As a camping family, we always discover interesting facts about locations and national parks. The difference in land mass was extraordinary as we traveled out west in the United States from the east coast. The height of mountains is measured here in the U.S. as “feet above sea level.” Whereas the mountains on the east coast actually begin at sea level, out west, the mountains start on the plains, which are higher in altitude. However, the western mountains are still measured from sea level.
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| The Tundra of the Rockies, above the treeline. |
The tallest mountain in the Appalachian Mountain Range located on the east coast is Mt. Mitchell in Mt. Mitchell State Park in North Carolina. It is a thickly forested mountain and is 6,684 feet above sea level.
Out west, the Rocky Mountains start at about 5,280 feet up from sea level because of the plains. Mt. Elbert in Colorado is 14,440 feet above sea level. Our family found this fascinating because of the snow caught in patches in the Rockies—even in July. You can read of our Colorado adventures in the snow at Camping with Five Kids.
It’s the elevation, we discovered. The Rockies are bald on top, gray and chiseled, angular. It’s the tundra, a place where the weather is too harsh for tall trees. It’s too cold, too windy. Since the Appalachians are lower in altitude and worn down through the ages, they are forested and do not usually have snow on their peaks in summertime.
Camping gear changes with elevation because temperature changes in elevation—even in summer. When we camped at the base of Glacier National Park, we were warm enough in our 20 degree sleeping bags, meaning the bags would keep you warm in about 20 degree temperature. The weather was pleasant. Lake McDonald is 3,153 feet above sea level. You gain another 3000 plus feet heading up to Logan Pass at 6,646 feet.
When we camped at Yellowstone National Park, we were higher up—yet we didn’t realize it. At night, we shivered. We should have brought our sub-zero sleeping bags, good in zero degree weather. Yellowstone Lake is 7,732 feet above sea level.
It is important to check the elevation when you decide to camp in the mountains or on the plains out west. Pack warm gear and clothing. If you only have light sleeping bags, bring heavy blankets. Layer clothing for hikes as weather changes quickly at higher elevations. I address this topic on my Camping With Five Kids blog as well.
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you are a joy to read
Hi Victoria – how often do we remember to take with us all the right gear … and it's horrible being cold! Interesting facts about elevation and different mountain ranges – cheers Hilary
And, Marie, your kind words are treasure for my soul. Thank you for visiting Camping with Kids and leaving a note. All the best, my dear!
All the years we have been camping with kids, Hilary, we always forget something. I hate being cold. Now we always squeeze in heavier coats when camping in mountains or higher elevations. Thanks so much for visiting Camping with Kids and leaving a note. Always a pleasure seeing you here.
It's amazing how quick the temperature can change. Great advice to check elevations before visiting. Great post!
Always a pleasure seeing you here at Camping with Kids, Michelle. Thank you for your kind words. Especially when camping, it is important to understand the temperature and weather of the area in which you are staying. All the best to you, my dear!
Excellent advice, there is nothing as dispiriting as being cold, only being cold and wet! Considering all the places you get to Victoria Marie your family must have a fair amount of camping and walking gear.
Bill
http://walksintameside.co.uk
Hello, Bill. I hope all is well with you. Thank you for your kind words here at Camping with Kids. Yes, I'd say over the years we've collected a fair amount of camping equipment and hiking gear.
It’s important to note that we didn't start out with all this gear first. That's what I'm trying to show families here at Camping with Kids. They don't need to buy everything all at once before they can go camping. Always a pleasure seeing you here, Bill. Thanks for your note.
Thank you for all these great advice and tips. Its a pleasure to visit here and read your post.
It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Camping with Kids, Nas. Thank you for your kind words. I hope all is well.
That sounds like sound advice to check elevation. I'm impressed that you and your family do so much hiking. I like hiking too, as long as it's not too steep. I'm wicked scared of heights.
For me, edges scare me–whenever my children are with me. Not that I get close to edges, mind you. But I worry about my children being, well, children and pushing and shoving. Arches National Park was scary for that reason.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Theresa. Always a pleasure seeing you here at Camping with Kids. All the best to you, my dear.