Wildlife of the High Country in Rocky Mountain National Park

Explore Rocky's high country and the animals who make their home there. What adaptations allow them to live in this harsh environment? What relationships tie the alpine world together, making it possible for life to thrive?

Learn all about the amazing critters of the tundra in this course!

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Moderate – These programs are most appropriate for those with some hiking experience. Expect to travel 1 to 2 miles over the course of the program and to be on your feet for several hours at a time. Participants should be comfortable navigating both maintained trails and unmaintained meadows or wooded areas. Transportation will be in a 15-passenger van with bench seats and a narrow aisle that requires stepping up to enter. Prior experience hiking or walking above 8,000 feet is recommended.

This program has a classroom session and a field based section.

When: Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Where: Meet at the Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517, and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.

What to Bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses

About Your Instructor: Kathy Brazleton is recently retired from Rocky Mountain National Park, having been a National Park Service ranger for over 35 years at 6 NPS areas, holding positions in Interpretation, Law Enforcement, and Resource Mgmt. She holds a B.S. in Forestry/Outdoor Recreation with a minor in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University, and an M.S. from Southern Oregon State University in Outdoor Education with a minor in Plant Ecology.

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds.

Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email!

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here: Conservancy Membership

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at education@RMConservancy.org or by phone at 970-586-3262.