These Rocky Mountain facts are sure to leave you in awe. These amazing mountains are famous throughout the world and here are some cool facts about them.
The Rocky Mountains are among my favorite mountains. I have been fortunate enough to spend time hiking in mountains all over the world, including the Andes, Rockies, Himalayas, and in Africa. Of all of those mountains I have visited, the Rockies are special for me. Maybe these Rocky Mountain facts will show you why I love them so much.
8 Rocky Mountain Facts
Pikes Peak is one of the iconic 14ers of the Rockies.
The Rockies Are Tall! – The Rockies contain 53 peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation. That is far more than any other state. The highest peak is Mount Elbert in Colorado at a height of 14, 433 feet. These peaks are called 14ers and there are lots of people who try to hike/climb all of the 14ers.
Photo via Flickr.
The Rockies Cover A Huge Distance From North To South – the Rockies travel from Canada down to New Mexico in the United States for a total distance of over 3,000 miles! They are divided into four main sections.
There Are More Than 100 Ranges – The Rockies is a broad term for all of the mountains in the area. But, in fact the Rockies are made up of more than 100 individual ranges of mountains. Some of these ranges include the Wind Rivers, Tetons, and San Juan Mountains.
The Continental Divide Runs Through The Rockies – The Rockies divide the western and eastern United States as rivers flow either west or east from them. This divide also often serves as a natural barrier to plants and animals.
The Uintas in Utah run uniquely east to west.
The Uintas Mountains in Utah are the only major mountain range that is part of the Rockies that runs in an east-west direction as opposed to a north-south direction.
Flowers – The Rocky Mountains have more than 3,000 species of flowering plants! That is a lot of different flowers that you may be able to see.
A Steller’s Jay is a common bird of the Rockies.
Birds – The Rockies contain a lot of different types of birds. In fact it is possible to see over 200 different species of birds in the Rockies over the course of a year if you really know your stuff.
Rivers – The Rockies are more than just rocks and tall mountains. They have beautiful meadows of wildflowers and roaring rivers. The Rockies are in fact the headwaters of three major rivers – the Colorado River, Salmon River, and Missouri River.