Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the USA
Trail Ridge Road is the name for a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 with a length of 48 mi (77 km) located in Larimer County, Colorado, in USA. It is said to be the highest continuous paved road in the country.
Is Trail Ridge Road scary?
Tucked away in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road is totally paved in good conditions. The road, also known as Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway, cuts through Rocky Mountain National Park between the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, and is one of the best ways to see the Continental Divide as it cuts through Colorado. If you don’t like heights be warned, there are switch backs and steep sides with very few barriers on this route through the mountains.The road is actually far less scary than many of Colorado's famous mountain roads.
Is Trail Ridge Road the highest paved road?
It is said to be the highest continuous paved road in the country. This is a remarkable road trip. Remember to bring your camera. Construction of the road began in 1929 and was completed to Fall River Pass by July 1932, with a maximum grade of 7%. Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Trail Ridge Road crests at 3.721m (12,209ft) and climbs up Milner Pass, Trail Ridge, Fall River Pass and Iceberg Pass. The name "Trail Ridge Road" derives from its proximity to historic pathways used by native peoples to cross the Rocky Mountains. It traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, Colorado in the east to Grand Lake, Colorado in the west.
Is Trail Ridge Road closed?
With such a high summit altitude the road can be closed anytime due to snowfalls. Trail Ridge Road is closed during the winter, and often remains closed until late spring or early summer depending on the snowpack. It requires access to Rocky Mountain National Park even for local residents. Due to the high elevations and exposure, park roads are subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Road conditions in and around the park can change quickly, particularly in the spring and fall.
How many miles is the Trail Ridge Road?
The road is 48 mi (77 km) long between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west. The speed limit is low. This road will provide you with some unique and exciting driving experience.The drive itself is picturesque and not particularly challenging.
How long does it take to drive the Trail Ridge Road?
This is a remarkable road trip. Make sure you leave enough time to make plenty of stops along the way. Put aside at least a half day for the trip. Longer, if possible. It can be very crowded during holidays. Definitely take your time and stop at as many viewpoints as you can. It’s heavily traveled by inexperienced tourists, who end up driving in the middle of the road. Summer days and weekends are very busy, especially between 9am and 3pm, so plan accordingly.