The Rocky Mountains, or Rockies, are located on the western side of North America. They extend 4,800 km from the northern part of British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico in south-western United States. The Rockies have some of North America’s highest peaks.
The highest peak in the Rockies is Mt. Elbert in Colorado which is at an elevation of 4,401 m. It was first summited by Henry W Stuckle in 1874 and is often referred to as a ‘gentle giant’, as it is relatively easier to climb than other mountains in the same category.
The Rockies comprise at least 100 separate ranges and are divided into four sections. These are the Southern Rockies, found mainly in Colorado and New Mexico; the Middle Rockies found in Wyoming, Utah and south eastern Idaho; the Northern Rockies in Montana and north east Idaho; and the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta.
Did you know that a super volcano lies hidden in the Rocky Mountains? The volcano is located in the Yellowstone National Park and is called the Yellowstone Caldera. This is one of the reasons why you can see geysers in Yellowstone, and why there is an overpowering smell of phosphor in the air throughout the national park.
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