Trail Ridge Road: This highway to heaven was completed in 1932 to replace the steep old Fall River Road. It is a major attraction of the Park due to its unique altitude and the unique environment that it travels through. It is the highest road (12,183') in the United States and travels through Arctic tundra like no other. It travels above the tree line for 11 miles (average tree line here is 11,400') with a total length in the Park of 44 miles.
Because of the elevation, the road is closed from about November to late May, depending on the weather. Access from the west in winter can be made to Milner Pass by snowmobile only. (See tour Virtual Road Tour for such a trip.)
Trail Ridge was named for the historic Ute Trail, an Indian foot route across the Rockies along this path, used as far back as at least 11,000 years ago. Many overlooks dot the road to give sweeping views of the various Park features, including the Mummy Range, Horseshoe Park, Beaver Meadows, and the Kawuneeche Valley with the Colorado River.
Our Virtual Road Tour provides many panoramas from these areas for your viewing pleasure.#
