Mini Tour

Rocky Mountain High

View from Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Credit: Margo Sloan.

With fall and winter's arrival approaching, September in Colorado's high country offers spectacular displays of flora and fauna. As the leaves begin to turn various hues of gold, aspen viewing is a favorite pastime come mid-September, and what better place to take in the beauty than right here in our backyard at the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park? AAA's Mini Tour this month travels two of Colorado's Scenic Byways-the Peak to Peak Highway and Trail Ridge Road, and stops in the surrounding towns of Estes Park and Granby along the way. Pack a coat, the camera and plenty of film for this trip filled with endless scenic vistas, soaring cliffs, wildlife viewing and plenty of entertaining activities.

Begin the tour west of Denver in Black Hawk and take Hwy. 119 north to Nederland. Dedicated as Colorado's first Scenic Byway in 1918, the Peak to Peak Highway is 55 miles of classic Colorado scenery. Enjoy the drive as the road hugs the rugged canyon walls of Gregory Gulch, then transitions into subalpine forests of ponderosa pine, spruce, fir and aspen. In the distance, towering Longs Peak rises to 14,255 feet, dwarfing the neighboring mountains.

Nederland marks the halfway point of this byway. In the 1960s it became a haven for hippies and still maintains a bit of counterculture attitude. Continue via Hwy. 72 through the small community of Ward where residents embrace their wilderness surroundings and manage to resist growth and commercialization.

Follow Hwy. 7 to its end at US 36, just west of Lake Estes, and into the picturesque alpine town of Estes Park. Before adventurer Joel Estes "discovered" the area during a hunting trip in 1859, Ute, Shoshone and Comanche Native Americans occupied the land for thousands of years. Later, mid-19th-century explorers and fur trappers set their sights on the area in hopes of fulfilling personal fortune. The valley population rose and many came to mine a growing tourist trade. Freelan Oscar (F.O.) Stanley, of the famed Stanley Steamer automobile, arrived in 1903 and heeded the opportunity to cater to the bustling tourism industry by building an elegant resort hotel. Upon opening, the luxury travel stop further boosted tourism in the area. The Stanley Hotel stands today, admired for its history and endurance. To capture more of this history, visit the Estes Park Area Historical Museum, located on Hwy. 36 and 4th Street. The museum offers a AAA discount; hours vary, call 970-586-6256 for more information. You may also visit the Stanley Museum, located at the Stanley Hotel, which is just north of downtown and prominently visible from Hwy. 34. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; phone 970-577-1903.

Nestled at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park provides an ideal setting for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, biking, boating and golfing. For the shopper, charming gift shops and art galleries line the main street.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the world-renowned Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park. Attracting some 60,000 people annually, this international event features Irish and Highland games and dances, jousting, seminars, folk concerts, the U.S. International Pipe Band Championships and more. The festival is held September 6-9. For more information call toll-free 800-903-7837 or visit their Web site: www.scotfest.com.

Before heading to Rocky Mountain National Park, consider attending one of the Rocky Mountain Field Seminars at the Nature Association. The multiday and daylong seminars are offered throughout the month of September, with a few available in early October. Fees range from $55 to $140, depending on the length of the class. A few course topics covered include fly-fishing, animal tracking and native plant revegetation. More information may be found on the Rocky Mountain Nature Association's Web site: www.rmna.org, or phone toll-free 800-748-7002.

Just west of Estes Park is the stunning alpine scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1915 Congress declared 358 square miles of land a national park and today it is one of the country's most popular destinations, attracting more than three million visitors annually from around the globe. To enter from Estes, head west on US 34 to the Fall River entrance. Admission is $15 per vehicle. Just east of the entrance is the Fall River Visitor Center where you will find trail maps, booklets and detailed information on the park.

Within the park, US 34 becomes Trail Ridge Road, a 46-mile drive that is one of the most breathtaking and unique drives in the world. It is also the highest continuously paved road in the United States. While the park is open year-round, Trail Ridge Road is open only from Memorial Day through mid-October. Due to the high volume of traffic during the summer weekends, take the drive on a weekday if possible. Allow three to four hours for the trip to enjoy the stops and overlooks along the way.

Winding through awe-inspiring scenery, the road crosses the Continental Divide and climbs above timberline to reach a high point of approximately 12,183 feet. There are more than 100 named peaks, many towering higher than 12,000 feet. Hiking trails weave throughout the park, and there is plenty more to do and see, including fishing, camping and horseback riding. Usually within view are elk, deer and bighorn sheep grazing in the lush meadows or along the hillsides. Fall marks the beginning of the annual elk rut (or mating season). Bull elk make quite a spectacle as they engage in bugling (high-pitched whistles and grunts), clashing with other bulls, antler polishing and wallowing in mud-all in an attempt to win the affections of cow elk. Because of the popularity of elk watching, rules exist to ensure that the animals are not disturbed at this critical time. Check at a visitor center for more information about where and how to watch elk. If your timing is right, try not to miss this entertaining and naturally wondrous ritual.

A variety of birds and other wildlife can be seen and enjoyed as you meander along the highway, which eventually brings you past Arapaho National Recreation Area and the villages of Grand Lake and Granby. Located in the hub of Colorado's Middle Park, the beautiful area is surrounded by three national forests, two state parks and four lakes.

For a little rest and relaxation, visit the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa just west of Granby. With everything from facials and massages to, of course, a soak in the hot, natural spring waters, this family-owned and recently remodeled facility is a welcome break. Visit their Web site for more information: www.hotsulphursprings.com, or call toll-free 800-510-6235.

From Granby you may proceed south to Winter Park and over Berthoud Pass to I-70-or turn around for a different perspective and return on Trail Ridge Road back through Estes Park. Please note: Berthoud Pass is undergoing construction until 2002. Expect delays on weekdays. If you choose to stay a night or two in Estes Park, check your Colorado/Utah TourBook for AAA-rated lodgings and restaurants. For more information on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, call 970-586-1333.

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