Mushrooms in Thin Air
Mushroom Rocks alongside the Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
At roughly 12,200' in elevation, there's about 35% less oxygen in the air than at sea level. This is the alpine tundra, which has rich soils and dense sedge/grass turf, which provides food for the few animals that live here year-round - marmots, pikas, ptarmigans. Although this was June 3, there was no frost on the tundra. The summer here is very brief, about 40 days long, and the area spens about 5 months of the yearin temperatures below freezing.
This rock formation is nearly half a mile from the trailhead. The rock to the right of the frame is about 10-12' tall. The panoramic view of the surrounding Rocky Mountains is worth the short hike from the parking lot.
Mushrooms in Thin Air
Mushroom Rocks alongside the Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
At roughly 12,200' in elevation, there's about 35% less oxygen in the air than at sea level. This is the alpine tundra, which has rich soils and dense sedge/grass turf, which provides food for the few animals that live here year-round - marmots, pikas, ptarmigans. Although this was June 3, there was no frost on the tundra. The summer here is very brief, about 40 days long, and the area spens about 5 months of the yearin temperatures below freezing.
This rock formation is nearly half a mile from the trailhead. The rock to the right of the frame is about 10-12' tall. The panoramic view of the surrounding Rocky Mountains is worth the short hike from the parking lot.