Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most stunning scenery of any within the National Park system. With 78 towering peaks exceeding 12,000 feet in elevation and a road that crosses the Continental Divide, reaching a height of 11,796 feet, it presents the cyclist with both challenges and relaxing pastoral beauty.
The High Roads
Within Rocky Mountain National Park are 60 miles of hard surface roads, ideal for the touring cyclist. The park is highly accessible, being only a two-hour drive northwest of Denver. Entering Rocky Mountain National Park through the town of Estes Park at an elevation of 7,522 feet, the park roads range from 8,000 to 12,183 feet (2,400 to 3,700 m). This is a place to acclimate. High altitudes can cause headaches, dizziness and even death, so heed all health warnings.
Road Raging
Trail Ridge Road, which cuts across the Continental Divide from one side of the park to the other, covers 48 miles, with more than 10 miles of it above 11,000 feet. The road's grade runs from an easy 5 to 7 percent, but the air is thin. Trail Ridge is popular with cyclists, but also with motorists, so caution must be taken. The road is very narrow in places, with few hard shoulder areas for traffic to pass. Common road courtesy and patience are needed.
Gravel Travel
None of the trails within the park is open to mountain biking. All cyclists are restricted to the road system, along with other traffic. Maybe the most challenging route for the cyclist within the park is Old Fall Road. It climbs 11 miles to Old Fall Pass at 11,796 feet, sometimes reaching a grade of 16 percent. With a posted speed limit of 15 mph and other traffic, this road should be approached by cyclists who have confidence in their brake pads.
More Routes
Several days could be spent leisurely riding, or riding and hiking, in the Bear Lake Corridor. The 10 miles of Bear Lake Road weave through a landscape dotted with mountain lakes and streams. Loop roads around Moraine Park and Glacier Basin are additional ventures into nature's playground, with easy, short nature trails that travel through scented ponderosa pine or the quaking leaves of aspens. And don't miss Sprague Lake on your way to or from Bear Lake.
Worth Knowing
For cyclists, entrance to the park is $10 as of 2010 for a one-week pass. Bicyclists in groups are required to ride single file. Ride early and avoid the traffic. This is even more important on Trail Ridge Road, where thunderstorms appear in the afternoon with potentially deadly lighting. Wear bright, layered clothing because temperatures can swing from hot to cold. Always carry rain gear, food, water and your bike's tool kit. Remember your helmet and watch out for elk.
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