to stand tall for generations to come.
Many of the tribes that formed over the years are familiar names: Apache, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Crow, Shoshoni, Sioux, and Ute, to list a few. These people flourished as they mastered yearly patterns of migration. Autumn and winter were spent on the warmer, lower plains, while spring and summer were ideal times to hunt and forage in the mountains.
Undoubtedly lost in these annals of time are the first true ascents of the major mountains in Colorado. While most of these feats have gone undocumented, it is naive to assume that the native people were any more exempt from the lure of the mountains than we are today. Alas, history is written from the perspective of the conqueror and not the conquered, and the mystery of who first set foot atop these peaks will remain unknown.
Among the first meddling Europeans to explore the Rockies was Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, the fabled ambassador of Spain who was, unfortunately, very good at his job. His journeys to the southern Rocky Mountains (mostly in New Mexico) in 1540 introduced native people to the ways of the white man. While there were a few beneficial results for the indigenous peoples from these encounters, such as the introduction of the horse and metalworking, the downside was a near eradication of the natives’ culture, habitat, and spirituality.
The Spanish influence on the southern Rockies is evident today, with many peaks in the San Juan Mountains (itself an obviously Spanish moniker) named after Spanish explorers and missionaries. A select few mountains have reverted back to their native names in modern times.
A slow stream of Western European men began to infiltrate the Colorado region, mostly in search of fur and timber, and an uneasy alliance between the natives and newcomers was reached. In the late 1700s, as the nation of America came into being, people grew more curious in what lay in the uncharted lands to the west. The Scottish Canadian explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie crossed the Rockies in 1793, on his way to the first transcontinental navigation of North America. He would later go on to discover the Arctic Ocean. The turbulent river that runs from Great Slave Lake north to the Arctic is named in his honor. Following in his footsteps, bold miners and fur traders set up the first European settlements in Colorado.
Shortly after Mackenzie’s exploration, the fabled Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) set about making detailed descriptions of the land along the Missouri and Columbia Rivers, which entailed crossing the Rocky Mountains. They encountered many of the native peoples on their journey, many of whom were peaceful, or at worst, ambivalent to the band of American explorers. Lewis and Clark opened the door for many famous explorers, whose names are on our maps today: Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Zebulon Pike, John Fremont, Jedediah Smith, and John Colter. These mountain men became larger than life for their exploits in the Wild West.
Lewis and Clark opened the door for many explorers: Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Zebulon Pike, John Fremont, Jedediah Smith, and John Colter. These mountain men became larger than life for their exploits in the Wild West.
Miners doggedly combed the land for precious minerals in the Rocky Mountains region and finally hit gold in Colorado in 1859. Gold deposits in the mineral-rich South Platte River region were the catalyst that led to an explosion in mining. “Pikes Peak or Bust” was the order of the day, as dreamy miners dug into the rocky earth in search of great wealth. William Green Russell, a native Georgian, was the first to establish a successful gold mine, just outside of the present-day city of Englewood. By the 1860s, Central City and Idaho Springs were major hubs of mining commerce, with cities on the plains such as Boulder, Golden, and Denver playing supporting roles.
Now that the land had tangible value, greed became a motivating factor in the extermination and relocation of the native people. Overpowered by the guns of the white man, the native tribes were hastily removed from the landscape as more and more settlers claimed legal ownership of the earth. Friction culminated in the disgraceful slaughter of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe natives in Kiowa County, a horrible event later known as the Sand Creek Massacre. On November 29, 1864, a cowardly group of Colorado militiamen mercilessly slaughtered an encampment of mostly elderly men, women, and children, killing more than 200. This point marked the beginning of the end for the people who had called Colorado home for centuries.
As the gold mines in the high country began to sputter out, mining got a shot in the arm with the great silver discoveries outside of Leadville in 1879. More and more settlers stayed in Colorado after the lodes ran dry, moving to major cities and leaving ghost towns in their wake. The population grew as Colorado’s agreeable climate, natural resources, and intrinsic beauty became widely known. Out-of-work miners turned to agriculture in the high country, and hundreds of ranches sprang up.
Colorado achieved statehood on August 1, 1876, becoming the 38th state of the United States. Since then, it has grown to become a major recreational and tourist destination. Mining experienced a modern boom during both World Wars. Molybdenum, an element crucial in strengthening the armor plating on tanks and warships, became a major resource. The Climax Molybdenum Mine, on Fremont Pass outside of Leadville, continues to carry out operations to this day.
In modern times, skiing and other outdoors recreation have given new life to the high country. With our newfangled horseless carriages and high-tech Gore-Tex jackets, the backcountry has never been more accessible. The value of Colorado’s wilderness in an era of development and industry is priceless; we must ensure future generations will enjoy the mountains as we do today by honoring and respecting the land.
Wildlife
High-elevation critters are a hearty bunch. Despite the harsh conditions experienced at altitude, animals of many sizes flourish, all the way up to 14,000 feet. Survival depends on clever adaptations to the environment. These creatures employ a great bag of tricks to endure year after year. Hibernation, torpor, seasonal fur camouflage, ingenious den designs, and unique physiological adaptations are among the strategies that are proven winners in the alpine kingdom.
Hikers and backpackers entering the backcountry need to respect local wildlife. Once on their turf, we need to play by their rules. They experience the world through a different set of sense organs, oftentimes superior to our own eyes, ears, and noses. And since neither man nor animal is looking for trouble, reducing the chances of a bad encounter is essential for both.
By now you should know to never feed the wildlife, no matter how cute or hungry they look. Feeding animals can make them reliant on hikers as a food source. At high-traffic areas such as Rocky Mountain National Park, the pudgy jaybirds and ground squirrels begging at popular trailheads prove that many people disregard this rule. Wildlife must remain wild. An animal that retains the skills that have kept its kind alive for hundreds of years must not lose that proficiency by developing a craving for Cheetos.
A sunny winter day warms up a foxy friend.
Do not approach wild animals and never do anything that would frighten them. Animal behavior is unpredictable, and it is always best to give even the “friendly” animals their space. Slow-moving and less aggressive animals should not be stressed out by visitors trying to handle them. Take photographs from a safe distance.
To put it simply, be respectful, and acquiesce to them if you must. Life is hard enough in the high country; the last thing the animals that live there need is meddling humans to goof things up.
Mammal Roll Call
Furry friends are plentiful in the mountains. Largest of all are the impressive moose that live in pockets throughout marshy areas of the Rocky
