The montane lifezone is especially diverse, sandwiched between the habitats of the high mountains and the foothills.

July is an excellent time to observe birds in the upper montane aspen forests, wildflower meadows, and riparian groves of spruce of the Castle Creek Valley, offering prime habitat for classic Rocky Mountain birds such as dusky grouse, Red-naped sapsucker, yellow-rumped warbler, mountain bluebird, broad-tailed hummingbird, northern goshawk, various flycatchers, and many more.