What it's like to travel on Old Fall River Road

Most people who venture to the alpine portions of Rocky Mountain National Park usually take Trail Ridge Road. However, the original road over the Continental Divide still exists. This one-way dirt road, known as Old Fall River Road, still takes park visitors to the Alpine Visitor Center, which sits at the lofty elevation of 11,796 feet above sea level.

Opened in 1920, Old Fall River Road was the first auto route in Rocky Mountain National Park that offered access to the park's high country, and was the only road into the park's interior until Trail Ridge Road opened in 1932. The historic 11-mile road, once an Indian path, leads travelers from Horseshoe Park to Fall River Pass. Along the way you'll have access to Chasm Falls, as well as the trails leading to Mt. Chapin, Mt. Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain.

If you've never taken the road and wondered what it was like, or worried that it might be too "scary", this high-speed video shows what you'll experience along the entire route:




Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Old Fall River Road Will Close For Major Work June 17 Through July 2

The Historic Old Fall River Road, the popular historic one-way dirt road from the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park to the Alpine Visitor Center, was damaged by avalanches during the spring of 2011. The project to repair this road will start on Monday, June 17th. Old Fall River Road will be closed completely to all uses, 24-hours/day, from June 17 through July 2. Closure signs will be placed at the Alpine Visitor Center and the gate at Endovalley. The project involves heavy equipment and moving large rocks to repair the retaining wall. Therefore, it is necessary to close the area to public use including hiking and cycling during this period.

For additional information on Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trail Ridge Road Will Open Today For The Season

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will open late morning today (Friday, May 24th). Due to heavy melting on the road during the day and freezing temperatures at night, visitors should plan for likely night closures in their travel plans. The Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store are expected to open sometime next week.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened early on May 14. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet and connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 17.

National Park Service plow operators normally begin clearing the snow in the middle of April. Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the Alpine Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is the highest in the National Park Service, sitting at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms often impact plowing activities. This year, plow operators encountered average snow drifts from 18 to 22 feet. Much of the snow came in the early spring.

Park staff expect a busy Memorial Day Weekend. The two reservation campgrounds in the park are full on Saturday and Sunday and the first come, first served campgrounds are expected to fill. From lower elevations the mountain peaks look majestic with blankets of snow. The park's backcountry still looks and feels like winter above 9,000 feet. Because weather conditions may change rapidly, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to call the park's Trail Ridge Road recorded phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line during and after regular office hours, when the road status changes.

For information on hiking in the park, please visit RockyMountainHikingTrails.com.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com