RMNP Trail Ridge Road

I had trepidations about driving this road, Rocky Mtn National Park's most northern route across the park from east to west. Without a doubt, I knew I had to experience it...whether doing the driving myself or taking a tour.

But when there are lookouts and such, you kinda want to be on your own schedule and not have someone tell you it's time to move on." Plus, I wanted to go further on the west side than a tour would have probably taken me. AND!!! I would not have seen the MOOSE had I not driven myself.

So, off we go....my friend and I ....my stomach churning just a little. I don't like heights, and roads without guardrails make me quiver. I get bruises on the inside of my knees!

Well, let me tell you: It wasn't too bad. It was so absolutely gorgeous. Every overlook had a different view and was more stunning than the next. And the road, well yes, there were areas where I hugged the center line, but it was a nicely paved road and wide enough for two cars. I'm not sure I'd want to do it again, but am certainly glad I did it once.

So, here are the pictures of the Trail Ridge Road, the second highest paved highway in the U.S. (I'll be doing the Mt. Evans highway, the highest, within the next few weeks. )

The Trail Ridge Roads takes off from the town of Estes Park, and so does the Fall River Road which can be seen in this photo. The upper road is the Fall River Road, a 9-mile one-way dirt road that ends at the Alpin Visitor Center on the Trail Ridge Road. From what I saw, the Fall River Road is even scarier than the Trail Ridge. This photo was taken from the Rainbow Curve stop, one of 12 stops along the route.

To view more photos of Rocky Mountain Natinal Park and the town of Estes Park, click on one of the links below. A link on that page will lead you to the others.

Estes Park

Rocky Mountain NP hikes

Route 7 highlights

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Please visit some of my other travel locations. Feel free to email me if you have questions or comments.

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Grand Lake Lodge is the brainchild of Roe Emery, a pioneer in Colorado tourism. Construction began in April of 1919. Using lodgepole pines from the area, it was completed a year later. It sits high on a ledge overlooking Grand Lake, Grand Lake Village and, to its right, Shadow Mountain Lake.

In 1973 a fire at the lodge did extensive damage and closed the hotel for seven years until the painstaking job of refurbishing it was complelted.

The photo above is of the lobby and its unique and cozy fireplace. The photo to the right shows the lodge's front porch, fondly called "America's Favorite Front Porch." It overlooks a 'grand' view.

Grand Lake Village is definitely geared toward the tourists. Its wooden boardwalk runs the length of Grand Avenue for several blocks, offering shops, some of them souvenir-type, eateries and sporting goods stores, to name a few.

Grand Lake Village is just off Highway 34, a continuation of the Trail Ridge Road.