Continental Divide

Continental Divide

Here I am at the highest point on my route. It took me three hours, including rest breaks, to climb the last nine steep miles to the top of the pass. Note that the sign tells you which is the Atlantic and which is the Pacific side of the Divide.

The Rocky Mountains are a range of tall, jagged peaks which run north to south through Colorado. This is where a raindrop's fate is decided. Rain that falls onto the western slopes of these mountains flows down into rivers that head towards the Pacific Ocean. Rain falling on the eastern side flows towards the Atlantic Ocean, all the way on the other side of the continent. This is why it is called the Continental Divide. Can you find the Rocky Mountains on a map of the United States?

I took the tram up to the 12,000 foot summit of Monarch Peak since there was not much of a view from the pass itself. This photo is looking west towards Utah.

Here is one of the peaks to the north of Monarch Pass. The peak is above the timberline. The timberline is the point beyond which trees do not grow. It is determined by altitude, wind and sun exposure which affect the temperature and moisture needed to support tree life.

Mike@Kahncious.Net

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