We got to
Estes Park, Colorado on Friday, July 18, 2008. It was a short drive from Glenwood Springs, through Boulder. Another pretty drive, following the Colorado River for most of the way.On Saturday we headed out to Rocky Mountain National Park. We headed up the Old Fall River Road. It was built between 1913 and 1920 and was the first motor route to cross Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park. In the 9 miles you travel from the montane meadows and woodlands through subalpine forests to the alpine tundra.
Old Fall River Road remains much as it was in 1920. It follows the steep slope of Mt. Chapin, numerous drop offs and hairpin turns on a narrow dirt road. Today, as it was when the road was built, it remains the edge of wilderness.
During the early construction phase, all work was done by 38 convicts from a Colorado state penitentiary. The road was slightly widened and straightened in 1932, following this the road was designated a one-way route.
The journey begins at 8,558 feet above sea level and ends at Fall River Pass, 11,796 feet. As you climb, the temperature cools by roughly 3 to 5 degrees for each 1,000 foot gain in elevation.
At the end of the Old Fall River Road you come to the Alpine Visitor Center Center, built in 1965 by the National Park Service. We stopped here to stretch our leg and have some lunch. There is a path that leads up to the top of the mountain and you reach 2.3 miles above sea level. It was quite a hike up the side of the mountain but we both managed the climb.From here, we returned via Train Ridge Road back to Estes Park, 25 miles to the east. Along the way back we found several herds of elk grazing along the side of the road. We also saw some yellow bellied marmot. Cute little critters that don't seem to care if you are there or not.
It was a wonderful drive and we stopped several places and hiked the trails to waterfalls and glaciers and rock formations. As I have said before.....INCREDIBLE !!!!
That is all for now.
Miss you all,
\
Candy and Johnny
