HIKE ROCKY magazine, April, 2021

HIKE ROCKY m a ga z i n e Vol. I, Issue 5 April, 2021

a publication of

HIKE ROCKY The streams and rivers are star ng to flow stronger again. Patches of wildflowers can be seen here and there. Willows and aspens have catkins on their branches. And there’s several inches of snow on the ground, with wintery clouds overhead and more snow predicted. This is Spring at the foot of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Like the grass shoots that poke their heads up above ground, spring is slow to come. But our spring snows are cri cal moisture for our otherwise arid summers.

At le , , a male mountain bluebird fluffs up against the cold during a Spring snow. Cover Photo: Pasque flowers bloom in Rocky, a sure sign of Spring. Both photos by Darlene Bushue, April’s front cover photo contest winner.

Like spring itself, our April issue is full of hope.

Wildflower wizard, Marlene Borneman, offers us a tantalizing look at the early spring bloomers and gives us another name-that-flower game. This issue, we welcome writer Jason Van Tatenhove to the Hike Rocky team. He expertly shares with us a couple of ecology reports, one on the status of willow habitat in the Park, and another the moose that rely on them. And avian aficionado Sco Rashid li s our spirits with a discussion of the great horned owl.

Her statement: “For me, photography is more than a way of making memories - it is a means of preserving beau ful moments in my life and allowing others to go on a journey with me. I draw my inspira on from being in the mountains and internalize a saying I came across in my travels to the Canadian Rockies years ago, “Mountains bring peace to the people.” That inspira on is what drew me to Rocky Mountain Na onal Park over four years ago now. Living just miles from the na onal park, I keep coming back to familiar places to discover fresh new angles and composi ons, and I'm never sure exactly what I will come home with. Those familiar places or some mes even everyday scenery can be transformed into something extraordinary under the right condi ons. The greatest reward for me as a photographer is when a viewer connects with an image emo onally: when they say they wish they had been there to experience what they see and feel when they view my photographs. It is my pleasure to share these places and unique moments with you.” darlenebushuephotography.com facebook.com/darlenebushuephotography

Have you ever considered having a hot meal while on your hike? Dehydrated meals connoisseur Murray Selleck dishes up a delectable survey of meals and the companies that offer them. Meanwhile, our editor extraordinaire, Barb Boyer Buck features a profile of photographer-ar st Rick Mar nez and his vision of the world that is Rocky. I display my own perspec ve of an emerging spring with a photo essay on ice and water.

Our Trail of the Month features the newly reconstructed and accessible Alluvial Fan trail, and we deliver RMNP Updates. Meanwhile, we have several reader-submi ed photos throughout the magazine.

And VIDEOS! Did I men on we are now featuring VIDEOS to complement many of our ar cles? At last count, we have six videos in this months issue! ENJOY!

Dave Rusk, Publisher

HIKE ROCKY Magazine is a publication of Barefoot Enterprises, LLC, and RockyMountainDayHikes.com, Estes Park, Colorado.

HikeRockyMagazine@gmail.com Volume 1, Issue 5, April 15, 2021 Copyright 2021, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Publisher: Dave Rusk Managing Editor: Barb Boyer Buck Copy Editor: Sybil Barnes Sales: Cynthia Elkins Contributors to the January, 2021 edition: Scott Rashid, Marlene M. Borneman, Barb Boyer Buck, Dave Rusk, Murray Selleck, Jason Van Tatenhove, Brad Manard, Darlene Bushue, Pamela Johnson.

a note from the managing editor Welcome to a new edi on of HIKE ROCKY online magazine! As we se le into con nuing spring snows, there’s lots more to celebrate about the season.

Wildflowers, greening vegeta on, birds nes ng, and ice mel ng into peaceful running streams are all part of the ac on of this tumultuous and special me in Rocky.

This month includes the premiere of ART IN ROCKY, a new series profiling the people who get their inspira ons from RMNP as they create art.

our story

we’re both photographers, so we decided to give it a go. Since then, many other local and regional people have joined our efforts, including Marlene Borneman, author of several wildflower and hiking books; Sco Rashid, director of the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilita on Ins tute, Murray Selleck (our “west-side correspondent”), a specialist in outdoor equipment and supplies. This month, we are pleased to welcome Jason Van Tatenhove, a professional ar st, journalist, and writer to our team. Cynthia Elkins has just joined us to work on sales, and Sybil Barnes is our copy editor.

Barb Boyer Buck at Bierstadt Lake.

cover photo contest Each month, we will feature a cover photo from a photographer who lives and breathes Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Photo submissions must be received by the end of the month to be considered for the following month’s cover. The photo must have been taken in Rocky, not previously published (except for social media), and be seasonal.

Dave Rusk skiing at Hidden Valley

Dave Rusk and I are long- me friends and colleagues who love Rocky Mountain Na onal Park.

Last fall, I approached Dave (for whom I had been doing social media management for his website, Rocky Mountain Day Hikes) about star ng an online magazine.

Dave has the hiking exper se and I have the graphic design, layout, wri ng, and edi ng experience, and

The winner will receive a cash prize, free access to the edi on that features his or her photo, and online promo on.

A hint about what we are looking for to grace our cover every month is included in our weekly email blast.

To sign up for no fica ons, visit: h p://rockymountaindayhikes.com/hike-rocky-emailno fica on-page.html - Barb Boyer Buck, Managing Editor, HIKE ROCKY

table of contents

click on any of the links below to be taken straight to the story

Can you identify these spring wildowers? a quiz by Marlene M. Borneman

RMNP UPDATES

A new timed-entry reservation system set to start May 28, and other RMNP news, compiled by Barb Boyer Buck

HIKE ROCKY

Trail of the Month: New, accessible trail at Alluvian Fan Good eatin’ in the the backcountry, by Murray Selleck

ART IN ROCKY

More than what you see, a prole of photographic artist Rick Martinez, by Barb Boyer Buck

FEATURES Feature Photo: Receding snow along the banks of the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley, by Pamela Johnson The great horned owl, by Scott Rashid Update on RMNP’s moose population, by Jason Van Tatenhove Rocky BLOOMS, by Marlene Borneman Rehabilitating riparian habitat, by Jason Van Tatenhove Water and Ice, a photo-essay, by Dave Rusk

Coming next month in HIKE ROCKY

Spring Wildower Identication a quiz by Marlene Borneman, inspired by the Colorado Na ve Plants Society These six Spring wildflowers can be found in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. See if you can figure out what they are, based on these closeup pictures. Sprinkled throughout this issue are the answers. Check out our wildflower guide to help you iden fy these!

RMNP UPDATES

Fatality at Many Parks Curve, and visitation access restrictions Photo of the view from Many Parks Curve by Barb Boyer Buck.

This has been a busy month for Rocky with lots of informa on about visita on management programs; there has also been a falling fatality in late March.

Therefore, the following are reprints of the press releases issued by RMNP. Embedded in this ar cle is a video of the live Estes Park Town Board mee ng where the new pilot reserva on system was explained.

PRESS RELEASE, 3/18/2021: Overnight Backpacking Camping Permits in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, for July through October 2021, will be a random drawing Informa on on how to enter the random drawing can be found at: Wilderness Camping - Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Park visitors who would like to be considered for an overnight backpacking camping permit for July through October 2021, can enter a random drawing. These submi ed names will be randomized and drawn for access to the online reserva on request applica on. If the visitor's name is drawn, the visitor will be granted access to the reserva on request applica on and may then submit a trip request(s) for July through October, 2021.

Instruc ons on how to enter the drawing are found in the link above. This drawing submission is not a race, will be selected randomly, not in the order received,

and can be done between now un l Sunday, March 21, at 5:00 PM mountain me. On Tuesday morning, March 23, the park will randomize and draw the first group of names and send those individuals an email with instruc ons on how to complete the reserva on request applica on.

There is the poten al for further names to be drawn. There will be no need to submit a name again for subsequent drawings as names will be drawn from the original applicants. The ming of future drawings will be based on the volume of applicants.

PRESS RELEASE, 3/31/2021: Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Will Begin Pilot Timed Entry Permit Reserva ons , May 28 Through October 11 Rocky Mountain Na onal Park will be implemen ng a new pilot temporary med entry permit reserva on system beginning on May 28, 2021. Park staff are managing for significant increases in visita on to public lands in Colorado, including Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, along with con nued Covid-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges, reduced shu le bus capacity and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020.

There will be two types of reserva ons available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which will include the en re corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reserva on period will be from 5 am to 6 pm. The second permit will be for the rest of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reserva on period will be from 9 am to 3 pm. Permits issued using the reserva on system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reserva on system will apply to all areas of the park.

Reserva ons to enter the park will go on sale through www.recrea on.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Saturday, May 1. Reserva ons will be available to enter the park from May 28 through June 30. The next release will be on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June. On July 1, reserva ons will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July. On August 1, reserva ons will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.

On September 1, reserva ons will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked. Ini ally, 25 percent of permits will be held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. through recrea on.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.

This year’s pilot reserva on system allows for a greater number of reserva ons per day. Reserva ons will be based on approximately 75 percent to 85 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. Last year’s system was based on approximately 60 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. This system spreads use throughout

A slide from the Town Board presenta on, explaining the visita on in 2019 and 2020.

Watch the en re special Estes Park Town of Estes Park mee ng held on March 29, at which Rocky officials explain the pilot visita on access program and long-range plans to manage visita on to the town board.

the park to be er u lize all parking/trailhead areas.

This system will be adaptable to changes in visita on trends and public health concerns.

Last year, a er being closed for two months amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Rocky Mountain Na onal Park reopened in late May and was the first na onal park in the country to implement a temporary med entry permit system to increase park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with health guidelines. That med entry permit system ended on October 12, 2020.

In 2020, Rocky Mountain Na onal Park was the fourth most visited na onal park in the country with a 28 percent increase in visita on in November and a 38 percent increase in visita on in December over those months in 2019.

In February, to protect the health of those who live, work, and visit na onal parks and Na onal Park Service (NPS) facili es, and in support of President Biden’s Execu ve Order on Protec ng the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing the NPS implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors. At Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, face masks are required in all park buildings and facili es.

Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, parking lots, pull-offs and overlooks.

When recrea ng, park visitors should follow local area and federal health orders, maintain social distance and avoid high-risk outdoor ac vi es. Please do not visit if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19.

Park staff will con nue to monitor all park func ons to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mi ga ng risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any addi onal steps necessary to protect public health.

Keep your distance. Give others plenty of room whether you are on a trail or in a parking lot. If staying at least six feet from others is not possible, a mask is required. Face masks are required in all park buildings and facili es.

Keep it with you. If you brought it, take it with you.

Trash pickup and restroom facili es may be limited in many park areas. Follow Leave No Trace principles.

Know your limits. Rocky Mountain Na onal Park is one of the busiest search and rescue parks in the country.

Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions.

Details and updates on park opera ons and services will con nue to be posted on the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/romo through social media @RockyNPS or call the park’s Informa on Office at (970) 586-1206.

PRESS RELEASE, 3/31/2021: Falling Fatality Near Many Parks Curve In Rocky Mountain Na onal Park This a ernoon, a 33-year-old male from Denver, Colorado took an approximate 50-foot fall near Many Parks Curve along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. The fall occurred on a rock outcropping between the upper and lower parking areas at Many Parks Curve. The man’s body was transferred to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office.

The man’s name will be released a er immediate family have been no fied. No further informa on will be released at this me.

TRAIL OF THE MONTH

The Alluvial Fan Trailhead: West Alluvial Fan Parking Area Trailhead Eleva on: 8,583' Des na on Eleva on: 8,621' Total Eleva on Gain: 38' Total Roundtrip Miles: 0.2 This month we are featuring the newly reconstructed Alluvial Fan trail. This fully accessible trail was rebuilt star ng in the spring of 2019 and was completed last September.

The fan was formed a er an earthen dam upriver at Lawn Lake gave way in 1982, sending a wall of water

Click on the video above to see a short feature on the Alluvial Fan!

From the east parking lot, the trail has some steep grade, but speed bumps were installed to assist the wheelchair-bound.

down the Roaring River that displaced the landscape.

This flood brought large boulders and rocks down with it, and eventually flooded downtown Estes Park on a sunny July day. The trail travels over the boulderfield the flood le behind.

The trail suffered flood damage in 2013 when a historical storm washed away the bridge crossing the Roaring River and much of the asphalt trail. It was me to create a trail that could withstand extreme condi ons and be truly accessible. The trail itself makes Approaching the main viewing pla orm from the west.

The east and west sec ons of the trail are connected with a wooden bridge over the Roaring River.

The trail leading from the west parking lot meanders a bit, but has a grade not exceeding 8.33%

The main viewing pla orm for the Alluvial Fan.

use of FilterPave porous material allowing water to drain through yet creates a durable surface for wheelchair users.

The trail connects the east and west parking areas with a bridge over the Roaring River and a side trail to an overlook area that offers spectacular views of the Horseshoe Falls, Endovalley, and the surrounding peaks.

The trail grade is not as steep (max=8.33%) when star ng at the West Parking area.

Good eatin’ in the backcountry

By Murray Selleck Yes, this is an ar cle about dehydrated meals ideal for backpacking and even day hiking. No, this is not an ar cle about me pretending to be a food cri c. I know li le about fancy dinners that have been “though ully propor oned,” “gracefully shaped,” “intelligently seasoned,” or are “quietly fes ve” as a professional food cri c recently wrote for the New York Times. I won’t pretend for a moment to claim that what I gulp down to fill my hungry stomach will sa sfy another’s refined palate.

I do know a thing or two about dragging my brainweary-bone- red body into camp a er a long day on a rocky mountain trail and what it takes to pull together dinner before complete collapse makes the task impossible. On days like those, if being capable of boiling water and not falling asleep for the brief me it takes to re-hydrate a dehydrated meal is all the skill set required - then I will self-proclaim myself a master chef, or perhaps, magician.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of dehydrated dinners, appe zers, and deserts to select. And there are countless though ul, crea ve, and responsible companies producing these culinary delights.

Rather than nit-pick different meals through flavors and textures I’d like to offer glimpses into four companies who are really making a difference through their ingredient sourcing, sustainability, packaging, and altruism.

Patagonia Provisions www.patagoniaprovisions.com Patagonia Provisions began in 2012 but its widespread availability to retailers is rela vely new. With all things Patagonia, their impact and influence are mighty.

It’s mesmerizing to explore their website learning about regenera ve organic farming, perusing their recipe page (ie., Avocado Toast with Wild Salmon and Turmeric Egg which I recently made for dinner at home), and doing a bunch of menu planning and trip dreaming, as well.

What are some of the tasty meals and treats you can supplement your menu from Patagonia Provisions?

Lemon Pepper Wild Sockeye Salmon, Savory Sofrito Mussels, Organic Spicy Red Bean Chili, Organic Tsampa Soup, Organic Apricot & Almond Bars, Organic Red Raspberry Breakfast Grains...

The one thing to remember with Patagonia Provisions are many of their meals you will have to cook in a pot or pan and not in the bag they come in. Hint: Read the

cooking instruc ons.

Patagonia is a Cer fied B Corpora on and gives 1% For The Planet. Their sourcing partnership list is inspiring and gives us hope for our planet. (www.patagoniaprovisions.com/pages/partnerships) Personally, I feel good consuming and suppor ng Patagonia Provision foods. Theirs is a global effort sourcing food and spices from Argen na, Spain, Costa Rica, Canada, Nicaragua, and states within the USA. Oh, and they also produce a Long Root Pale Ale with partners in Oregon. Cheers!

Backpacker’s Pantry

Watch Murray Selleck prepare and enjoy Patagonia Provisions’ Spicy Red Bean Chili in this exclusive video. Just click above.

www.backpackerspantry.com Local heroes, Backpacker’s Pantry, is based just down the road from Estes Park in Boulder, Colorado.

I don’t mind telling you one of my favorite meals is their Pad Thai with Chicken. The Sriracha packet is separate so you can add just the right amount of heat. For my taste I go with just enough Sriracha so I can feel my scalp ghten and nose sniffle... just right.

Backpacker’s Pantry has been producing meals since

1953. Their offices and produc on facility are 100% wind powered. Plus, they are adding solar polar to their energy consump on mix to become 120% energy efficient with the goal of becoming completely energy neutral.

Their cook and eat-out-of-the packaging is recycled and recyclable. They partner with 1% For The Planet and the Conserva on Alliance along with numerous grass root non-profits.

Backpacker’s Pantry has donated tons of food to disaster relief and they support many grass roots environmental non-profits. Your Backpacker’s Pantry dollars are suppor ng both na onal and local agriculture and environmental efforts.

I wrote their Pad Thai with Chicken is one of my favorites but BP’s meal selec on is extensive. It includes Shepherd’s Potato Stew with Beef, Chana Masala, Chiang Mai Coconut Curry with Beef and comfort food like 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese, Lasagna, Pasta Primavera, and Dark Chocolate Cheesecake.

I can hardly wait to go hiking and camping again just so I can eat!

her recipes. Heather’s Choice meals don’t just provide calories to get us through our adventures but they supply complete nutri on that helps our bodies perform at their best.

Heather’s Choice offers great tas ng dinners and breakfasts that include Grass Fed Bison Chili, Smoked Sockeye Salmon Chowder, African Peanut Stew, and Buckwheat Blueberry Cinnamon Breakfast. Her Packaroons are an extra special treat, as well.

These coconut based cookies are one of the first “energy bars” I felt that provided me with energy to burn rather than just something to eat to sa sfy a hunger craving.

One other thing you’ll no ce about Heather’s Choice is the packaging. It is quite a bit smaller and efficient compared to the compe on. These meals will take up less room in your pack or bear vault.

Backpacker’s Pantry offerings include vegan, vegetarian, non GMO, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, and gluten-free op ons. Yes, they have just about everyone’s pala e and diets taken into considera on.

Good to Go goodto-go.com Good to Go has just been awarded 2021 Backpacker’s Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for their Chicken Pho. The even be er news is this isn’t the first me Good to Go has won this award. Let’s just say delicious has its own rewards!

Heather’s Choice www.heatherschoice.com Based in Anchorage Alaska, Heather’s Choice just may be the biggest li le packable meal company you may not have heard of. One of the most unique things about Heather’s Choice is the founder, Heather Kelly, is educated as a Evolu onary Nutri onist and furthered her studies at the Ins tute for the Psychology of Ea ng.

Her knowledge about nutri onal science is the basis for

Good to Go is based in Ki ery, Maine. Co-owner and Head Chef, Jennifer Scism, has a strong history of working in a few highly rated restaurants back East.

However, her love for outdoor adventures set her on a different career path - and Good to Go is here to stay.

Herbed Mushroom Riso o, Bibimbap, Chicken Gumbo, and New England Corn Chowdah are just a few of the entree op ons.

Good to Go offers 2 serving and convenient single serving dinners. They include gluten-free, vegetarian,

and vegan op ons.

Jennifer’s focus is offering the best ingredients to create the best tas ng, most flavorful, and closest to homemade dinners as possible.

The awards are stacking up. Perhaps it’s me to try some Good to Go! These are only four of the many businesses crea ng lightweight, easy to cook meals for backpacking. These four are the ones I hold in high regard. Think of these meals not only as backpacking meals but perfect for a long road trip, a day hike, ski tour, or even a hot lunch at work.

Too o en, backpackers, day hikers or ski tourers have a goal in mind that focuses the day. Distance covered, turns made, eleva on gained... these numbers can drive you away from what we love the most - being present while outside.

Stopping for a break, ea ng and sharing a trailside meal with family and friends can refocus your ou ng to your surroundings, the sky, birds singing, the sound of rippling water, the wind in the trees. The numbers of the day are not nearly as important as where you are and who you are with.

Final Notes: Most big eaters find any manufacturer’s two-serving dinners to be good for one person. Buy your dinners accordingly. Nothing is worse than trying to sleep if you’re s ll hungry.

Cooking in the Colorado mountains might require a dash more water and a few extra minutes to completely hydrate your meal. The packaging some mes says at what eleva on the meal has been designed to cook adjust for your eleva on.

Murray Selleck moved to Colorado in 1978. In the early 80’s he split his me working winters in a ski shop in Steamboat Springs and his summers guiding on the Arkansas River. His career in the specialty outdoor industry has con nued for over 30 years.

Needless to say, he has witnessed decades of change in outdoor equipment and clothing. Steamboat Springs con nues to be home.

ART IN ROCKY

Capturing more than you can see The photographic art of Rick Mar nez

By Barb Boyer Buck Rick Mar nez was stuck. He had been camping in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park in September, 2013, right before the historic 1,000-year flood washed out both highways leading in and out of Estes Park. Very soon a er, the federal government shut down over a fight about Obamacare so Rocky Mountain Na onal Park – and Trail Ridge Road, the only remaining open road into and out of the area - was closed, too. He couldn't leave.

Mar nez was somewhat stuck in another way, too – he had moved to Commerce City the year prior with members of his family, but didn't like it. He was deciding between a job working for a laser tag company in Broomfield and another one filming video deposi ons in downtown Denver. Neither appealed to him very much so he took his camping trip and the

flood hit.

“I couldn't really leave, but then it got to the point where you could leave – but I didn't want to,” he said. “I took these circumstances as a sign from God to stay.

“I always thought of Estes Park as a vaca on des na on, not really a place to live,” he said. “But I love it. It's a lot more of what I was looking for, living in the mountains and changing the direc on of my photography and video produc on to wildlife, nature, and landscapes.”

Mar nez had been a photographer in San Antonio, Texas, where he was born and lived most of his life to that point. He worked primarily in the fashion and adver sing industries. So, moving to Estes Park to start

Watch the video above for more detailed informa on!

Looking at any subject, your eyes focus on what you're looking on, but things in the peripheral, background, or foreground of the subject are not sharp, un l you turn your eyes to these things. Mar nez combines these aspects so that anywhere you look in the photo, the scene is sharp.

In January of this year, he gained some regional fame with a photograph of the moon he took in RMNP. It

a new career as a nature photographer was a very different experience.

He had always been good with computers and film edi ng. “I taught myself somewhat, but I've also taken lots of classes to learn how to manipulate photos and film pre y well,” he said.

Rocky Mountain Na onal Park presents Mar nez with a complex and ever-changing subject, all year long. He became fascinated with the process of bracke ng his photographs, to achieve HDR (high dynamic range) in every level of his photographs: foreground, middleground, and background. Once he achieves a perfect shot with each exposure, he will combine these in photoshop to create landscapes where all aspects of the photo are sharp.

“Some people say, 'hey, that's not real!' but it is real,” Mar nez explained. “It's more than what you can see, but it's there.”

was 27 exposures combined and resulted in stunning detail and color on the surface of the moon. “Those colors exist on the moon,” Mar nez explained, “just look at NASA's photos.”

He enjoys astral photography and experiments a lot with taking shots of the Milky Way, visible in Rocky

where there's no light pollu on. His “star trails” series works with delayed exposure, capturing the movement of the stars through the evening sky.

Wildlife is another favorite subject for Mar nez, and he has a camera for every situa on.

“I shoot with Nikons,” he explained. A D50 with a wide

angle lens for landscape shots, a D500 for wildlife, and an older DHN are all part of his toolbox, so are the so ware programs PhotoShop and LightBox. The video included in this ar cle includes interviews on his equipment and how he uses them in great detail, much be er than I could explain it!

I asked Mar nez what kind of camera someone should get if what they are used to is taking photos and videos with their cell phone and got an interes ng lesson on the difference between mirrored and mirrorless cameras.

All of his Nikons are mirrored, allowing Mar nez to

frame and take a shot looking through the view finder, but he has to make sure his se ngs are correct. “If you are shoo ng with a mirrored camera, you want to go back once in a while and check your exposures,” he explained.

A mirrorless camera is a lot more like a point and shoot camera, very similar to cell phone technology. This means, what you see is what you get.

There are pros and cons to each kind of camera. With a mirrored camera, there is a frac on of a second delay as the mirror swings out of the way so the camera can capture the picture. Also, if you're not familiar with

exposure se ngs, you can easily make a mistake by taking pictures that are too light or too dark; the viewfinder does not show you this, but it shows up in the final picture.

With mirrorless cameras, “what you see is what you get,” Mar nez explained, but the ba ery life on these is much shorter than for mirrored cameras.

Bo om line, he recommends a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera; either a Nikon, Canon, or Sony, for beginners with manual cameras.

What makes Mar nez truly a photographic ar st is the way he creates atmospheres in his shots. A er he's got the photo looking as real as possible, he may go back and play with ligh ng in several other sec ons of the

photos to create moods.

Along with selling his photography, Mar nez offers photo tours. Find out more on his website, h ps://rmdigitalproduc ons.myshopify.com/ or his Facebook page, h ps://www.facebook.com/RMDigitalProduc ons Editor's note: this is the first installment of a monthly series, ART IN ROCKY. For the May edi on of HIKE ROCKY, we will feature the plein air works of Sco Ruthven and Jenifer Cline.

All photos taken in Rocky by Rick Martinez All rights reserved

FEATURE PHOTO

“Receding snow along banks of Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley,” by Pamela Johnson “ I am a third genera on Colorado na ve living in Westminster. Living so close to Rocky is truly a blessing and great therapy for the mind, body and soul. I enjoy wildlife and nature photography and Rocky gives me the opportunity to learn all about the flora and fauna of this magnificent park. I have been coming up to Rocky since the 1970's and no ma er how many mes I hike a certain trail or drive Trail Ridge Road - every day is a new adventure where I'm always discovering new things.”- Pamela Johnson

The Great Horned Owl Mother with twins in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park.

Story and photos by Sco Rashid Director, Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilita on Ins tute There are twelve species of owl that have been documented in Colorado. The most common of these is the great horned owl. This large owl can be found nes ng in every habitat in the state, except the alpine tundra. However, some individuals have been documented hun ng above treeline a er dark.

Their familiar whoo, whoo, who, whooo, who, who can be heard in every month of the year, as the pair remains on their territory year-round. However, much of the year, the hoo ng is from the young prac cing their calling before moving out of their parent's territory.

Territorial males frequently begin vocalizing in late October and early November, as they begin rekindling their romance with their mates. Usually, by this me, the males have decided upon a nest loca on.

Adult male great horned owl.

This nest site can be an abandoned eagle, hawk, raven, crow, magpie, or even heron nest. It can also be an old squirrel nest, duck blind, deer blind, wooden box, or even a bushel basket placed for the owls.

Once the male has decided upon a nest loca on, he will land on the prospec ve site with a mouse, vole, rabbit, or bird and begin calling to his mate to invite her to check out his domicile. If she accepts the loca on, they will protect it from other owls.

Female great horned owls nes ng in the mountains tend to begin laying their eggs in March, whereas the owls nes ng in the rest of the state have been known to begin nes ng in January and February. Females lay their eggs every two to three days but have been documented laying eggs up to a week apart. They normally lay two or three eggs but have been documented laying four and five eggs respec vely.

Watch a great horned owl hoot! Just click on the photo above.

Before the eggs are laid, the male hunts for himself and his mate, as she needs to save all of her energy to Mother and nestling.

Nestlings

create the eggs. During this me, the amount of food that the male delivers to his mate can have a direct correla on to the number of eggs she lays.

The female normally begins incuba ng when the first egg is laid. Incuba on lasts roughly 35 days. When she needs to move from her nest to a end to her personal needs, the male will sit on the eggs so they do not freeze. The male does all of the hun ng for himself and for the female while she is incuba ng. Before he arrives at the nest he will hoot to let his mate known that he is coming.

Female owls are larger, heavier, and stronger than males, so he must announce that he is about to arrive at the nest. If he shows up at the nest unannounced he could get killed by the female.

At hatching, the owlets are blind and covered in white down. They are completely dependent upon their mothers for warmth and protec on. The male will con nue delivering food to the female for the first two weeks or so un l he will simply deliver food to the owlets and let them feed themselves.

Great horned owls have been documented capturing and feeding upon the largest variety of prey species of any owl in Colorado. These owls have been documented feeding upon, insects, fish, rep les, amphibians, small animals (including mice, voles, rats, rabbits and hares), muskrats, weasels, and porcupines.

The list of birds that these owls have been documented feeding upon reads like a field guide to birds of North America. However, they seem to prefer gamebirds including grouse and pheasants, quail, and turkeys.

They also seem to enjoy doves, quail, and grouse.

Nestling

The length of me the owlets remain on their nests seems to be dependent upon where the nest is and what is made of. Normally the owlets remain on their nests for about four weeks before venturing out on their own. But I have seen them remain on their nests for as short as two and a half weeks and as long as five weeks.

The owlets remain with their parents for several weeks and even months before moving away to find their territory and begin nes ng.

Family nest with a crow, muskrat, and co ontail in the pantry.

Nestlings, with one exercising its wings.

Ar st, researcher, bird rehabilitator, author, and director of a nonprofit are only a few things that describe Sco Rashid.

Sco has been pain ng, illustra ng and wri ng about birds for over 30 years. In 2011, Sco created the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilita on Ins tute in Estes Park.

In 2019, Sco located and documented the first Boreal Owl nest in the history of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park in Colorado. Sco has wri en and published five books and several papers on a variety of avian species. More informa on available on his website: h p://www.carriep.org/

Gaining ground in Rocky A young moose strolls through the accessible campground at Sprague Lake last summer. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

by Jason Van Tatenhove Standing over ten feet tall and reaching weights of up to 1,600 pounds, moose are the most prominent member of the deer family. Unlike their deer cousins, moose do not form into herds but prefer to be solitary animals. They are also a favorite sight to see when visi ng Rocky Mountain Na onal Park (RMNP). Before the late 1970's it was rare to see moose in the park, even though there are records of sigh ngs in the area going back to the 1850s.

According to an ar cle by Tori Peglar, Colorado Parks and Wildlife first introduced 12 moose from Utah to the area west of the Never Summer Mountains near the town of Walden. A year later, in 1979, another 12 from Wyoming were released in the same region in the Illinois River drainage. This early popula on thrived, and some moved into the Laramie River Valley. In 1987 a transplant of 12 moose from Wyoming helped establish a substan al popula on in that valley.

These days the moose popula on has grown, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife es ma ng about 2,500 living throughout the state.

In 1980, only one moose was reported in the Kawuneeche Valley, a favorite spot in the RMNP for moose. In 2017, the park reported 30 to 50 on the west side and an increasing number on the east side. They've been sighted in every drainage, leading scien sts to ques on what changes were driving popula on growth

Moose are es mated at about 2,500 throughout the state; in RMNP, the popula on has grown steadily since 1980.

Photo by Brad Manard.

A female moose and her calf in Rocky. Photo by Dave Rusk. and what the effects might be. According to Liz Forster, a writer for the Associated Press; In 2017, a research team led by landscape ecologist Hanem Abouelezz transformed that ques on into an experiment to fit up to 40 moose with GPS collars — 20 on the west and 20 on the northeast side. These tracking devices allowed them to collect data on moose popula on size, popula on growth, carrying capacity, and habitat use.

One of the significant findings was that the increasing moose popula on combined with growing elk popula ons had significant effects on the number of willows in the park. Willows serve as soil stabilizers in riparian zones, the interface between land and a waterway, and cri cal to watershed health, wildlife habitat, and overall ecosystem health. Without such vegeta on, the riparian zone can wash away, impac ng the aqua c and terrestrial landscape.

One of the benefits of the increasing popula ons has been for visitors to RMNP to get a chance to see these majes c giants in the wild. Moose are o en found on the west side of the park in the Kawuneeche Valley and near the Timber Creek Campground and have occasionally been spo ed in wet areas on the east side, including around Cub Lake and Sprague Lake.

Moose behavior can be unpredictable and they tend to have poor eyesight. Photo by Brad Manard.

Photo by Dave Rusk.

Above and le , Moose prefer wetlands and are contribu ng to the overgrazing of willow in RMNP. Photo by Darlene Bushue.

For park visitors lucky enough to see a moose, it is essen al to remember that they are large, unpredictable, and wild animals. They also tend to have poor eyesight, so it is impera ve that people keep their distance and not approach or provoke the animal.

Jason Van Tatenhove is a journalist, writer, professional ar st, and father raising two daughters in the mountains of Colorado. Jason is a staff writer for the Estes Park Trail-Gaze e, Jason is a freelance writer for Hike Rocky and is working on two new book projects; a supernatural mystery novel based in Estes Park and his first nonfic on novel. You can find more about him on his Instagram @jasonvantat or his ar st's webpage www.vantat.org

Brad Manard has been coming to Estes Park and RMNP since he was a kid fi y years ago. Through this me his interest in nature and wildlife photography has grown. So much so, that when he re red last spring a er 27 years as a school superintendent, he moved permanently to Estes. He now spends his me photographing the mountains and wildlife, and is also an author with four published books including two novels. The White Room is a romance/adventure novel that takes place in the Estes Park area. Informa on on Brad's photos and books can be found on his website at bradmanard.smugmug.com.

Darlene Bushue is a landscape and wildlife photographer from Allenspark, CO. darlenebushuephotography.com facebook.com/darlenebushueph otography

“So much beauty we need to look after.”

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse,

by Charlie Mackesy

Rocky BLOOMS Fairy bells; photo by Marlene Borneman

by Marlene Borneman Snow, hail, graupel, rain, cloudy, windy, sunny, warm, cold—all ingredients of spring me in Rocky! Here in the mountains, erra c, unpredictable, fickle, and unstable define the months of April and May. Rocky is full of surprises. On a warm, sunny day in mid-May 2017, while inves ga ng what was blooming on the trails, something brilliantly white caught my eye. I recognized the small-flowered woodland star, Lithophragma parviflorum. I was thrilled because I had never seen this plant in Rocky. The very next day a snowstorm hit the park leaving about 31 inches of snow in its wake. I felt blessed to have spo ed this uncommon wildflower the day before the storm.

Depending on snowpack and temperatures, a rainbow of na ve wildflowers will soon be appearing in the foothills and montane life zones. The first popping up in cold, snowy weather are hardy pasque flowers.

These lavender/bluish flowers have been called “April Fools,” perhaps because they bloom about April 1 and then at mes are snowed under and disappear. They usually grow in patches along trails in the Lumpy Ridge

and Upper Beaver Meadows areas. Easter daises are next on the scene and are found hugging the ground around Easter me, thus the common name. The bright white daisy is easy to spot on sunny hillsides.

Yellow flowers, the most radiant of all colors on the spectrum, catch my a en on in late April and May. The glossy yellow faces of sage bu ercups are found along

Pasque flowers; photo by Pamela Johnson

Easter daisies; photo by Marlene Borneman

roadsides and slopes in Moraine Park area. Oregon grape and Nu all's violets are most abundant along the Cub Lake and Fern Lake trails. I o en get asked about another small yellow flower blooming in April/May/June. It is not a flower at all! This is Fendler's rockcress a member of the Mustard Family.

Puccinia monoica is a rust (a type of fungus) that infects several species of the mustard family. It forms a yellow bumpy structure on the plant’s leaves mimicking a flower. They are interes ng to look at with a hand lens.

Houndstounge, a noxious weed; photo by Marlene Borneman

Wild candytu , ball cactus, sand lilies, Parry's milkvetch, springbeauty, fairy bells, chickweed, and kinnikinnick are next in line to bloom. The blues/purples group round out the spring blooms that include Bri on's skullcap, mountain blue violets, and blue-eyed Mary.

I o en ride my bike up Trail Ridge Road in late May when the road has been cleared of snow in prepara on for vehicle traffic. I have been amazed in recent years to find the tundra clear of snow and alpine flowers blooming: forget-me-nots, alpine primroses, alpine parsley etc. It seems to me it was not long ago the tundra would be knee deep in snow un l mid-June.

Here is a bit about my findings on why this may be happening. In the last few years, the tundra has experienced less precipita on (snow). In addi on, snow is mel ng earlier and temperatures are warmer, so flowers are off their game and blooming several weeks earlier than in the past. Climate change is named

Fendler’s Rockcress; photo by Marlene Borneman

the culprit; however, there is long-term research being carried out to determine what other variables may be contribu ng to early blooming of na ve plants and their reaching “peak” bloom earlier.

Lumpy Ridge, Black Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls, North Boundary, Upper Beaver Meadows Mill Creek Basin, Fern Lake, Cub Lake, Moraine Park, and Shadow Mountain are the best trails/areas to focus on for spring

flowering. Don't forget to take a walk up Trail Ridge Road in May. You may be astounded by how many flowers are in bloom!

Noxious weeds, also referred to as invasive plants, will be blooming in the park. The defini on of a noxious weed is an alien plant designated noxious due to its invasive nature. It causes environmental and economic damage to the extent that control measures are needed. Here are a few of the most egregious in the park: common mullein, hoary alyssum, houndstongue, musk thistle, Canada thistle, and knapweed. I'm tempted to yank them as I pass by, but “no.” Rocky has a knowledgeable and efficient department of rangers/researchers with an Exo c Plant Management Plan. The park also has volunteers that help with weed removal, appropropriately named Weed Warriors. So please do not pull any weeds, but you may report sigh ngs at the park visitor centers.

Flowering ball cactus; photo by Marlene Borneman

Hoary alyssum, a noxious weed; photo by Marlene Borneman

I can certainly appreciate everyone wan ng to get out viewing the glorious wildflowers a er this long, long winter; however, please remember wildflower ethics. It is illegal to pick wildflowers in na onal parks and some state parks simply because it can damage the ecosystem. How you may ask? Plants need to reproduce. Picking and digging up wildflowers reduces a plant's ability to reproduce and will affect its longterm survival in that loca on. Picking wildflowers can

Small-flowered woodland star; photo by Marlene Borneman

adversely affect pollinators and other animals that depend on that species for food and/or shelter. Picking wildflowers prevents other visitors from enjoying their beauty. Most wildflowers wilt and perish soon a er being picked and most do not survive being transplanted especially wild orchids and lilies. I use a quote from Al Schneider, a wildflower expert, “Admire them in the wild and let them live.”

While wild-flowering in the spring months through early summer BEWARE, you may not be alone. The Rocky Mountain wood tick, which is able to transmit Rocky mountain spo ed fever, are also out and about, eager to find a host. A few preven ve measures will help you stay ck free: use insect repellents that contain DEET, wear long sleeves and long pants bo oms tucked into socks, do ck checks every hour or so, search clothes and body as soon as you arrive home.

Marlene has been photographing Colorado's wildflowers while on her hiking and climbing adventures since 1979. Marlene has climbed Colorado's 54 14ers and the 126 USGS named peaks in Rocky. She is the author of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 2Ed, The Best Front Range Wildflower Hikes, and Rocky Mountain Alpine Flowers, published by CMC Press. She has created the “Spring Wildflower Iden fica on” quiz for this issue of HIKE ROCKY.

Common mullein, a noxious weed.

- Covers more than 100 of the most common wildflowers - Color photos for easy iden fica on - Uses the latest classifica ons

- Fully revised edi on using the latest classifica ons - New photos make iden fica on easier - Covers 180 of the most common

Purchase Marlene’s books on colorado mountain club’s website

- A wide variety of wildflower hikes along Colorado’s Front Range, from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, including RMNP - Includes route & driving direc ons, maps, difficulty ra ngs, nearest landmark, and color photos - Fits in your pocket or daypack

Rocky’s riparian rehabilitation A clear line exists between the willows inside the rehabilita on fence ( on the right) and outside along the Fall River in RMNP. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

By Jason Van Tatenhove We see them growing along the creeks and rivers of the Colorado mountains. Their red and yellow hues dot the landscapes of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, adding beauty to the picturesque views. But their importance to the Park's ecosystem is not just one of beauty. The willow has become a cri cal resource that is becoming more scarce, and this is having far-reaching impacts across the Park.

Willows are a crucial part of the ecosystem which the rising elk and moose popula ons have impacted. So much so that steps are being taken to try and measure and mi gate those effects. It all comes down to the beavers, more specifically, the lack thereof. Beaver popula ons have been declining due to growing numbers of elk and moose. All three animals feed on the Park's willows, and without as many natural predators (wolves were ex rpated from RMNP before 1915), these popula ons have exploded, taxing the supply of willow.

According to the Na onal Park Service (NPS), beavers are considered "nature's engineers" because of their

Enclosures within RMNP urge the public to keep the gates closed to prevent overgrazing of willows by elk.

Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

Healthy winter willows thrive inside rehabilita on enclosures in RMNP. Photo by Dave Rusk

dam-building ac vi es. Shrubs and trees (especially willow) become building material. They use their long, front incisors to gnaw down trunks and branches. Dams can reach heights of seven feet and lengths of 1000 yards.

The pond created by the beaver dam protects the colony from predators and provides suitable habitat for

a wide variety of other plants and animals. When there isn't enough building material le , the beaver colony moves to a different loca on.

Scien sts regard the beaver as a keystone species, which modifies the environment in such a way that benefits the ecosystem and encourages the presence of other species. Building dams and crea ng or expanding

Inside the rehabilita on enclosure in Moraine Park, riparian habitat thrives. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck.

Inside the rehabilita on enclosure in Endovalley last summer. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

wetlands alters the landscape, providing a habitat for many other species.

Beaver popula ons have declined in many areas of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park since the 1940s. Beaver surveys in the past ten years indicate that beavers are rare. Recent park surveys suggest that beaver occupy only 10 percent of the most suitable streamside habitat in the Park.

There have been some very crea ve a empts to restore beaver popula ons, including a program in Idaho in the 1950s that involved parachu ng beavers into rural areas where popula ons had dwindled.

But a new project (without the use of parachutes) aims to counteract some of the issues that have come up due to the lack of beavers and willow.

According to an ar cle by Jeremy Sueltenfuss and Alex Brooks of CSU in the latest Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er (see next page for an excerpt), there is now a collabora on between Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, the Na onal Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Network, and Colorado State University with support from Rocky Mountain Conservancy, to address these issues. By building a series of simulated beaver structures (SBS) to test the effects of these issues, including lower water levels due to a lack of natural beaver dams. The SBS act like real beaver dams, raising the waterways and groundwater levels in the adjacent floodplain.

Before installing the SBS, the project team monitored water levels within the channel and underground in the floodplain and water movement between the channel and the floodplain, plant species composi on within the floodplain, and annual willow growth. These measurements will con nue to be collected for the years following the SBS installa on to see if water levels and willow growth increase.

Five simulated beaver structures were built in 2019 and 2020. The project team was ecsta c to see immediate increases in the water levels behind the structures and con nue collec ng data on water and willows. There has been preliminary evidence of success; they also know that beavers are much be er at maintaining real beaver dams than are humans. With this in mind, the team's immediate goal is to figure out how to restore a sustainable willow community to maintain a healthy popula on of beavers. The long-term goal is that the beavers will ul mately finish the restora on of Rocky's meadows to the magical mosaics that sustain a healthy riparian ecosystem.

A willow cone in Moraine Park last summer.

Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

reprinted with permission from Rocky Mountain Conservancy, an excerpt from:

Simulated beaver structures may help restore riparian communities in Rocky photos and excerpt by Jeremy Sueltenfuss and Alex Brooks, Colorado State University

Uncertain es about restoring RMNP Willow Floodplains Plan ng new willows and building fences to keep out hungry elk and moose has been an effec ve strategy to preserve and restore some of the willow communi es within the park, but it’s become clear that the historically shortened willows in some areas are not growing back to their previous height. And without that growth, there are too li le food and building supplies for the beavers.

Digging deeper, what is it, then, that is limi ng willow growth? How can we help these systems to increase that growth, poten ally leading to beavers in the future?

Based on previous studies of meadow soils in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, we know that beaver dams and ponds, prior to European se lement, kept meadow groundwater levels high, providing easily-accessible water to willows throughout the summer. In

many of these same areas today, the streambed is eroded by more than three feet below the riverbank, and groundwater is rarely observed near the ground surface, especially later in the summer when willows need water most.

Is the lack of beaver dams causing low groundwater levels? Could this lack of high groundwater be limi ng willow growth? Is it possible to mimic beaver dams?

Photo descrip ons: top - RMNP staff and partners install a simulated beaver structure in Rocky; le , top - a SBS in ac on; le , bo om - tag on a willow so that its growth can be monitored.

This project, and many others, are funded by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the fundraising branch of Rocky. Please consider becoming a member.

PHOTO ESSAY

Spring awakening

by Dave Rusk The rock basks in the sun absorbing the sun’s heat, the snow having already melted off of it. It has been worn smooth by water running over it for god knows how long and I lay back on it, le ng the sun bask its warmth on me.

The creek rushing next to me is running stronger now that the warm days are causing the snow to melt in the mountains higher up. Soon, this rock I lay on will be covered over with spring runoff.

But at night, the air s ll drops below freezing, forming a thin layer of ice across the waters surface and slowing the flow of snow melt. This play of temperature and water is ar st play, crea ng delicate and flee ng designs.

Coming next month in

HIKE ROCKY online magazine - The Orchids of Rocky Marlene takes us on a journey to spot and iden fy the orchids in RMNP they don’t just flourish in tropical climates!

- Biking Trail Ridge Murray Selleck enjoys biking Trail Ridge Road a er it’s plowed for the season, but before it’s open to vehicle traffic. Join him on this adventure as he bikes the length of the road from west to east!

- Lumpy Ridge hiking Explore the many trails in the Lumpy Ridge area - Plein Air in Rocky Barb Boyer Buck presents the second installment of ART IN ROCKY with profiles on plein-air oil painters, Sco Rashid of Fort Collins and Jenifer Cline of Loveland.

- Wildlife babies This is the month for wildlife babies to appear in Rocky! We explore how to safely view them and more in this issue.

- An examina on of the Park’s BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Report (which was not available in me for this edi on).

- Rocky’s emergency responders Jason Van Tatenhove conducts interviews with the heroes of Rocky.

- and so much more!

Water that freezes and then refreezes makes for interes ng pa erns in Rocky this month. Photo by Dave Rusk.

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