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Trail Ridge Road Summit
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62 votes
Description
This road is closed for winter (usually mid-October through late-May). Please check the road status website before embarking on a scenic drive.
Covering the 48-miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, Trail Ridge Road more than lives up to its advanced billing. Eleven miles of this highway travels above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park's evergreen forests come to a halt. 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. More ambitious visitors to the park may decide to ride their bicycles to this gem!
This is a great way to have a unique experience while traveling from the park's more highly-visited east side to the less-visited (and Gem-filled) west side.
On the Road: Summer Only. Drive west on US 34 out of Estes Park, or east from Grand Lake.
Family Friendly: This gem can be experienced from the comfort of your vehicle.
Gem Type: Viewpoint
Check-Ins
Nearby Gems
Nearby Trails
8.3
mi
13.3
km
Sky Pond
Difficult
Estes Park, CO
|
Difficult
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
326
|
|
3.3
mi
5.4
km
Emerald Lake
Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
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Intermediate
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Estes Park, CO |
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373
|
|
|
14.0
mi
22.5
km
Longs Peak - Keyhole Route
Difficult
Estes Park, CO
|
Difficult
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
135
|
|
|
8.4
mi
13.5
km
Chasm Lake
Difficult
Estes Park, CO
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Difficult
|
Estes Park, CO |
Minor Issues
Update
Snowy - Definitely need micro spikes for most part but beautiful day and surprisingly much drier above tree line..
14 days ago
|
115
|
|
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6.0
mi
9.7
km
Loch Vale
Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
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Intermediate
|
Estes Park, CO |
Minor Issues
Update
Snowy - Use of Microspikes recommended. Hard pack until the Mill's Lake/Loch Vale split. Snow was deeper, but manageable after.
15 days ago
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89
|
|
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5.7
mi
9.1
km
Best of Bear Lake Area Loop
Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
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Intermediate
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
142
|
|
0.6
mi
1.0
km
Bear Lake Trail
Easy
Estes Park, CO
|
Easy
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
89
|
|
|
6.1
mi
9.9
km
Cub Lake Loop
Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
|
Intermediate
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
74
|
|
3.8
mi
6.1
km
Mills Lake - Black Lake Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
|
Intermediate/Difficult
|
Estes Park, CO |
Unknown
Update
|
58
|
|
|
7.5
mi
12.1
km
Twin Sisters
Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
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Intermediate/Difficult
|
Estes Park, CO |
|
64
|
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