Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive Colorado - Exploring My Life

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Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive Colorado

Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive in Rocky Mountain

Trail Ridge Road, the highest through highway in the United States, travels 45 miles over Trail Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park. The road runs above 12,000 feet for four miles and over 11,000 feet for 11 miles.

Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive
Trail Ridge Road  Drive

Panoramic View of Rocky Mountains

It climbs almost 5,000 vertical feet from Estes Park to its high point, traveling through three life zones, which is like traveling from Colorado to the Arctic Circle. The high grassy ridge has a severe climate with a short summer and over 40 inches of annual precipitation.

After checking out Rainbow Curve, continue up Trail Ridge Road for more overlooks. Forest Canyon Overlook views deep Forest Canyon and the Continental Divide. Rock Cut Overlook, two miles north of Forest Canyon Overlook, has views of the Continental Divide and Longs Peak. Gore Range Overlook has views of the distant Gore Range and the Never Summer Range. Milner Pass lies below Fall River Pass and Farview Curve Overlook gazes down the Kawuneeche Valley on the park’s west side.

Trail Ridge Road Rocky Mtn National Park

Rocky Mountain Scenic Drive
Many visitors come to Rocky Mountain National Park specifically to drive over the famous Trail Ridge Road. Topping out at 12,183 feet (3713 meters), the road is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States.

If you are planning to make the drive, make sure to bring warm clothing no matter what the temperature is at lower elevations. It has snowed on Trail Ridge Road during every month of the year. The road closes at the higher elevations from mid October until Memorial weekend. Check the weather Forecasts and road condition while planning your trip

Trail Ridge Road is also known as U.S. Hwy 34 and offers visitors spectacular mountain views, alpine forests, alpine tundra, and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. Plan on spending about half a day driving Trail Ridge Road.

Trail Ridge Road Fun Facts

·        Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States!

·        Construction on Trail Ridge Road began in September, 1929 and was completed to Fall River Pass July, 1932.

·        The maximum grade on Trail Ridge does not exceed 7%.

·        Eight miles of the road are above 11,000 feet in elevation.

·        The Scenic Trail Ridge Road is called as scenic wonder road of the world.

·        It is the highest continuous paved highway in the nation - it is so high that drivers will climb 4,000 feet in a matter of minutes! Covering 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west.

·        It is open to vehicle traffic from around Memorial Day weekend until the Park Service closes it in the fall.

 

Trail Ridge Road Rocky Mountain National Park
Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive Colorado
Trail Ridge Road Scenic Overlook

Altitude Warning: Altitude sickness affects many visitors every year. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, and even unconsciousness. Altitude can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like heart and lung disease. Take your time, drink water, eat, and rest. The only cure for altitude sickness is to go down to a lower altitude.


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