Thursday, September 24 2026
I backtracked a few miles today to visit Rocky Mountains National Park. I have visited several times before but never in the fall and, although I knew that the variety of fall colors would be nowhere near the range seen in New England, I wanted to check it out as well as see the amazing views.
Just north of Granby is the first of the large reservoirs created by dams along the Colorado river’s path. The picture below shows the very low level of water in Lake Granby.
The main road through the National Park is Trail Ridge Road which crosses between the east and west entrances and climbs to 11,800 feet (3,600 m). I had been lucky enough to snag one of the timed entry tickets that allowed me to enter the park at any time between 9 and 11 AM today. They went on sale yesterday evening at 7 PM and were sold out by 7:04. I was, therefore, able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Granby, before heading to drive Trail Ridge Road from west to east and then back again, returning to Granby for the night. There are many pull-outs along the way to enjoy and capture the views and this was my main focus.
Since it was still dry in the afternoon I decided to walk part of the park’s Colorado trail. The trail I was on was the same one I used to get to La Poudre Pass yesterday but today I was 6 miles (9.7 km) south and more than 1,000 feet (305 m) lower.
One unusual thing that happened today was a problem with the GoPro I use to capture road video. I noticed that the charging light was on even when it was not connected and as I was about to leave my third stop it wouldn’t turn on. As we all know, the solution is always to reset and so I went to remove the battery but the thing was not budging. After about five minutes of tugging forcefully, pushing and twisting it came out and it had expanded, bulging at the sides. I was lucky it had not damaged the camera but, without a battery, I have to reset everything every time I stop the car as the camera turns off. Just an annoyance in an otherwise great day.
Dry weather is good.. would be very different in drizzle!
I’ve heard that recently the cost of National Park daily and annual passes have risen significantly.. and you mention you had to buy a pass too? Is this the case?
I have a Senior Pass that I bought about 10 years ago for $10 which is valid for life and covers admission to all National Parks, monuments etc. so I don’t really keep tabs on the cost of admission. I know they have gone up significantly since covid when everybody here seemed to discover the National Parks. Attendance is now so great at several parks that they require you to get an additional “timed entry” to control the flow of visitors. They are $2 each and you have to buy in advance and enter the park within the window of your timed entry. Rocky Mountains is one of the parks using them. Arches did but dropped them this year and Grand Canyon never introduced them. These are the only “biggies” I plan to visit on this trip.
That purchase 10 years ago was a brilliant move! Thanks for info about passes.
Safe and happy travels, dear Steve.
I was delighted when I saw yesterday that you had begun another road trip to share with your circle of armchair travelers. I’m grateful to be one of them. I follow each day with close interest. This trip looks to be among the best.
Hi David, thanks for your interest and support. It really makes me feel like I have company on the trip.