Artworks inspired by this location

Whether you are a fan of majestic mountain peaks, flowery alpine meadows, or crystal clear lakes and streams, Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. The wide range in elevation provides a diverse variety of habitats, climates, and scenery. There are 113 named peaks in the park, the tallest of which is Longs Peak, at 14.255 feet. The climb to the top is a grueling 16-mile round trip with an elevation gain of 4,700 feet. I attempted it once, didn't make it to the top, but I certainly didn't regret the climb as I enjoyed the scenery on the way down.

For a less strenuous adventure, the Trail Ridge Road scenic drive through the park climbs to a height of 12,183 feet and offers incredible views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. You may see elk and bighorn sheep, and the birdwatching throughout the park is excellent for spotting Rocky Mountain species. The area in around RMNP is a paradise for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, with many camping facilities, fishing spots, and 360 miles of hiking trails.

The nearest city is Estes Park, a typical touristy mountain town of crowded streets lined with shops and restaurants. It's a nice place to visit after you've been tramping up a mountain all day and just want a piece of pizza.

Denver is about two hours south of Estes Park. Downtown Denver is a great place to spend a weekend. There are several blocks of pedestrian streets with lots of great restaurants and clubs and all sorts of live music playing every night. It's basically a clean, safe urban center where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. Also downtown is the Denver Art Museum. I remember this museum primarily for its great collection of landscape art, ranging from traditional grandiose Western vistas by the likes of Moran and Bierstadt to more unconventional interpretaions by contemporary artists.

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All artwork and photographs in this site ©Karl Janssen, unless otherwise noted.
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