The Annual Autumn Drive: Day Two

 Day two of our annual drive required a strategy: leave Steamboat Springs at "butt ugly early o'clock." The goal was to get ahead of the weekend crowds on Trail Ridge Road, and we were about to find out just how smart that decision was.

The day started in the pre-dawn darkness in Steamboat Springs.

The drive into the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park is a sobering experience now, passing through the vast burn scar of the 2020 East Troublesome Fire. 

The first hint of twilight as we hit the road.

The layers of the mountains revealing themselves at dawn.

Entering the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park,
the landscape is now defined by the 2020 burn scar.

A stark but powerful landscape, showing the scale of the fire.

The road ahead. Even in the burn scar,
the scenery is dramatic and compelling.

Gaining elevation and looking back
down at the Kawuneeche Valley.

It’s a stark landscape, but beautiful in its own resilient way. As we climbed, the scenery transformed, rising above the treeline into the breathtaking alpine tundra. The views of the Never Summer Range were spectacular under a perfect blue sky.

The incredible, sweeping view of the
Never Summer Range from Trail Ridge Road.

The morning frost still clinging to the reeds along the water's edge.

It was great to see signs of life thriving in the area's waterways.

A little synchronized swimming to start the day.

A moment of perfect, glassy reflections in the crisp morning air.

After crossing the summit, we descended the eastern side, catching the last remnants of fall color. And then we saw it: a miles-long backup of cars waiting to get into the park from the Estes Park entrance. Our early start had paid off in spades. It was a spectacular finale to our annual color pilgrimage.

Above the treeline, the world opens up
into a vast expanse of rock and sky.

A close look at one of the park's remnant glaciers,
clinging to the shadows.

Looking back toward the high peaks
along the Continental Divide.

Descending the eastern side of the park,
we found the last holdouts of the fall color.

A few beautiful pockets of aspen gold
with Longs Peak in the distance.

And the payoff!
This was the miles-long backup waiting to get in the east entrance.
Our early start was definitely the right call.

Wherever you are today, I hope an early start brings you a peaceful and beautiful journey.

Don Bergquist – 08 October 2024 – Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA