The morning after our Bear Lake hike promised to be sunny, albeit with some scattered clouds.
Despite the rain chances, we decided to tour the Trail Ridge Road, which allows us to climb over 4000’ as we journey to the sky on the longest and highest continuous paved highway in the world.
Providing a unique opportunity to drive to a North Pole experience in a few minutes, numerous pull-outs abound allowing visitors to leave their cars to walk and view sites unique from the world below.
Beginning our journey in Estes Park (elevation 7522’) we drive up in elevation to an amazing climb to over 12,000’.
Defined by elevation level, each of the following zones have unique flora and fauna for the specific temperature ranges of that area.
Montane Zone v Subalpine Zone
Specifically the lines of demarcation are set by elevation levels, and subalpine is definitely higher up and colder than the montane zone below.
Generally below 9000’ elevation, the Montane Zone, is warmer than higher elevations and characterized by meandering rivers, open meadows, and hilly slopes.
Set between the elevation of 9000’ and 11,5000’ elevation, the Subalpine Zone includes broad meadows within deep, lush forests with flora and fauna unique to these biomes.
(In previous posts I’ve explained because I best understood Montane as simply forest, but in checking the research for this post, I’m learning there is also the Subalpine Zone. Oops! For the novice like me, the differences between Montane and Subalpine Zones require a guidebook if is of interest because of much overlap.)
Krummholz
The elevation between 11,000 and 12,000’ is called krummholz, which is German for crooked wood. It is in the Krummholz area that trees look crooked and gnarly as they weather brutal weather from the Alpine Zone.
Alpine Zone
Eventually we broke the tree line…which means we entered what we familiarly know as the tundra.
Alpine Zone is another name for tundra, which in Russian means no trees. The elevation marking this spot is above 11,000’. If you see a “bald” mountain, it’s likely because it’s over 11,000’ high, where no trees can grow.
It’s cold and windy, so coats are a necessity. Even in the middle of summer, every gain of 1000’ of elevation results in a 3 degree drop in temperature.
Because of their height, alpine peaks create their own weather systems. Snowstorms can occur in the middle of summer. Dangerous thunderstorms could brew at any moment.
As we observed gorgeous scenery at Forest Canyon Overlook, dark clouds started forming and it got even colder.
Preferring to enjoy the rest of the drive on a sunnier day, we drove down to the visitor center to explore the museum.
Then the next day was so perfectly gorgeous we used that as our 7-mile hiking day into the sky.
Finally it was our last day in the area and the weather was perfect! Not a storm cloud in sight all day. We returned directly to the tundra to pick up where we left off, which only took 10-15 minutes because we bypassed the previous overlooks we had already explored.
Pater Noster Lakes
Back to Terra Tomah, at the edge of Forest Canyon, and the Pater Noster Lakes.
Along the sides and foot of the mountain are several glacial lakes and waterfalls connected by streams and waterfalls.
This is common in the Alps where they are given the Latin name, Pater Noster Lakes, meaning Our Father, because they resemble the beads on a rosary.
Looking through binoculars for close up views, oohing and aahing over each discovered waterfall, stream, and glacial lake, we finally tore ourselves away to the 1-mile hike behind us.
Alpine Tundra
That might sound like easy down here at sea level, but when we were at 12,000’ where it’s colder, windier, and we have less oxygen, it’s more exhausting. Altitude sickness can easily set in if we don’t pace ourselves.
We walked on a path to these fascinating Mushroom Rocks, of gneiss (top) and silver plume granite (bottom) that erode at different rates.
We are to stay on the provided trail because walking on the tundra can harm the fragile plants of the alpine ecosystem.
Because the soil is thin and fragile, alpine plants barely grow more than a few inches, hugging the ground to stay warm.
The plants that are red and blue use their colors to capture ultraviolet radiation to help them keep warm, sort of like a natural anti-freeze.
At the top of Trail Ridge Road is the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the park system, behind which can be seen this massive glacial cirque that was formed by the Fall River Glacier.
On the other side of the parking lot is a short hike to Huffer Hill, at 12,005’ elevation. Every few steps up begs you to stop and look around at the view while your breath catches up with you.
All these rocks on the tundra were thrust up by the constant freeze/thaw cycle at this elevation.
The views are stunning from the top of the world.
Flower Garden in the Sky
Winter temperatures rarely exceed 20 degrees F, while summer temperatures rarely exceed 65 degrees F. Summer is the only time to see this alpine flower garden next to the visitor center on a special trail that protects the rest of the tundra.
Continental Divide
Although it was past noon, the sky was still beautifully clear without a hint of rain! One of the rangers said it was one of the best days of the summer, little haze, and lots of blue sky!
Quickly we descended to the other side of Mummy Range and Fall River which took us to the Never Summer Mountains and then over the Continental Divide.
At a mere 10,758’ elevation, we were back in the Montane/Subalpine Zone.
We drove all the way to the other end of Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake, turned around, then headed back the way we came, since that was the quickest way back to Estes Park.
There are only 2 entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park and Grand Lake, with the Continental Divide in between.
Headed Back
Once at the top, we saw that the elk herd had made its way closer to the road. For all our numerous elk photos, getting a good pic of an elk with velvet antlers in a great setting on our last day in the area was noteworthy.
For more great photos of this amazing day on Trail Ridge Road, check my Flickr set.
