The Rocky Mountain High: Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
- Route: Estes Park to Grand Lake, Colorado | Distance: 48 miles | Duration: 1-2 days
Colorado’s Trail Ridge Road, known as the “Highway to the Sky,” offers an alpine autumn experience at breathtaking elevations. As the highest continuous paved road in the United States, it winds through Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching heights of over 12,000 feet. The 48-mile route showcases golden aspens against evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks, traversing diverse ecosystems from montane forests to alpine tundra.
Highlights:
Alpine Visitor Center: At 11,796 feet, it’s the highest visitor center in the National Park System, offering panoramic views of the valleys below, often dusted with early snow.
Holzwarth Historic Site: This preserved 1920s dude ranch provides a glimpse into Colorado’s pioneer past, framed by golden aspens in autumn.
Gore Range Overlook: At 12,010 feet, it offers views of the Never Summer Mountains and Kawuneeche Valley, where fall colors often mingle with the season’s first snowfall.
Where to Stay: Populus, opening in Denver in September 2024, aims to be the country’s first carbon-positive hotel. This innovative property features 265 modern rooms and a biophilic exterior inspired by aspen tree bark patterns.