Specimen Mountain
Location: Grand & Larimer Counties, in Rocky Mountain National Park
Size: 9056 acres
Designated: 1983
Landowner: National Park Service
Specimen Mountain Research Natural Area straddles the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park and includes Specimen and Shipler Mountains. This natural area is capped with volcanic material from a nearby volcano that erupted approximately 28 million years ago and now supports virgin stands of Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir and pristine alpine meadows. The area is important calving grounds for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Natural salt licks in the "crater" attract elk, deer, and bighorn sheep.
This site is featured in the Colorado State Parks and Natural Areas Book
Colorado State Parks & Natural Areas by Frank Weston
Published September 1, 2008
Click here to purchase.