Rockies, American wild beauty

A huge mountain range spanning over 4,800 km from New Mexico to British Columbia in Canada, the Rockies embody wild American beauty. Whether one is at the foot of its snowy peaks, at the edge of its vertiginous canyons or in the heart of its verdant plains, one can not feel closer to the legendary American West.

Land of many Native American tribes
A rugged and indomitable region, the Rockies are originally populated by various Amerindian tribes including Apaches, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Flatheads, Sioux and Utes who have learned to take advantage of their resources. adapt to their rigor. For thousands of years, natives have hunted buffalo, which they use to their fullest in order to feed themselves, but also to dress and make weapons by recycling skin and bones. In the fall, they leave the mountains to reach the mild climate, which offers them shelter for the winter. The arrival of Europeans on the territory will completely change the history of the Rockies.

An obstacle to the conquest of the west
Forming a natural barrier stretching from north to south, they are a major obstacle to conquering the West. The first Europeans to explore the region are the Spaniards. Then, French-Canadian fur traders enter it. But the area remains difficult to access, apart from a few trappers, the mountains are not yet crowded Americans who take control of the northern part of the Rockies in 1803. The first crossing organized by the United States takes place the same year. It takes place in the framework of the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark (1804-1806) and makes it possible to make known the chain of mountains and its surroundings. Maps are drawn, one meets its reliefs, its fauna and its flora. The Rockies become known to the general public. Then, little by little, the region begins to populate, the Mormons settle around Salt Lake City from 1847 and, in 1859, the discovery of gold in Cripple Creek in Colorado will soon attract the crowds.

The Gold Rush, a defining period in the history of the Rockies
In the nineteenth century, a rumor spread, the Rockies would be filled with gold. Thousands of gold miners land in Colorado where valuable ore begins to be mined. Camps are coming out of the ground and a whole bunch of activities have been added to the mining economy: agriculture, entertainment ... Entire cities are emerging near the mines. Finally, the region becomes accessible thanks to the transcontinental railroad in 1869 and life is organized around the stations. In search of gold, succeeds that of money. Forest exploitation and agriculture are also becoming important activities. In the meantime, Native American tribes have been massacred or deported eastward and this area, now unspoiled and preserved, is widely coveted and exploited for its wealth.

A myth is born
The history of the Rockies, as dense as fascinating, against a backdrop of grandiose landscapes, continues to fuel the collective imagination. To visit this region is to follow in the footsteps of this rich past. In Fort Laramie, explore the former military fort, which used to be a trading center where Indians and trappers came to sell their beaver pelts. It is also reconnect with his famous characters and tread the filming locations of films that immortalize. In Cody, meet with the city of Buffalo Bill, the famous bison hunter, and to meet the greatest presidents of the United States, meet the heads carved into the rock at Mount Rushmore. In Rapid City and Fort Pierre, return to the mythical scenes of Dance with the Wolves and Big Horn Mountains, panorama of the famous mountains in the background of Brokeback Mountains. It is, finally, back to the time of the conquest of the West and the gold rush. In South Dakota, stroll through Deadwood's Far West downtown and travel back in time to the arrival of the train in the historic cities of Duango and Silverton, Colorado.

Beautiful national parks
The Rockies is also a concentration of the country's most beautiful national parks. At Yellowstone, the oldest national park in the world, observe incredible geothermal phenomena. Geysers, hot springs, multicolored pools ... this natural paradise will surprise you. There is a good chance you will see deer and bison there. Yellowstone is also known to host black bears, grizzlies, coyotes, wolves and elk, rarer to see.
Nearby, the nearby Grand Teton Park is not far behind and unveils postcard landscapes. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, valleys and snow-capped peaks, expect to make unforgettable hikes. In a completely different setting, the dunes
Great Sand Dunes, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and seeming to come out of nowhere, are a big surprise for travelers.

Canyons and mountains, geysers and glaciers, salt deserts and sand dunes, nature in all its states
Far north, near the border with Canada, the huge Glacier National Park is the meeting place for nature lovers. It is home to hundreds of glaciers and lakes and thousands of animal and plant species protected by UNESCO. And to enjoy the mountains again, head for the Rocky Mountain National Park. Of course, you will be able to observe or approach many Rocky Mountain peaks throughout your trip but the state with the highest elevations of the chain is Colorado. 78 of the 100 highest mountains are located there, including the highest (4,401 m), Mount Elbert. So it's logically Colorado that is the Rocky Mountain National Park. It is also in Colorado that you will admire the unique Black Canyon of the Gunnison which, with its dark colors, depth and low spacing, is unlike any other canyon. Finally, if you are fond of rock formations, head for the Badlands to hike or circulate in its cut reliefs and approach its many paleontological vestiges.

The journey of all discoveries
Navigating the Rockies is full of exceptional panoramas and magical experiences. An immense region that unveils 70 million years of erosion and geological phenomena. An area so large that it spans 7 states. Nearly 5,000 km where you will have the opportunity to observe nature through an incredible diversity of climates, landscapes, living species and historical evidence. From the world's unique concentration of fossilized dinosaur bones at Dinosaur National Monument to visits to the Cripple Creek Silver Mine, salt deserts of the Great Salt Lake to snow-capped ski resorts.
A trip that will satisfy all lovers of open spaces and outdoor activities. Aficionados of thrills will inevitably find an attraction among the many options available to them: rafting days on the Green River, horseback riding in the Yellowstone, climbing at the Grand Teton ...
And hikers can not dream of a better destination. Even the less athletic will enjoy the unparalleled scenery of national parks and spectacular Rocky Mountain terrain, with small strolls on the winding mountain roads or the infinitely straight plains. Whatever region you choose, a road trip in the Rockies is the promise of an unforgettable trip.

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