PART 4 IN OUR SERIES OF GALLERY PHOTOS OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGES OF THE WORLD – WE HIGHLIGHT THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

The Rocky Mountains stretch some 3,000 miles from British Columbia and Alberta in Canada through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and down to New Mexico in the U.S. The range offers dramatic wilderness, diverse wildlife and alpine lakes. Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is traversed by numerous hiking trails and the famously scenic Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile highway that reaches a high point of 12,183ft.

The Rocky Mountains is the second longest range in the world and the longest mountain range in North America. Due to its massive land area, Rocky Mountains manages to supply around ¼ of the United States’ water. Above all, because of its incredible length, the Rocky Mountain stands between the United States and Canada.

The Rocky Mountains are definitely some of the mountains in the world with most variety. The above photo of Zion’s Canyon’s Angels Landing area is one of the most photographed places in the world. The entire area of Southern Utah, part of the Rocky Mountains, has this unique red stone mountains, in very strange and beautiful storms. The very top photo showing the mighty arch of Arches National Park, is also so unique.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UTAH: Sculpted over millions of years, this red rock landscape is nature’s masterpiece. Its collection of thousands of arches attracts curious visitors from all over the world. There are four different categories of arches to look for: cliff wall arches, free-standing arches, pothole arches, and natural bridges. Some of the most famous arches in Arches National Park are free-standing or classic arches. Delicate Arch is the most popular (it’s even on the Utah license plate!) and is a favorite place to watch the sunset. The three-mile round trip hike is well worth the views of the Colorado River and La Sal Mountains perfectly framed by the arch. There is over 2000 arches in the park itself. It will astonish even the casual observer.

Landscape Arch is a must-see feature in Arches National Park. The impressive gravity-defying ribbon of rock spans 306-feet across and the narrowest point is only six feet thick. The hike to Landscape Arch is an easy two-mile out-and-back trail in the Devil’s Garden section of the park.

There are 5 National Parks in Utah (only California and Alaska have more) and another 11 national monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas. Plus, Utah has far less distance to cover to visit them all than California or Alaska. Utah is home to 5 of the best national parks—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—collectively known as the Mighty Five.

The Rocky Mountains also include the famous: Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Tetons

Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sq.-mile wilderness recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.

Yellowstone is home to more than 500 active geysers (more than half the world’s geysers).

Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states (67 species).

Grand Tetons:

Grand Teton National Park is a beautiful and rugged park located in Wyoming, in the United States. It covers over 310,000 acres of land and is home to the Teton Range, a group of towering, jagged peaks that rise dramatically from the surrounding plains.

The park is located in the Rocky Mountains and features a diverse landscape, including forests of pine and spruce trees, alpine meadows, and crystal clear streams and lakes. The park is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, bighorn sheep, and moose.

Grand Teton, located at 13,775 feet is the highest point of the Teton Range and the second highest peak in the U.S. state of Wyoming after Gannett Peak.

OTHER AMAZING PHOTOS OF THE “ROCKY MOUNTAINS”

In February 2002, Utah threw a party—a huge party, the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Thousands of athletes from 77 countries traveled to Salt Lake City and nearby areas to compete in 78 different events, and fans from Utah and the world came for the show.

The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to approximately 400 bighorn sheep – the largest wild sheep found in North America. Due to their presence in the Rockies, they’ve become known as the National Park’s symbol. Keep your eyes peeled for them in May and June. That’s when you’re most likely to catch a glimpse of them.

With such varying landscapes spread across the Rocky Mountain region, one of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park is to make sure you come back! The micro-climates you can expect to experience – depending on the area and the time of year that you visit – can jump from glacial, to alpine, right through to dry desert heat.

In fact, the Rocky Mountains climate differs so much that the highest ever recorded temperature was 35°C, while the lowest recorded temperature was -39°C.

Since the Rocky Mountains climate can be so unpredictable, remember to pack appropriately for the area you’ll be visiting. If you’re planning on exploring the lakes and climbing you’ll need to think about insect protection clothing, as well as insulating fleeces and jackets.