A Traveler's Experience

Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road (CO)

The best way to see Trail Ridge Road (TRR) is to take Fall River Road up and then Trail Ridge Road back down. Fall River Road, an uphill, one lane, one-way dirt road, was the original route across the high country before the TRR was built. I found the dirt road easy to navigate, even with my compact car, though you will want to check with the Park Rangers for current road conditions. There are beautiful waterfalls on the way up and incredible views that many will miss if they don't take the TRR both ways. Wildlife is abundant on the way up. I had a friendly Hoary Marmot waddle right up to my car, stand on his hind legs and beg for food. Of course, you never feed the wildlife! Once you reach the Alpine Visitor Center at the end of the dirt road, you can take Trail Ridge Road back down to the Beaver Meadow Valley. Keep an eye on the rocks around the parking area at the Alpine Visitor Center and you will see Pika scampering about gathering vegetation to take back to their dens. I also was fortunate to see a Coyote trotting along above the treeline on my way back down Trail Ridge Road. What a great trip. Don't miss it!