The Holzwarth Historic Site is one of the more interesting stops along Trail Ridge Road. The trail tells an interesting personal story of settlers in the Kawuneeche Valley before it became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1975.
Grand Lake is a small town that sits at the western end of Trail Ridge Road just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. It makes a great base for exploring the national park.
The Alpine Visitor Center is roughly the halfway point of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a good place to stop and rest before continuing the rest of the drive.
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the great scenic roads in the United States. It covers 48 miles of US 34 between the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake and reaches a high point of 12,183 feet.
On the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park are two small mountain lakes that are worth visiting. Sprague Lake and Bear Lake both have short trails around them and are a great opportunity to spot wildlife. They’re located near the Glacier Basin campground.
The song “America the Beautiful” makes reference to “purple mountain majesties”. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado helped make sense of that line for me. The unparalleled beauty of the Rocky Mountains is on full display in this park.
If traveling between Denver and Estes Park, it’s a great idea to drive down the Peak to Peak National Scenic Byway. This 55 mile route takes a bit longer but is well worth the time.