Travel/POI: Rocky Mountain National Park (洛磯山國家公園), Colorado USA

The Rocky Mountains form one of the world’s longest ranges, stretching almost unbroken from Alaska to below the nation’s southern border. Rocky Mountain National Park preserves a small but important neighborhood within this range, spanning the Continental Divide and encompassing protected mountains, forests, and alpine tundra. Located in north-central Colorado, it's one of the highest national parks in the nation. The park is known for scenic drives like the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, which pass by aspen trees and rivers. It's also home to Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain, which features the challenging Keyhole Route climb crossing vertical rock faces. For easier exploration, a trail surrounding Bear Lake offers beautiful views of the peaks. With majestic mountain peaks, abundant wildlife, beautiful tundra wildflowers, and incredible outdoor adventures, many people flock to the park each year. It was ranked as the third most visited national park in 2015. On the National Parks Services (NPS) website, it shows reservations will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park from May 28 through October 11, 2021. Check the NPS website before planning your trip.

洛磯山脈是世界上最長的山脈之一，幾乎從阿拉斯加一直延伸到美國南部邊界，綿延不絕。洛磯山國家公園保護著這片山脈中雖小卻至關重要的區域，它橫跨大陸分水嶺，囊括了保護區山脈、森林和高山苔原。公園位於科羅拉多州中北部，是美國海拔最高的國家公園之一。公園以風景優美的自駕路線而聞名，例如步道山脊路（Trail Ridge Road）和老瀑河路（Old Fall River Road），在老瀑河路上沿途可見白楊樹和河流。公園內的最高峰－朗斯峰（Longs Peak），攀登朗斯峰的鑰匙孔路線（Keyhole Route）極具挑戰性，需要穿越垂直的岩壁。如果只想要輕鬆地探索，可以沿著環繞熊湖（Bear Lake）的步道欣賞群峰的壯麗景色。雄偉的山峰、豐富的野生動物、美麗的苔原野花以及很棒的戶外探險活動，每年都吸引著許多遊客前來遊覽。 2015 年，落磯山國家公園的遊客人數名列全美第三。美國國家公園管理局（NPS）網站顯示，2021 年 5 月 28 日至 10 月 11 日期間，進入洛磯山國家公園需提前預約。請在規劃行程前查看 NPS 網站。

Park Map
Click here for Interactive Park Map from National Park Service

Many Parks Curve 園林彎

When we visited Rocky Mountain National Park on May 20, 2021, access was limited. Some roads and areas were closed, either due to the effects of the devastating East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires of 2020, ongoing road construction, or the off-season. Consequently, we had limited places we could explore.

We stayed the previous night at Coyote Mountain Lodge in Estes Park. We drove into the park via US 36 and then followed US 34 (Trail Ridge Road), making our first stop at Many Parks Curve, which was the farthest point accessible at the time. According to the National Park Service (NPS) website, the Trail Ridge Road is typically closed from Many Parks Curve to the Colorado River Trailhead between mid-October and Memorial Day. This pull-out offers a scenic vista of 'many parks'—a term for the low-land meadows. From here, one can see the Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, and Horseshoe Park meadows set against the backdrop of Deer Mountain and Longs Peak.

2021 年 5 月 20 日，我們遊覽落磯山國家公園時，公園的通行受到限制。部分道路和區域因受到 2020 年破壞性極大的東部特拉布爾瑟姆山火和卡梅倫峰山火的影響，正在進行的道路施工或因淡季等原因而關閉。因此，我們能夠探索的地方非常有限。

前一晚我們住在埃斯蒂斯帕克(Estes Park)的郊狼山旅館 (Coyote Mountain Lodge)。我們沿著 36 號公路駛入公園，然後轉入 34 號公路(步道山脊路)，第一站是園林彎 (Many Parks Curve)，當時這裡是步道山脊路最遠可及之處。根據國家公園管理局 (NPS) 網站的信息，從 10 月中旬到陣亡將士紀念日期間，從園林彎到科羅拉多河步道起點 (Colorado River Trailhead) 的步道山脊路通常會封閉。在這個停車點可以欣賞到園林彎的壯麗景色——園林彎指的是低地草甸。從這裡可以看到莫雷恩公園 (Moraine Park)、上河狸草甸 (Upper Beaver Meadows) 和馬蹄公園草甸 (Horseshoe Park)，遠處是鹿山 (Deer Mountain) 和朗斯峰。

Photo Date: 2021.05.20

Rainbow Curve 彩虹彎

Although we had expected Trail Ridge Road to be closed, we were pleasantly surprised that a small section past Many Parks Curve was open, allowing us to visit the next viewpoint, Rainbow Curve. The wind there was incredibly strong; I felt as if I might be blown away! It instantly reminded me of the near-hurricane-level winds I experienced in Iceland—a unique and unforgettable memory.

Returning from that memory, Rainbow Curve rests right at the tree line, marking the transition between the alpine and subalpine ecosystems. From this vantage point, you can view Horseshoe Park, Deer Mountain, the Alluvial Fan, and the Mummy Mountain range. Rainbows are often seen here after a rain shower, which is how the location earned its name.

雖然我們預料到步道山脊路會封閉，但令我們訝異的是，過了園林彎後的一小段路竟然是開放的，這讓我們得以前往下一個觀景點——彩虹彎。那裡的風力驚人，我覺得自己隨時都會被吹走！這立刻讓我想起了在冰島經歷的近乎颶風級別的狂風——那是一段獨特而難忘的回憶。

從那段回憶中回過神來，彩虹彎恰好位於林線處，標誌著高山和亞高山生態系的過渡地帶。從這裡，您可以遠眺馬蹄公園、鹿山、沖積扇(Alluvial Fan)和木乃伊山脈(Mummy Mountain range)。由於雨後這裡常出現彩虹，彩虹彎也因此得名。

Hidden Valley 隱谷

Hidden Valley is home to the Junior Ranger Headquarters and is a fantastic spot for families to visit and enjoy a group picnic. Visitors can stroll along the 0.5-mile nature trail that gently winds through the valley alongside a flowing stream. Hidden Valley is particularly popular as it features the only sledding area in Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter season. The area typifies the park's boreal ecosystem, where you can easily spot spruce and fir trees.

隱谷是少年巡護員總部所在地，也是家庭遊玩和野餐的絕佳去處。遊客可以沿著蜿蜒於山谷的 0.5 英里自然步道漫步，步道旁有一條潺潺溪流。隱谷尤其受歡迎，因為這裡有落基山國家公園冬季唯一的雪橇滑道。這地區是公園典型的北方森林生態系統，隨處可見雲杉和冷杉。

Horseshoe Park 馬蹄公園

Horseshoe Park is a beautiful low-land meadow featuring small lakes and offering great views of the Mummy Mountain Range. This area is a key wetland sanctuary for a wide variety of birds and is home to iconic park residents like bighorn sheep and elk. With three designated pullouts, the park offers top-notch opportunities for wildlife viewing.

馬蹄公園是一片美麗的低地草甸，有著數個小型湖泊，並可飽覽木乃伊山脈的壯麗景色。這片區域是眾多鳥類的重要濕地保護區，也是公園標誌性動物大角羊和麋鹿的家。公園設有三個指定的停車點，為遊客提供了絕佳的野生動物觀賞機會。

Visitor Centers 遊客中心

Here are the main visitor centers in the park. We only stopped by the Fall River Visitor Center.

以下是園區內主要的遊客中心。我們只去了福爾里弗遊客中心。

Visitor Center	Key Features
Beaver Meadows	Located on the east side of park near the town of Estes Park on US 36. It is the park headquarters and the main entrance to the park. This small building was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and is in the national register of historic buildings. It offers easy road and trail access, exceptional views, and proximity to popular lake hikes, including the Bear Lake Road corridor. Many of the park's most visited destinations, including Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, and Bear Lake, are located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
Fall River	Located west of Estes Park on US 34. It is the newest visitor center and has a large exhibit featuring much of the wildlife that you will find in the national park. It serves as a gateway to the Old Fall River Road.
Kawuneeche	Located on the west side of park along US 34 near Grand Lake. This area is known for its wide meadows and excellent opportunities for viewing moose.
Alpine	Situated at high elevations along Trail Ridge Road. It is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System at 11,796 feet above sea level. This center is accessible via tundra trails and is famous for its spectacular, panoramic vistas.

遊客中心	主要特點
河狸草甸	位於公園東側，靠近埃斯蒂斯帕克鎮，毗鄰美國國道 36 號。這裡既是公園總部，也是公園的主要入口。這座小型建築由弗蘭克·賴特的學生設計，已被列入國家史蹟名錄。它交通便利，可輕鬆前往公路和步道，有絕佳的視野，並且靠近熱門的湖畔徒步路線，包括熊湖路沿線。園區內許多最熱門的景點，例如莫雷恩公園、斯普拉格湖和熊湖，都位於熊湖路沿線。
福爾里弗	位於埃斯蒂斯帕克以西，沿著美國國道 34 號即可抵達。它是最新的遊客中心，設有大型展覽，展示了國家公園內的大部分野生動物。它也是通往老福爾里弗路的出入口。
卡沃尼奇	位於公園西側，沿著美國國道 34 號，靠近格蘭德湖。這地區以廣闊的草地和絕佳的駝鹿觀賞機會而聞名。
高山	這遊客中心位於步道山脊路沿線的高海拔地區，海拔 11,796 英尺，是國家公園系統中海拔最高的遊客中心。遊客中心可透過苔原小徑抵達，並以其壯麗的全景而聞名。

On the way to Bear Lake 前往熊湖的路上

Bear Lake 熊湖

Bear Lake is a popular, year-round destination in Rocky Mountain National Park, resting at 9,449 feet. The beautiful alpine lake is framed by the sheer flanks of Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide. From here, you can launch into dozens of hiking adventures, with trails ranging from less than a mile to strenuous, full-day treks back into Glacier Gorge or Andrews Creek.

The Bear Lake Trail itself is a short 0.6-mile loop. Don't let the distance fool you, though. When we hiked it in May, the path was full of slushy ice, which made the walk treacherous. I was so glad my sister and her husband had walking sticks! They shared them, ensuring our safety so we could comfortably enjoy the views.

A word of caution: Because Bear Lake is so popular, getting in takes time. We waited on the road for about 30–40 minutes just to reach the parking lot, so plan accordingly!

熊湖是洛磯山國家公園內全年熱門的旅遊目的地，海拔 9,449 英尺（約 2,960 公尺）。這個美麗的湖泊被哈雷特峰(Hallett Peak)和美洲大陸分水嶺(Continental Divide)的陡峭山坡環繞。從這裡出發，您可以開啟數十條健行探險之旅，從不到一英里的短途步道到難度頗高的全天徒步可以返回冰川峽谷(Glacier Gorge)或安德魯斯溪(Andrews Creek)的路線，應有盡有。

熊湖步道本身就是一條很短的環形步道，只有 0.6 英里（約 1 公里）。不過，千萬別被它的距離騙了。我們五月去健行的時候，路面上全是濕滑的冰雪，走起來非常危險。幸好我妹妹和妹夫帶了登山杖！他們分給我們用，確保我們的安全，讓我們能安心地欣賞沿途的風景。

小小的提醒：由於熊湖非常熱門，進入湖邊需要等待一段時間。我們當時在路邊等了大約 30-40 分鐘才到達停車場，所以請提前做好計劃！

Nymph Lake 仙女湖

From the Bear Lake trailhead, we decided to extend our hike to visit Nymph Lake. This popular, accessible destination is just a 1-mile roundtrip trek rated as 'easy.' The trail is suitable for hiking and snowshoeing year-round, though it is best known for its abundance of lily pads in the summer and stunning mirror-like reflections.

從熊湖步道起點出發，我們決定走更遠些到仙女湖。這個熱門且容易到的景點往返僅 1 英里，被評為輕鬆路線。這條步道一年四季都適合健行和穿雪鞋行走，但它最著名的還是夏季遍布的睡蓮和如鏡般美麗的倒影。

We considered continuing on to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. However, seeing that the lakes were still frozen, we opted to turn back and explore other areas.

我們原本打算繼續前往夢湖(Dream Lake)和翡翠湖(Emerald Lake)。然而，看到湖面仍然結冰，我們決定返回去探索其他地方。

Lumpy Ridge 隆皮嶺

Lumpy Ridge is easily recognized by its prominent series of rocky cliffs, slabs, and buttresses. This area is famous both for its unique granite formations and its world-class rock climbing.

We opted for a peaceful 1.8-mile loop trail which was uncrowded and highly enjoyable. If you are looking for more adventure, the popular 3.1-mile Gem Lake Trail is a moderately difficult option that rewards hikers with spectacular views of the rock formations and the alpine lake. For a truly strenuous, longer experience, the 10.2-mile Lumpy Ridge Loop trail circles the formation, passing Gem Lake, Balanced Rock, and several backcountry campsites. Finally, experienced hikers have the option of tackling more challenging, off-trail routes, including ascending to the highest point of "The Needles."

隆皮嶺以其一系列突出的岩石峭壁、石板和山脊而易於辨認。這地區不僅以其獨特的花崗岩地形而聞名，也是世界級的攀岩勝地。

我們選擇了一條寧靜的 1.8 英里環形步道，人煙稀少，非常舒適。如果想體驗更刺激的徒步，可以嘗試頗受歡迎的 3.1 英里寶石湖(Gem Lake)步道，這條步道難度適中，沿途可以欣賞壯麗的岩層和高山湖泊景色。如果想挑戰更長的路線，可以嘗試 10.2 英里的隆皮嶺環線步道，這條步道環繞著整個岩層，途經寶石湖、平衡石(Balanced Rock)和幾個野外露營地。最後，經驗豐富的健行者還可以選擇更具挑戰性的非步道(off-trail)路線，例如攀登至「針峰」(The Needles)的最高點。