February Centennial Events

Year-round Activities

RMNP Centennial Ranger Programs
Starting in Summer 2014, these FREE talks, walks, and evening programs with a ranger are offered throughout the year. Please consult our park newspaper when you arrive for ranger programs 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.
• Grand Lake Geo-cache Adventure: Come experience this FREE Family Fun GPS treasure hunt using the Grand Lake Geocaching Challenge Passport that is available at the Grand Lake Visitors Center. Caches are located throughout the Grand Lake area and highlight many of the historical sights and attractions which have existed during the past 100 years of the park. Complete the Challenge and receive a Commemorative Coin (Wooden Nickel). Additionally, more than 35 Earth and Virtual Caches located in Rocky Mountain National Park are listed in the Passport.

Centennial and RMNP Information at The Old Gallery (starting September 2014)
Visitors traveling into the RMNP area of the Peak to Peak Highway (Rt. 7) can stop at The Old Gallery (14862 Peak to Peak Highway, Allenspark, CO) for park information and promotional materials.

 

	February 2015 Events
January 24 - March 29, 2015	History as Art: In Three Parts Part Three: Rocky Mountain National Park Location: Loveland Museum, Loveland, CO Details: Interpreting historical objects through the use of art can promote engagement with creative and critical thinking. Using objects from the Rocky Mountain National Park museum collection, artists will interpret the objects through their artwork and the park's rich 100 year past.
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.
February 7, 2015	Grand Lake Winter Carnival 2015 presents Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder Time: 9:30am - midnight Location: Grand Lake Main Street Details: Come join in on the fun at the Grand Lake Winter Carnival! This year's events include Tea Pot Curling, Snow Golf, a Snow Sculpture Contest, Bed Sled Races, Human Bowling, and much, more more! A Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder Parade at 12:30pm and Ball at 8pm will celebrate the park's 100th Anniversary. Don't miss out on the fun! Click here for a schedule of events.
February 7, 2015	Centennial Saturday Night: an Evening of Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder Sparks, Smoke, and Silver Linings Time: 7pm Location: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium Details: Join a ranger for a fun 45 minute program that highlights wilderness, wildlife, and wonder found in the park year round! This week features a historic look at how fire has affected the wilderness and wildlife of Rocky Mountain National Park over the last 100 years.
February 14, 2015	The Living Dream: 100 Years of Rocky Mountain National Park Time: 7pm Location: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium Details: Bring your valentine and join us for a showing of the new Nick Molle Production - The Living Dream: 100 Years of Rocky Mountain National Park. This 1.5 hour documentary explores the history of Rocky Mountain National Park and celebrates its 100th Anniversary. This showing is limited to 150 people. To comply with safety regulations, once the seating in the auditorium is full, the event will be closed.
February 21, 2015	Centennial Saturday Night: an Evening of Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder An Evening with Isabella Bird Time: 7pm Location: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium Details: Join a ranger for a fun 45 minute program that highlights wilderness, wildlife, and wonder found in the park year round! In celebration of our Centennial and Women's History Month, come hear about the exciting life of Isabella Bird, world traveler, writer, and one of RMNP's earliest female adventurers. Throughout her life, Englishwoman Isabella Bird accomplished somehting women of her time would rarely consider or be allowed to do - traveled the world by herself. Hear the tales of her adventures to Estes Park and Longs Peak during this first person interpretation.
February 23, 2015	Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History 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.
February 28, 2015	Centennial Saturday Night: an Evening of Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder Mountain Lions: Magic and Mystery Time: 7pm Location: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium Details: Join a ranger for a fun 45 minute program that highlights wilderness, wildlife, and wonder found in the park year round! Here in Colorado, the number of mountian lion-human interactions is on the rise. In this program, we'll discuss some of the reasons for this increase and offer some hints on what to do if you do encounter a cougar in the wild. We'll explore the life of the mountain lion, from kitten to adult: What does it need to survive? What are we learning about this fascinating animal? What effect are we having on it through our activities? Join Ranger Kathy for an evening of wild beauty!