Rocky Mountain National Park Road Map
Rocky Mountain National Park

As you see by the green diagram, this is a good-sized park with a maze of roads. To simplify the galleries, I have arbitrarily separated the high peaks and overlooks from the rich parklands below. There are several 12,000 to 14,000-foot high peaks, which make for dramatic views.

Trail Ridge Road to the high peaks

Trail Ridge Road is the main, winding access from the moraine parks up to the 12,000-14,000-foot peaks which form the backbone of the park. There are a set of overlooks strategically located on the way up with views down on the lush valleys below and the towering peaks that fill the skyline.

Many Parks overlook, Rainbow Curve, Split Rocks, Forest Canyon and the Gore Range overlook offer parking lots so photographers can linger, but the road also has pullouts where cars can pause, take some pictures and move on.

In late September, the hills on the lower slopes are decorated with aspens changing color. Above 10,000 feet, though, the trees end and the tundra begins. The mountaintops are rounded and barren.

It snowed during my visit and the roads to the summits were then closed. That was very frustrating when the Sun came out on the final day.

Mountains From Many Parks Panorama And Then They Closed The Roads Forest Canyon Overlook Pano
Gore Point Overlook Panorama
Peaks Above Horseshoe Park Gore Range From Split Rock Gore Range Sign Snowy Peaks From Many Parks Panorama


Arriving At Gore Range Overlook


Driving The South Road To Gore


Big Forest Seen From Rock Cut

Parks And Valleys Below The Peaks

Aspen Covered Hillside With Peak Sheep Meadow In Horseshoe Park From Rainbow Elk At Rest
Moraine Park Panorama
Hillside At Sharp Turn West Horseshoe Park Panorama Aspens Below Rainbow Curve



Down From Many Parks Through Aspens


Driving Down From Many Parks


Driving Down To Aspens - Short Version


Driving Through The Aspens

Horseshoe Park—The Alluvial Fan

On July 10, 1982, a natural moraine dam above Horseshoe Park gave way, allowing 28 million gallons of water to plunge down into the park and all the way to the town of Estes Park!

The alluvial fan and the meadow that makes up the nearby park are two of the unusual features which distinguish the park. I had a few days of bad weather, but persistence allowed me to get photographs to show how rich and varied a place Rocky Mountain National Park is.

Alluvial Fan Lawn Lake Flood Sign Up Close Collapsed Dam And Alluvial Fan
Aspen Leaves Flood Sign and Waterfall Collapsed Dam In Rain With Foliage
  Collapsed Dam And Debris  


Flow From Under Umbrella


Flow Through Collapsed Dam


Rainy Day At Collapsed Dam

Alberta Falls

These Falls are accessed via a short hike, and is one of the most popular sites in the park. I happened to hit it on a rainy day and took most of the videos under an umbrella. Still, a beautiful and dramatic place!

Alberta Falls River Below Alberta Falls


Alberta Falls From 1st Point


Alberta Falls From 2nd Point


Alberta Falls-Flow Below Falls


Alberta-River With Distant Aspens


Alberta-Wet And Risky Footing

Sprague Lake

Sprague Lake lies along Bear Lake Road after the road exits from Moraine Park. This lake is very accessible, and in early morning has the sunlight on the Continental Divide in the distance. The soundtrack on the video illustrates the calm which isolation confers on the lake.

Sprague Lake Sign Sprague Lake Hallett Peak Sign
Continental Divide From Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake Panorama


Sprague Lake ~ Calm

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Modified 12.11.12