Rocky Mountain 2012 - November Photo

BEAVER MEADOWS

The lure of furs and gold drew trappers and prospectors into the parklands. Rufus Sage, an early trapper, first recorded his adventures in this region in 1843. He told of abundant wildlife and "Ébeautiful lateral valleys." By 1859, gold prospectors had arrived, one of whom was Joel Estes. Several years later, Joel moved his family into what was to become Estes Park.