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This garden simulates a climb alongside Gore
Creek from 8,200 feet - the elevation of Betty Ford Alpine
Gardens - to the summit of the Gore Range at 13,000 feet.
Beginning in the Kid's Amphitheater, interpretive signs lead
visitors through the different life zones up to the alpine
zone in the heart of the Gore Mountains. This impressive mountain
range forms the backdrop of the gardens themselves and the
focal point for this adventure.
Starting in the narrowleaf
cottonwood trees surrounding the amphitheater, a winding path
follows up through aspen woodlands and past the pond and wetland.
Once past the pond the path splits to simulate the ecosystems
of the south facing slopes in comparison with north facing
slopes. This difference in microclimate is readily apparent
looking at the mountain slopes rising above and around the
Garden themselves. The left fork follows up through the region
known as the 'krummholz' zone where grotesquely stunted aspens
reveal the hardships of the climate and give way quickly to
the alpine zone where a few stunted spruce and fir are the
only break in the landscape.
Following back down from the
alpine zone the path dips down through a limestone 'gorge'
where ferns and other cliff dwelling plants thrive in the
cool damp air. Lodgepole pine and Douglas fir dominate this
side of the garden until the path reaches the pond where children
can follow stepping-stones across the pond to look more closely
at the wetland plantings.
Throughout the garden, footprints
of local mammals criss-cross the path in their own habitat
from the lowland fox to the mountain lion chasing a mule deer
up to the high realm of the pine marten. A relief map of the
local river watershed at the entrance to the garden reveals
to children how the small mountain creeks interconnect in
the different mountain valleys and come together in the main
valleys. Near the alpine zone is the 'Tree Ring Council'. At the top of the alpine zone view the Gore Range through the viewing scopes.
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