On Top of the World: Trail Ridge Road

People and cars look as small as ants when on top of the world.

One of the most scenic drives in all of Colorado is definitely Trail Ridge Road, driving between Estes Park and Grand Lake.

 

I usually find myself singing along to the Dixie Chicks' song 'Top of the World' (toward the end where it starts to build and crescendo...more of an overcast day song) or any of James Taylor's tracks... as I traverse this high mountain road full of beauty and mountain views. Every which way you look as you approach the top, are myriads of mountain peaks, sky, and craggy open space.

 

 

This is probably my favorite drive in all of Colorado.

 

Just the facts, Ma'am:

 

• Generally takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on how often you stop for photo-ops) to drive from one end to the other.
• 11 miles of road are above treeline in the alpine tundra.
• 200 species of alpine plants. Very fragile ecosystem. Please stay on trails as these plants especially take much longer to grow back if trampled.
• Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass (elevation 10,120 feet).
• The highest point on the road is 12,183 feet (east of the Alpine Visitor Center).
• Look for wildlife such as marmots, pika, and ptarmigan who live in the arid, wintry alpine tundra environment.
• You can often see other wildlife such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and moose along the way.
• It is only open all the way through from late Spring to early Fall.
• To check road status call: 970-586-1222.

 

Other Highlights Along the Way:

• The Alpine Visitor Center is a nice destination once you get to the top. There is a café and snack counter if you want some refreshments, as well as, the main gift shop/souvenir center inside the park. There is a short trail just beside the parking lot if you want to stretch your legs. However, due to the altitude and wind you may prefer to chill and sip hot cocoa inside.
• Old Fall River Road is a one-way (up only) road on the east side that will take you to the Alpine Visitor Center. It generally opens around July 4th. It is a narrow, gravel road with a 15 mph speed limit. Be advised. Check road conditions to be sure road is open.
• Hike along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail or
• Take a tour of Holzwarth Historic Site, near Grand Lake. Hike about half a mile to the old cabin.
• On the east side, just after the treeline stops, walk in the footsteps of the Ute Amerindians along the Ute Trail.
• The Bear Lake Road trailheads can fill up fast in the summertime. If you don't want the hassle of trying to find a parking spot there are free park shuttle buses. Highly recommended.

 

Be Aware:

 

Due to the high elevation be sure to stay hydrated and be aware of altitude sickness symptoms.

 

Even if the temperature is 80 degrees in Grand Lake or Estes it is always cool (if not cold) and generally windy up above treeline.

 

Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are narrow, high mountain roads. Use Caution.

Be prepared for the possibility of fast moving weather systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moose sighting!!

So, I finally got to see "the elusive moose" as one of my friends recently stated. I drove to north central Colorado to a town called Walden. From Fort Collins you head west on highway 14 for about a couple of hours. The entire drive is complete scenery; from the views of Poudre Canyon to the open landscape surrounding Walden and the surrounding area of North Park.

Although Walden is called "the moose viewing capital of Colorado", I found that the higher concentration of moose are closer to Gould, Colorado (about 30 miles east of Walden). Going on the advice of another blogger and a few other folk, I found that Cameron Pass and Long Draw Road are two great spots to check out. In fact, both days that I went looking for moose, I found them while driving along Long Draw Road. On the first day I went in the evening, just before dusk, and saw 5 moose! On the second day I went in the afternoon and saw 2. Anyway, it was so cool to actually see moose in Colorado! Up until 2 years ago, I had no idea we had them here!

Other Recommendations:

Walden:
*Antler's Inn (lodging)
*North Park Inn and Suites (lodging

**Moose Creek Cafe (restaurant)
You have got to try their "K and K french toast"--made with raspberry sauce, powdered sugar and corn flakes.


Between Fort Collins and Walden:

There are TONS of campgrounds along the Poudre Canyon and all along highway 14! There are also about a half dozen cabin places to spend the night littered along the drive as well--some more modern or rustic then others.

So, if you'd like to see for yourself that Colorado is home to several hundred moose--be sure to check out north central Colorado.

Better luck next time...

Well, I didn't see any moose...although its not for lack of trying! Several Grand Lake residents said that it is common to see moose walking through the middle of town every so often. I also talked with a ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park and she said that there are around 200 moose in north-central Colorado. And somewhere around 20-60 in the Kawuneeche Valley of RMNP, including the surrounding towns, such as Grand Lake. So, I guess I'll have to keep trying. Apparently the best times to spot them are dawn and dusk, although its possible to see them venturing out at anytime of day.

Anyway, all was not lost...I did manage to see a very cute and lonely coyote, which I've never seen in the wild before, along with the usual elk sightings (see pictures above).

In search of a moose sighting...

So, next week I am hoping to drive up to Grand Lake, Colorado in search of moose sightings. I hear moose sightings are rare in Colorado--but not impossible, as this woman's blog proves. Apparently, moose were introduced to Colorado in 1978, as I found on a couple of websites (although this is not the first finding of moose in Colorado).

Anyway, here are some other websites to explore. I'll keep you posted on my expedition....


(FYI: the picture above is from Mooseworld.com)