All of Rocky's features are inseparably connected. Elemental forces of sky and earth still shape the sturdy rock foundation that supports life up to 14,000 feet above sea level. Riparian (wetland) ecosystems speckled across the lower elevations of the park contain lush plant life and dense wildlife. As you move higher, the landscape gives way to evergreen forests and high mountain lakes. Topping out on the alpine tundra reveals a harsh land where life nestles close to the ground in one of the earth's most extreme environments.