April Centennial Events

Year-round Activities

RMNP Centennial Ranger Programs
These FREE talks, walks, and evening programs with a ranger are offered throughout the year and celebrate the wilderness, wildlife, and wonder of our Centennial. Please consult our park newspaper or our ranger programs page to find out what is being offered during your visit.

Celebrate our Centennial with the Colorado Mountain Club (Starting September 2014)
The Colorado Mountain Club was instrumental in the formation of Rocky Mountain National Park 100 years ago. Original members participated in a 1914 pack trip organized to give Arapaho names to area peaks and features in an effort to help persuade Congree to establish Rocky Mountain National Park. James Grafton Rodgers, who began lobbying for designation as a national park in 1907, became the first president of the Colorado Mountain Club in 1912. Cut and paste this web address into your browser for details: http://www.cmc.org/About/YearoftheMountaineer/RMNPCentennial.aspx.

• Climbs, Hikes, and Snowshoes of 100 of the 125 Named Peaks in the Park
• 100 Mile Hike Combo
• Wildflower Hikes led by Colorado Native Plant Masters

YMCA of the Rockies Centennial Hikes (Starting September 2014)
TheYMCA of the Rockies has been leading educational excursions into Rocky Mountain National Park since the park's creation in 1915. Come enjoy the beauty and backcountry of the park with one of their talented hike-leaders. Fees: Free for YMCA guests, $20 day pass required for non-YMCA guests. Cut and paste this web address into your browser for details: http://www.y-hikes.com/index.html.

Climb On! - an exhibit (September 26, 2014 - October 4, 2015)
Join us at the Estes Park Museum (200 Fourth Street, Estes Park) and experience the vertical side of Estes Park, home to some of the nation's most spectacular rock climbing. Granite boulders, sub-alpine crags, and high mountain walls make the Estes valley and surrounding high peaks a world class training ground for elite and amateur climbers alike. Learn about ascending rocky terrain and how individuals pioneered local routes that pushed the limits of gravity. 10am - 5pm daily. Free admission.

Grand Lake Chamber and Visitor Center 100th Anniversary Activities (Starting September 2014)
Starting in September 2014 and continuing through September 2015, the Grand Lake Chamber and Visitor Center will be offering activities for all ages.

• 100th Anniversary Children's Coloring Map (with Crayon Pack): Young visitors will enjoy this way to explore the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park and learn unique details of the park's history.
• Grand Lake "Then and Now" Walking Tour: This self-guided walking tour starts at the Grand Lake Chamber and Visitor Center and highlights many of the locations that RMNP visitors have enjoyed throughout the years. Visitors will find, in store fronts, photographic examples of Grand Lake's tourist destinations - then and now.

Across the Divide Geo-Tour, a Centennial GeoAdventure
Looking for a new, fun way to spend the day in Estes Park, Grand Lake, and Rocky Mountain National Park? Starting March 1, come experience this FREE Family Fun GPS treasure hunt! 50 Geocaches (EarthCaches, virtual caches, and traditional caches) in Estes Park, Grand Lake, and RMNP relating to the Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder and RMNP's Centennial history take you from town to town and across the Continental Divide (when Trail Ridge Road is open). Whether you are new to geo-caching or are a geo-caching expert, this tour is a fun and challenging adventure for the whole family. Find 10, 35, or 50 geocaches and earn different souvenir commemorative coins. Find out more at the Grand Lake or Estes Park Visitor Centers, the Across the Divide GeoTour Facebook page, or cut and past the following website into your browser: www.geocaching.com/play/geotours/across-the-divide.

 

	April 2015 Events
Today - July 31, 2015	Registration for Vacation Races' Rocky Mountain Half Marathon Location: Estes Park, CO Details: Register with Vacation Races for this beautiful half marathon in the Town of Estes Park. Event though the course is entirely outside the park, the entire run has spectacular views of Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, and local features to inspires you as you run. To find out more informatino or to register visit www.therockymountainhalf.com
Today - September 1, 2015	Registration for Vacation Races' 100th Anniversary Virtual Race - 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon Location: ANYWHERE! Details: Register with Vacation Races for this run virtual race. What is a virtual race? A virtual race sets the distance and the day, and you get to pick the location. Pick your distance (5K, 10K, or Half Marathon), register, run that distance between September 1-7, log your time and race conditions on the website, and receive a race t-shirt, race medal, and fun prizes. Celebrate our Centennial whereever you are by running with us! For more details or to register, visit www.therockymountainhalf.com/rocky-mountain-100th-anniversary-virtual-race/
January 24 - May 2, 2015	Harold Dunning's World View Location: Loveland Museum, Loveland, CO Details: Harold Dunning was a collector and the founder of the Loveland History Museum, which is now the Loveland Museum/Gallery. Dunning was also an avid outdoorsman who climbed Longs Peak over 100 times! Recently, Dunning's family donated many of his personal items and photos, several of them reflecting the time he spent in Rocky Mountain National Park. This exhibit will also feature accompanying programs about Dunning and also about climbing and hiking in the park.
March 21 - September 4 (and beyond!)	RMNP Centennial Exhibit Location: History Colorado, Denver, CO Details: This exhibit explores the many ways that people have connected with the landscape of Rocky Mountain National Park over time. Come see how your experiences fit into history of people in the park!
April 25, 2015	Earth Day/National Junior Ranger Day Time: 10am - 2pm Location: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Details: Join park staff and community partners to celebrate Earth Day and National Junior Ranger Day with special booths, arts and crafts activities, ranger programs and greenhouse tours. Learn more about how to take care of our national parks and Rocky Mountain National Park. There might even be birthday cake! Click here for a schedule of the day's activities.
April 27, 2015	Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History A Ranger's Mountain Rescues with Keith Lober Time: 7pm Location: Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth Street, Estes Park, CO Details: For several decades, a small group of men and women made history exploring and ascending the summits surrounding the Estes Valley. This hardy group paved the way for others to pursue the challenges of our alluring landscapes. In 2013 and 2014, the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library gathered their inspiring stories. This January through June, a monthly series will feature special guests from among the 18 local climbers and mountaineers who were interviewed for the Climbers' Oral History Project. These monthly talks will be held at the Estes Park Museum in conjunction with the museum's "Climb On!" exhibition celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park.