Turning right takes you west to Grand Lake. To return back to Estes Park turn left and head east on Trail Ridge. Here Old Fall River meets up with the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. Fall River Cirque “scoop” from Old Fall River Road in Autumn Photo: Gloria Wadzinski Soon the road passes Fall River Cirque – the top of the valley, which looks as if a scoop was taken out, and then crests tree line into open tundra. Past Willow Park, the forest begins to shrink as the high-elevation climate becomes more treacherous. From the turnout the view looking back down Fall River Valley is spectacular.Īfter snapping a few pictures continue ascending to Willow Park, a popular summertime viewing area for Elk and Mule Deer. Views soon open up and if time permits make sure to take a moment and stop at Down Valley View. Chasm Falls off of Old Fall River Road Photo: Gloria WadzinskiĪfter the falls, the road continues climbing passing into a subalpine ecosystem filled with Englemann Spruce and fir. NPSĪs you begin climbing, the road passes through ponderosa pine en route to Chasm Falls – a beautiful waterfall leaping 25-feet from a tight narrow rock slot. Turn right at West Horseshoe Park onto Old Fall River Road and head up to Endovalley, a small turnout with bathrooms and picnic areas. To drive Old Fall River Road, enter the park at Fall River Entrance Station and head west along CO-34. You do not need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Yet the road is safe and there are many pull-offs. It’s a good thing because there are no guard rails and the road is narrow and curved. The posted speed limit on Old Fall River Road is 15 miles per hour. It leads cars along the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face past waterfalls, pine forests, and Fall River Pass (11,796 feet above sea level). The 9.4-mile gravel, one-way uphill road is dotted with switchbacks. ( Photo: Flickr/David Fulmer) A Gravel, One-Way Uphill Road Driving Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Unlike the newer Trail Ridge Road, which is well known for being the highest continuous paved road in the nation, the Old Fall River Road is much more a motor nature trail. Old Fall River Road was the first auto route that led to the high country in Rocky Mountain National Park. The road usually opens early to mid-July and closes in early October. Open to foot/bike traffic only.Old Fall River Road is a 9.4-mile gravel, one-way road leads cars along the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face past waterfalls, pine forests and Fall River Pass.
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