As you leave Rainbow Curve, you begin the climb through the last few trees out onto the stark world of the tundra. This is an extremely
fragile environment, as the soil here is only a fraction of an inch thick. Damage to it can take 100 years to heal, so it is important that
you stay on the roadway and established trails at all times.
On the right side of the road is the Tundra World Nature Trail,
which gives you a chance to get a closer look at the amazing
plant life to be found in this harsh environment. It leads to the
Roger Toll Memorial, a 360 degree peakfinder where mountains as
far as 65 miles away can be identified.
The next feature of note is the Lava Cliffs (elev. 12,080'). This is
not an actual volcano, but it is debris from eruptions in the
Specimen Mountain area over 25 million years ago. Glacial ice
actually carved the feature you can see today. Between here and
the Gore Range Overlook, you will reach the highest point on
Trail Ridge Road - 12,183 feet.
The Alpine Visitors Center at Fall River Pass (elev. 11,796) offers the highest shopping around - literally. The building on the left has a
gift shop with an attached snack shop. If you're lucky, one of the tables by the windows will be available. There's nothing better than
sitting here, sipping hot chocolate and gazing at the view of Fall River Road as it makes its final climb to join Trail Ridge Road right
beside the building you're sitting in. The Visitors Center itself is in the building on the right and has displays, views of the Fall River
Road area, and rangers on duty. There are toilets in the small building closer to the road.
Just ahead you will come to
Medicine Bow Curve (elev.
11,640). The peaks you can
see in the distance are the
Medicine Bow Mountains, 44
miles away in Wyoming. The
river in the valley below is the
Cache la Poudre, so named
because early French fur
trappers used to stash away
extra supplies of gun powder
here.
Specimen Mountain and the Never Summer Range from the Gore Range Overlook
|
You are now atop the ridge that gives Trail Ridge Road its name. On either side you will alternately gets glimpses of spectacular vistas
beyond. The most predominant is to your left, where you are following Forest Canyon far below. Be sure to stop and walk out to the
Forest Canyon Overlook (elev. 11,716') - though you may want to remember that you've made a considerable gain in altitude and take
it easy! Also see if you can identify Longs Peak from here, off to the left as you look towards the canyon.
While there are several small turnouts along the road where you
can enjoy the view (or let folks who are in a bigger hurry than you
are get past you) be sure to save time to linger at the next major
viewpoint, Rock Cut (elev. 12,110'). This is my personal favorite.
To your left is an exceptional look at the mountains of the
Continental Divide across the canyon from you and the Gorge
Lakes nestled in them. Ahead of you is Specimen Mountain and
the Never Summer Range marching away to the south. This is
also one of the best spots in the entire park for sunset pictures.
(Just remember, if you are here at sunset, it's going to be dark as
you drive back down.)
