 |
|
|
|
|
|
Summary: |
Day
Rides: Rocky
Mountain Park Ride |
|
|
|
Rating:
 |
 |
|
Route:
Ride to Rocky Mountain National Park,
Granby, Winter Park and back. |
| Features: Interstate, mountain
roads, National park & small city roads. |
|
Distance:
197 miles. |
|
Ride Time:
Approximately 6 hours |
|
Season:
June through September |
| Maximum Grade: 11% |
| Change in Elevation: 6,500 feet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overview: |
|
Motorcycle ride which takes you through Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park. It
begins in Golden, follows the Peak to Peak Highway to Estes Park and
then follows US 34 through Rocky Mountain Park and down into Granby.
From there, it joins US 40 over Berthoud Pass and down into Empire. |
|
|
|
|
| Directions: |
 |
|
Meet in Golden, Colorado, and take
Highway 6, West, toward
Blackhawk/Central City. Highway 6
will become Highway 119. Continue
north through Black Hawk and Nederland.
North of Rollinsville, Highway 119 will
merge with Highway 72. Continue
north on 72 and into Estes Park,
Colorado. In Estes Park,
turn west onto Highway 36. Follow
the signs into Rocky Mountain National
Park.
Note: There is a
$10
fee, per bike, for entering the park.
Have cash ready at the Ranger station.
Since a line of cars usually forms at
the entrance to the park, you don't have
much time to fiddle with gloves, jackets
or wallets, so I had my cash held to my
tank with a magnet so it was easy to
give to the ranger.
Continue along highway 36 (called Trail
Ridge Road in the park) and pass through
the park. At Granby, turn south on
Highway 40. Stay south on Highway 40 to
I-70. Merge onto I-70 east and continue
back into Denver. |
|
|
|
|
| Maps: |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elevation Profile:
|
 |
|
|
This ride starts at 5,700 feet in elevation in Golden, Colorado, and
peaks at just under 12,500' in elevation within Rocky Mountain Park.
The maximum change in slope is 21% climb and 23% descent. Note
that this ride has an overall elevation change of 6,500 feet. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photos: |
|
|
|
Photo taken on the Peak to Peak Highway, just south of Estes Park: |
 |
|
|
|
Photos taken inside Rocky Mountain National Park: |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
A temporary graveled portion of the ride: |
 |
|
|
|
Much needed dinner at Subway in Granby: |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Our Review: |
 |
|
This is a fun and beautiful ride but also a long day in the saddle.
Highways 119, 72 and 7 leading into Estes Park are scenic, curvy and
well traveled by motorcycles. Estes Park is a cute little tourist
town and a good place for lunch and gas before heading into Rocky
Mountain Park. To enter the park, expect a $10 entrance fee, per
motorcycle. Once inside the park, shift from sport riding to
touring and you'll have a blast. Much of the ride (11 miles, to be
exact) is above tree line and the views are spectacular (and literally
breathtaking). The descent from the summit was roto-milled when we
rode the ride and the 5 mile stretch prior to Poudre Lake was gravel.
After the lake, we found numbered switch backs and then pushed out into
the valley leading into Granby. Grand Lake is a large reservoir
and was covered in sail boats. Granby and Winter Park offer a good
stop for gas and food. Once through Winter Park, you'll head up
Berthoud Pass which is a great deal of fun.
This ride is well worth the day-long commitment. Pack a camera,
snacks and plenty of water and stop for fuel in Estes Park and Winter
Park and you'll have a great time! |
|
|
|
|
|
Your Ratings: |
|
Visit this
ride's forum to rate the ride, upload your photos and share your
experience. |
|
|
|
|
|
Points of Interest: |
|
|
|
|
