The posted speed limit is 15 mph which in itself tells you something. Be prepared however in the summer tourist rush to drive the whole trip closer to 5 mph. I recently drove the road in late August after the full summer season was over at about 10mph.

Following the same trail as the Native Americans used to get over the 11,796 foot mountain pass the first major stop or pullout is Chasm Falls. There is parking here for about 15 to 18 cars. The trailk follows the river down as you can view the river falling and pooling in many spots. This trail can be steep to those who have physical problems or who are bothered by altitude. Be careful, pay attention.

Along the way you are not more than a few feet from fall river as you wind your way across sheer mountain faces and in to beautiful grass filled meadows. There are many places to stop along the way to let the family explore.

Along the road you are liable to see various forms of wildlife that live in the park. There will be many marmots, a few deer and near the top there could be a great many elk visible especially in the summer. The elk migrate every summer starting in about June to spend the summer in the tundra above 10,000 feet. Not every elk migrates but the vast majority do.  I August especially at twilight keep you eyes open for the large lone male bulls which are preparing for the rut season by staying by themselves. During this time they hone their antlers getting ready for the big show in September and October.

Also keep your eyes open for the coyotes which follow the elk into the high country. They are not as visible at the top as they are down in the lower valleys but I have seen them near the top of Fall River Road in Willow Valley and at the very top just below the visitors center at over 10,000 feet. They are highly adaptable and seemingly can live anywhere from the city streets of Fort Collins to the high mountain tundra.

The head waters of Fall River are in the Fall River Cirque a large bowl just below the visitors center. On a recent trip there was still snow in fairly good quanity still clinging to north facing slopes. The cirque used to be the birth place of the large glaciers which formed the moraines in the parks far below. History says this whole Fall River basin was once a huge 11 mile glacier.

When you reach the top you can visit the visitors center which has a nice display building with a great many exhibits. There is a building which houses a nice gift shop and restaurant as well. This building has all glass on one side looking down into the fall River Cirque and all the way down to Willow Park.

Across the road you will see the continuation of The Ute Trail which winds its way all the way to Grand Lake Village and the Grand Lake which the Utes called Spirit Lake. If you turn left out of the parking lot the road leads down to Grand lake and if you turn right The Trail Ridge Road leads back to Estes Park and the finish to the best circle drive in Colorado.

Written by Dan Keating