Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stewart L. Udall, Secretary
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conrad L. Wirth, Director
NATURAL HISTORY HANDBOOK NUMBER THREE
This publication is one of a series of handbooks explaining the natural history of scenic and scientific areas in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C., 20401
Price 35 cents
By Edwin C. Alberts
NATURAL HISTORY HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 3 Washington, D.C., 1954 (Revised 1963)
No. 1. Olympic National Park No. 2. Badlands National Monument No. 3. Rocky Mountain National Park No. 4. Saguaro National Monument No. 5. Great Smokey Mountains National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park, established on January 26, 1915, and containing about 410 square miles, is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The National Park System, of which this park is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people.
A superintendent is in immediate charge of Rocky Mountain National Park, with headquarters in Estes Park village on the east side of the park. Address communications to the Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, Box 1086, Estes Park, Colo.
Created in 1849, the Department of the Interior—America’s Department of Natural Resources—is concerned with the management, conservation, and development of the Nation’s water, wildlife, mineral, forest, and park and recreational resources. It also has major responsibilities for Indian and territorial affairs.
Edwin C. Alberts
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Administration
America’s Natural Resources
Contents
THE MOUNTAINS ARE MADE
THE WORK OF GLACIERS
THE MOUNTAINS ARE MANTLED WITH PLANTS
PLANT COMMUNITIES
Below 9,000 Feet
The Middle Belt
Above Treeline
ANIMAL LIFE
Hoofed Mammals
Predatory Mammals
Gnawing Mammals
Coldblooded Vertebrates
Birds
MAN IN THE ROCKIES
CLIMATE
PARK SEASON
WHAT TO DO
Automobile Trips
Trail Trips
SUGGESTED READINGS
APPENDIX A—GUIDE TO MAMMAL OBSERVATION
APPENDIX B—GUIDE TO BIRD OBSERVATION
APPENDIX C—COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS
Trees and Shrubs
Wildflowers
Transcriber’s Notes