Grand Lake Day Trip
Text By The Chamber Of Commerce Estes Park © All rights reserved.

This Grand Lake destination experience via Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road (closed seasonally) has many interesting stops along the way.
 
This day trip will feature The Alluvial Fan, going up Old Fall River Road 970-586-1206 (summer only) to The Alpine Visitor's Center, picking up Trail Ridge Road to historic Holzworth's Trout Lodge 970-586-1206, Grand Lake Lodge 970-627-9495 and The Village of Grand Lake. You will return on Trail Ridge Road.
 
Always check opening and closing times for museums and other activities as well as their seasonal schedules as many are open only during the summer season.
 
This day trip begins with a visit to The Alluvial Fan. Take Hwy. 34 to The Fall River Entrance of the national park where you will pay a park entrance fee and receive a map of the area. After leaving the entrance gate proceed along Hwy 34 to Horseshoe Park.
 
Turn right at the sign for "Old Fall River Road".
 
On your right you will see a large scarred area of huge rocks. This is called The Alluvial Fan and is the result of The Lawn Lake Flood of 1982. Park your car and walk the area to experience the power and damage from massive amounts of water flowing from The Roaring River as a result of the earthen dam break at Lawn Lake.
 
Continue driving down the road to Old Fall River Road. (open only one way up after July 1 – summer only) Try to visualize the old Stanley Steamer cars traveling this road. It was completed in 1920 and presents many twists and turns, some wildlife viewing and hiking trails as you move towards The Alpine Visitor's Center at approximately 12,000 feet. You can stop at the visitors' center now or on your way back to Estes Park.
 
You will now join Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the United States. You will enjoy a spectacular scenic drive. In the early spring snow levels along the road can be impressive. As you travel down towards the Village of Grand Lake, you will go by Milner Pass which is the continental divide where mountain summits divide the flow of water either to the east or to the west.
 
As the road levels out you will see a sign designating the Colorado River Trailhead. This is where the Colorado River begins its very long westward journey through three major deserts traversing from Lake Powell, through the Grand Canyon, westward to Lake Mead and finally to Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.
 
This western slope's vast marsh area is a good place to watch for moose and other wildlife.
 
Take time to park and walk across the pretty meadow to visit the restored Holzworth's Trout Lodge and rustic dude ranch built in the 1920's. You can take a self-guided or free-guided tour of some of the original buildings; including a workshop, icehouse, and a taxidermy building .
 
As you drive further on the road watch for the sign on your left to turn off to visit Grand Lake Lodge, a beautiful large log facility built in the 1920's. The main lobby area with seating and gift shops is typical of many of the large lodge facilities of that era. It is now a national historic landmark.
 
You can have lunch here or move on to the Village of Grand Lake. This small western type town with interesting shops and restaurants is vibrant in the winter as well as the summer months.
 
After passing the Alpine Visitor's Center on your return to Estes, you might enjoy a walk on a path across the tundra. The small tundra flowers take years to grow and stay small and close to the ground for protection from strong winds and cold temperatures during the long cold winters.
 
Further on you will see Forest Canyon, which was carved by ancient glaciers, view glacial lakes and cirques and experience the majesty of the surrounding mountains.. There is also an old forest burn area started from lightening a very long time ago. At this elevation the trees and shrubs take hundreds of years to fully rejuvenate as they struggle against the elements.
 
Along the way are several pullout areas where you can look towards the Estes valley. One of the best views is at Rainbow Curve.
 
As you get closer to Estes you will come to Hidden Valley. At one time this was a ski area in the national park. All the lifts and traces of skiing have been removed. Today there is a nice picnic area here.
 
Hope you enjoyed the variety of stops on this journey and that your camera captured some lasting memories.