It's that season again when the majestic Trail Ridge Road bids adieu to through traffic, with Rocky Mountain National Park officials putting the brakes on cars passing through its high-altitude path. As noted by the National Park Service, the iconic route is now shut at Rainbow Curve on the east and at Colorado River Trailhead on the west. While the closure points may shift with the whims of autumn, don't bank on cruising all the way through until the flowers bloom in late May, or when the park staff give the thumbs up, weather willing.
High-elevation travel isn't a cakewalk, especially when you're talking about a road that soars above 11,500 feet for a good 11-mile stretch. With the road scarce on guard rails, shoulders like a model's, and winter ready to unleash its frozen fists of snow, wind, and sub-zero tempers, it's clear why the gates are closed. Trail Ridge Road doesn't mess around when it comes to the cold season. Yet, for those with a penchant for pedals or paws, the road is all yours until the calendar strikes December.
For those wondering about their options to enjoy the park's splendor, the crisp fall and impending winter still allow for bicycles, sturdy boots, and leashed pets to make their mark on Trail Ridge and Old Fall River Roads up until the end of November. "Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the roads, not on side trails," according to the National Park Service. But come December 1, slap on your ski or snowshoe bindings, two wheels and four paws are off the menu as the area transitions to a winter wonderland of trails.
Trail Ridge Road isn't just another high road, it's a historical asphalt marvel and the highest continuous paved road in the great U.S. of A., proudly crowning the air at 12,183 feet. The road has been wowing folks since Horace Albright, the former National Park Service director, as per National Park Service, waxed poetic in 1931, saying, "it is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make... you will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions." And though you can't drive its full glory in the snowy season, there's a slew of scenic routes in Rocky Mountain National Park that are open for some windshield tourism, like Bear Lake Road and the accessible stretches of Trail Ridge Road itself.
