• The Rocky Mountains are a broad mountain range in western North America. The range's northernmost point is in British Columbia, Canada, and its southernmost point is in New Mexico. The Rockies are significantly larger than the United States's other major mountain range, the Appalachians, as it is much younger, geologically speaking.

• Fast Facts

  1. Called the Rockies for shortPeakbagger.com: Rocky Mountains
  2. More than 3000 miles longYahoo! Education: Encyclopedia: Rocky Mountains
  3. Stretches from British Columbia to New Mexico8750.com: Rocky Mountains: History, Information and Stories
  4. Highest point is Mount Elbert located in ColoradoPeakbagger.com: Rocky Mountains Yahoo! Education: Encyclopedia: Rocky Mountains
  5. Home to the oft photographed Pikes PeakPeakbagger.com: Pikes Peak, Colorado
  6. January is the coldest month in the RockiesBlue Planet Biomes: Rocky Mountains
  7. Weather can change quickly on the mountains, so be preparedBlue Planet Biomes: Rocky Mountains
  8. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first scientific exploration of the mountainsRocky Mountains: Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources
  9. Run-off and snow melt feed numerous lakes and rivers, including the Columbia River, Snake River, Missouri River, and the Rio GrandeRocky Mountains: Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources
  10. The Continental Divide, determines whether water runs to the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean8750.com: Rocky Mountains: History, Information and Stories

• Rocky Mountain History

  Though inhabited for thousands of years by Paleo Indians and then Native American tribes, Western explorers started investigating the ranges beginning in the 16th century. Spanish explorers came from the south and east, and French fur traders came to it from the west across the Great Plains.

  "Mountain men" explored the region further in the 18th and 19th centuries, looking for furs and mineral deposits. Those crossing to the west of the continent via the Oregon Trail in the mid 1800s had to cross the formidable Rockies.

  Today, tourists and outdoors people explore for fun what the early settlers had to conquer through force of will and luck. Skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, and water rafting are enjoyed along the entire 3000 mile range.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Wolves | Bears | New Mexico | Utah | Colorado | Idaho | Wyoming | Montana | Alberta | British Columbia | Hiking | Mountain Climbing | Skiing | Rafting | Biking | Great Basin Desert | Grand Teton National Park | Mountain Goat | Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

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