“It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make. You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions,” said Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, during the Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road construction in 1931. Experience this “sensation” as you ascend America’s highest continuously paved road through Rocky Mountain National Park to an astonishing elevation of 12,183 feet. Here, you’ll wonder whether you’re in the Colorado Rockies or near the Arctic Circle, 2,000 miles away!
Begin your ascent on the byway in Estes Park, the eastern starting point of the byway. Follow either U.S. Highway 34 or U.S. Highway 36 west to Deer Ridge Junction. Soon, you’ll arrive at Many Parks Curve . Pull off here and step out of your vehicle to take in the east side of the Rockies. You’ll understand the name of the overlook as you look down upon several mountain-enclosed meadows, or parks. See Mother Nature’s palette at its best as it splashes the meadows with swatches of red, pink, yellow, purple, blue, and white.
Climb even higher as the air thins along the byway for about four miles, and pull off at Rainbow Curve, which was named for the brilliant rainbows that are often seen from the overlook after thunderstorms. Look east towards Sheep Lake, where a natural mineral lick attracts bighorn sheep. Keep a sharp eye out for black bears, moose, bobcats, coyotes, deer, weasels, marmots, and muskrat. As you leave the overlook, notice the trees, characterized by distinctive shapes formed by their struggle to survive the altitude’s harsh conditions, including severe wind, ice, and grit. Study these twisted forms, and notice the only surviving tree branches hovering on the downwind side of the tree trunk as they seek protection from the elements.
Ascend the byway almost three miles to Forest Canyon Overlook, and see a dizzying panorama of the vast Forest Canyon. The canyon’s distinctive U-shape is a result of glaciers grinding a small V-shaped stream valley into the ice-scoured valley you see today. Beyond the valley, you’ll see high mountain peaks following the Continental Divide as it runs northwest to southeast through the center of Rocky Mountain National Park. Streamflows on one side of the divide travel to the west, while they travel east and eventually drain into the Atlantic Ocean on the other side. Consequentially, two distinct climate patterns occur—an arid climate on the east side and a humid climate on the west side that receives almost twice the precipitation than the east side of the park. You’ll experience the arid climate until you cross the Continental Divide a little over four miles past the Alpine Visitor Center.
Continue about two miles further to the Alpine Visitor Center, where you will find even more evidence of glacial activity, alpine tundra, and tundra displays inside. Take a ranger-led walk in the “Land Above the Trees,” or walk around the area at your own pace, being careful not to disturb the delicate ecosystem with a careless step. Don’t forget your jacket as you walk the windswept alpine world, which can be 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the endpoints of the byway. Interestingly, the climate and environment resemble those in the Arctic Circle. The air is thinner, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays strike with high intensity. Surprisingly, about 200 species of alpine plants survive the unforgiving climate conditions. Notice the “cushion plants” resembling clumps of moss as they hug the ground, escaping the strong winds blowing a few inches above. Don’t disturb the blooming flowers--they can take up to two years to form buds. Snap a few photos before descending the byway over the Continental Divide to the Grand Lake area, where the climate may be dramatically different from that at the beginning of your journey.
Travel Colorado's Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road, and you’ll appreciate the power of the Rocky Mountains, capable of changing climates and controlling the flow of its streams and rivers as they forge their way to deep blue oceans. You’ll also discover a newfound respect and awe for this mighty mountain range as you take an unforgettable journey amongst delicate ecosystems, glacier-scoured valleys, and ominous mountain peaks.
Birding on Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road
Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road Overview