Never Summer Mountains, Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway 

Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway, which is the highest continuously-paved road in the United States, traverses some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the National Park system. The byway incorporates the original Trail Ridge Road from Deer Ridge to Fall River Pass, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2007. Road construction started in 1929 to create an alternative to Fall River Road, which is steep, narrow, and difficult to maintain. Trail Ridge Road was completed to Fall River Pass in July, 1932, and an additional road, now part of the byway, was added to reach Grand Lake in 1938. The route was designed with the visitor in mind, passing through areas with unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains and augmented with numerous scenic overlooks and trails. The Rocky Mountain News at the time described Trail Ridge Road as "the scenic wonder road of the world".

Cutting through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, the byway climbs 4,000 feet in elevation as it passes through three lifezones -- montane forest, subalpine forest, and alpine tundra. Starting at the town of Estes Park and progressing up to an elevation of 9,000 feet, montane forests of aspen and ponderosa pine dominate. Rivers and streams wind through the montane forests to create riparian ecosystems that support a variety of animals and plants. From 9,000 feet to the treeline at 11,500 feet, fir and spruce are plentiful. Winters are longer and colder in this subalpine zone, leading to less diversity of plants and animals compared to the montane forest. At the treeline are Krummholz trees that are twisted into fanciful shapes in their attempt to withstand the harsh winds that exist here.

Above the treeline, plants have adapted to the dry, cold climate by adopting forms that conserve water and resist high winds that are undeflected by forests. Almost one-third of the byway is in this alpine tundra zone that resembles the Canadian and Alaskan arctic. Here visitors can marvel at the sweep of majestic, snow-capped mountains stretching in all directions -- north to Wyoming, east to the Front Range and Great Plains, and south and west into the center of the Rocky Mountains. This region is home to the Bighorn Sheep, herds of which are often seen here. In the Spring and Summer, colorful tundra wildflowers and other interesting tundra plants are abundant. These flora are small, compact, and close to the ground and therefore best appreciated by observing them on foot at close range.

The road reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet before descending towards Fall River Pass and the Alpine Visitor Center, an excellent place to stop and learn about this alpine world. The Visitor Center also has a gift shop and restaurant. From the Visitor Center, the byway continues to descend toward the west and passes over the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. Continuing south and west, the byway parallels the Colorado River, where Moose often browse and attract crowds of wildlife enthusiasts. The byway ends just past the Kawuneeche Visitor Center at the town of Grand Lake.

North Central Colorado; the town of Estes Park is at the eastern entrance, and the town of Grand Lake is at the western terminus

48 miles

Approximately one and a half hours.

Minimum: A half day, allowing only a few stops

Recommended: One day

Road is usually open from Memorial Day weekend until mid-October, weather permitting

Two-lane paved road, well-maintained; afternoon thunderstorms are common, and snow can occur during summer months; traffic can be heavy, and there are some sections of the road along steep dropoffs without railings

Rocky Mountain National Park: (970)586-1206

Estes Park Chamber of Commerce: (800)-ESTES-08 (800-378-3708)

Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce: (800)531-1019 or (970)627-3402

From the western end of the town of Estes Park, drive northwest on U.S. Hwy 34; drive 48 miles on Hwy 34 over Trail Ridge to the town of Grand Lake.