Old Fall River Road

The road is a total of eleven miles long, and it ends at the Alpine Center near Trail Ridge Road. The road is only open from around July 4th to sometime in October. The winter weather is so rough on the road that it has to be literally rebuilt each year. We had visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times before we hit the right time for the road to be open for traffic, so if you happen to be in the park during this time make Old Fall River Road a priority; on your next visit it might be closed. It is also very easy to miss the road coming from Estes Park because most eyes look towards the mountains, and that's where the car goes. The first few miles of Old Fall River Road is at at a low climbing grade.

However, if you want to get high into the mountains in a hurry, you will not be disappointed. Stay on the road and soon you will be traveling a winding gravel road at at elevation of 12,000 feet, looking down at snow covered mountaintops at elevations of around 9,000 feet.

Before you get to the higher elevations, make sure that you stop by Chasm Falls. The point of stopping is the water, but the scenery is beautiful in every direction.

Chasm Falls is very easy to get to from the main road, and the falls are among the prettiest in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are good spots for photo-ops from the bottom of the falls to the top. The falls drop 25 feet onto granite rocks. It is permitted to "rock-hop" around the falls, but be careful - the rocks can be very smooth and slippery.

Look for wildlife at Chasm Falls. The big animals like elk and mule deer hang out around the park.

The smaller animals like squirrels and chipmunks are always there. It never ceases to amaze me how people take to the chipmunks.

The road up into the mountains is safe, but you still need to be paying attention. The scenery is beautiful, and the driver is not going to have as much opportunity as his passengers to take it all in because he has to keep his eyes on the road and keep moving or else he's have the more impatient riding his bumper. Make sure you take advantage of pull-offs from time to time so that you can have time to leisurely enjoy the spectacular views and get some good pictures.

When you get to the mountaintop and the road begins to level some, there are some pretty little lakes. Park your car, get out and walk around. Yes, it's summer but remember to take a jacket. It's going to be cold out there. Those furry creatures that you will see crawling on on the rocks are probably marmots.

Just past the lakes, you will see the Alpine Visitor Center. If you have time stop and spend a little time there. There is a nice gift shop, restrooms, and a restaurant with spectacular views of some of the territory you just traveled. Find a window seat.