A sampling of the off-season activities available in Colorado’s most famous national park

By Emily Moyer

As heavy snow descends from the dark night sky and dusts the tops of trees, the only sounds are the howling winter winds and crunching snow under your boots. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) sees about three million visitors during the peak season between July and September. While visitors enjoy driving the long winding roads up to the Continental Divide in the warm, summer months, winter is full of the solitude, adventure and enchantment that people long for when they come to explore the mysterious Rocky Mountains.

Here is a sampling of the off-season activities available in Colorado’s most famous national park.

Night-Sky Photography

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most sought-after destinations in the state for night-sky photography, although many lack the adventurous spirit to get into the park during the winter months.

Gary Kochel is a Colorado photographer who shoots the Milky Way from the park. Kochel suggests that aspiring winter shutterbugs invest in a good pair of gloves, pack an extra layer or two and strap on spikes or wear snowshoes.

“The park at night provides a different understanding of the size of nature,” Kochel says. “At night, the Milky Way makes the Rockies look small in comparison to the vast size of our galaxy. It’s a valuable, therapeutic reminder that minor life problems are insignificant in the larger scheme of things.”

Clouds permitting, mid-February and March are the best times to frame up the Milky Way. The sky is darker because the axis of the earth is tilting away from the sun, which creates a visual arch over the horizon. Kochel says it’s a great time to create interesting compositions with mountains and lakes. The Milky Way will be best viewed just before twilight.

“I plan my shoots between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.,” Kochel says. “A positive of night photography is my photo shoots end with a gorgeous sunrise.”

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is among the most underrated winter activities. It is a great source of fun and exercise because most anyone can participate. You don’t necessarily have to be athletic or coordinated, fit or young. And the crisp views are stunning. If you thought Dream Lake was your favorite hike in the summer, just wait until you see it in winter with powder-dusted peaks around it.

With a fraction of the summer crowd, you are much more likely to spot wildlife along your hike. Pack a picnic and trek into the park to capture the child-like wonder of the chilled, wintery landscape.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is one of the biggest attractions in RMNP, summer or winter. Although there is no guarantee, winter can be the best time to view elk, turkeys, coyotes, moose and deer. Winter birdwatching is most ideal when the vibrant blues of the mountain bluebird or bright yellows of the goldfinch stand out against the white snow.

Many larger animals can be seen in and around the park. They wander through adjacent towns such as Grand Lake and Estes Park because of the cold and icy conditions at higher altitudes.

Animals are most active just after the break of dawn, and just before the sun sets at dusk. A quality camera will help preserve the scene. Or, grab binoculars for a more detailed view of an elk exhaling steamy breaths into the cool air.

Also, remember to respect wildlife in the park by keeping a safe distance of at least 75 feet. And never feed the animals, which teaches them to become dependent on humans as a food source.

An igloo provides warmth and shelter on cold winter nights in the park. Photos: Ed Huessers

Igloo Camping

When you think of cold, winter nights, camping might be the last thing that comes to mind. However, winter camping is not just for extremists anymore because technology is providing new ways to keep warm and pack lightly.

Although tents and campers are options, building a structure is preferable for igloo enthusiast Ed Huessers, or “Igloo Ed” as he is known by the locals. He has created snow and ice structures since the late 1990s but began experimenting with winter camping in snow caves in 1977 in his childhood home of North Dakota.

“Snow caves were a lot of work and didn’t last long enough for them to be worth the effort other than having an epic winter campout,” Huessers says. “The igloos last much longer and they are a lot less strenuous to build than snow caves.”

He says the adventurous types should always consult with park officials for permits, regulations and weather forecasts before venturing into the backcountry.

In 1998 Huessers invented the Icebox Tool, an igloo-building contraption that forms blocks. Ever since, Igloo Ed has spent every possible moment camping in the backcountry of Colorado.

His source of warmth on cold nights is an iso-butane lantern, or sometimes candles. That is all Huessers needs to stay warm because the igloo’s ice is a great insulator for the heat and it keeps out the wind on cold stormy nights.

“I love winter with the clean layer of snow on everything making it so fresh,” Huessers says. “Even the air smells clean. The dead quiet is almost overwhelming but I love it.”

Waking up to 360-degree views atop the summit of a winter wonderland is how Huessers likes to relax each winter.

The beauty of the park remains hidden to all but a few with the spirited heart to seek adventure in the vast, white wonderland.

Emily Moyer enjoys skiing, photography and all things outdoors. She will soon graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in convergent journalism with a focus in mass communications.