How High Is Trail Ridge Road?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As it winds across the tundra’s vastness to its high point at

12,183 feet

elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their car.

Is Trail Ridge Road scary to drive?

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 in North America?

This 77 km road from Estes Park to the town of Grand Lake takes in some of the best views of the Rocky Mountains National Park.

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved highway of the United Stated

and travels partly above the tree line.

What is significant about Trail Ridge Road height?

The Trail Ridge Road is

the highest paved through road in Colorado

and it is also the highest paved road in Colorado that crosses the continental divide (Cottonwood Pass at 12,126 feet is the second highest, and Colorado State Highway 82 at 12,095 feet going through Independence Pass is the third highest).

How long does it take to drive the Trail Ridge Road?

Continue driving north into Rocky Mountain National Park via Trial Ridge Road, and keep an eye out for some magnificent view points along the way. If you choose to drive the full length of this scenic pass through to Estes Park, the drive will take approximately

1.5 to 2 hours

.

How much of Trail Ridge Road is scary?

There are only about

2 to 3 miles

of Trail Ridge Road that some people find bothersome. Stopping and getting out of the car by taking advantage of the many overlooks and short trails along the way usually helps to calm people who have fears of the road.

What is the most scenic drive in Colorado?

  1. Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is one of the most spectacular drives in all of Colorado, and ranks up there as one of the top in the world. …
  2. Mount Evans Road. …
  3. Pike’s Peak Highway. …
  4. The Million Dollar Highway. …
  5. Top of the Rockies. …
  6. Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway. …
  7. Poudre Canyon. …
  8. Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway.

What is the highest paved road in Colorado?

The

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

, just 60 miles west of Denver, is the highest paved road in North America.

Can you stop on Trail Ridge Road?

Places to Stop on Trail Ridge Road. Driving Trail Ridge Road in its entirety is 43 miles from the Estes Park entrance all the way to Grand Lake.

The Alpine Valley Visitor Center is right near the peak/halfway (20 miles)

which makes for a great day trip and less of a time commitment.

What Mountain does Trail Ridge Road climb?

Biking Trail Ridge Road: A Beautiful Colorado Climb Into

Rocky Mountain National Park

.

What is the highest peak in Estes Park Colorado?

At an elevation of 14,259 feet,

Longs Peak

is the highest peak in the park.

Is the drive up to Estes Park scary?


The roads that take you to Estes Park are not “scary” at all

. Some people think that Old Fall River Road in RMNP is “scary” because there are no guardrails. You can watch more videos of the drive over TRR on YouTube.

How many stops Trail Ridge Road?

Rocky Mountain National Park’s Most Scenic Drive:

12

Incredible Stops on Trail Ridge Road | OutThere Colorado.

Can I drive Trail Ridge Road without a pass?


A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet.

What is the best hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?

  • Sky Pond Hike. …
  • Alluvial Fan Hike. …
  • Chasm Lake Hike. Distance: 8.8 miles. …
  • Storm Pass Hike. Distance: .2 miles. …
  • Mt Ida Hike. Distance: 9.3 miles. …
  • Longs Peak Hike (Keyhole Route) Distance: 14.8 miles. …
  • Tombstone Ridge Hike. Distance: 5.6 miles. …
  • Cub Lake Trail Hike. Distance: 6 miles.

What’s it like driving Trail Ridge Road?

Driving Trail Ridge Road

can be messy, with rain, sleet, and snow at times

. I would not recommend driving a car designed for summer-only driving. All-weather tires will make your drive much easier if it begins to sleet.

Is Trail Ridge Road one way?

Unlike the one-way Fall River Road,

Trail Ridge Road facilitates two-way travel

. Finally, Trail Ridge was designed to incorporate frequent pullouts and parking areas as it winds over Milner Pass.

Is Trail Ridge Road a loop?


There is no loop back per say

.

How safe is Trail Ridge Road?

And yet, according to park officials, there have been

very few fatal accidents

along Trail Ridge Road. “We have a few motor vehicle accidents a year along Trail Ridge Road, but few are fatal,” says Rocky Mountain spokeswoman Kyle Patterson.

Has anyone drove off Rocky Mountain National Park?

“As we know, accidents can happen, but

the majority of people recreating in Rocky Mountain National Park have a very safe experience

,” said Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson. About 150 people die in national parks each year, according to the latest federal data, tracked between 2007 and 2013.

Is Rocky Mountain National Park scary to drive?

No matter which route you take to get to RMNP

it is not a scary drive

(there are several ways to get there). It is not scary driving in RMNP although there are two roads you might choose to avoid: Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road. Old Fall River Road is a steep, one-way unpaved road.

What is the steepest road in Colorado?


Slumgullion Pass

is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.514m (11,530ft) above the sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in southwestern Colorado, USA. It claims the steepest grades of any fully paved and maintained road in Colorado.

Is Mt Evans worth the drive?


The road is good for the most part – but be very careful and go super slow where it gets narrow and twisty

. I counted 18 mountain goats near the top, and saw several marmots. Because of the elevation drink lots of water (yes, there is a restroom at the top and along the way!)

What mountain in Colorado can you drive up?

Drive the 19-mile paved toll road to the summit of

Pikes Peak

– America’s Mountain. Built in 1915, this winding road is the perfect scenic drive, offering views of lakes, mountains, wildlife and the surrounding area.

What is the most difficult Pass in Colorado?

Million Dollar Highway


Red Mountain Pass

is notoriously tough to drive during the winter and features tricky 8 % grade sections. Named after the price some say it’d take them to willingly drive it, the Million Dollar Highway often tops lists for most dangerous drives in the world.

How steep is i70 in Colorado?

Base Elevation: 8,795 ft Driving Distance: 8.5 miles Posted Speed Limit: 60 mph / Trucks over 15 tons, 30 mph Steepest Reported Grade:

7% for 7 miles
Calculated Average Grade: 5.2% for 8.6 miles

How high is Mount Everest above sea level?

29,032′

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.