Rocky Mountain National Park
Biking
Biking in Rocky Mountain National Park is for the serious tourer. Riding is on paved road; bouncing downhill over bouldered trail is strictly prohibited. But don't think the challenge is any the less for that. Trail Ridge Road is a 4 to 6 hour ride. If you can climb the 3700 feet up from Estes Park, you will find a delightful Alpine ride at 12,000 feet. And of course it's all downhill from there—3400 feet to Grand Lake!
Get started early on these three rides. You will beat the midday traffic, you'll be breathing that clean mountain air, not exhaust, and most importantly, when those afternoon thunderstorms drop their icy load, you'll be pulling in to a cozy room and a nice warm drink.
Trailbikes, mopeds, and bicycles are prohibited off established roads in Rocky Mountain National Park. A few roads are closed to vehicles in winter months, but are open to bicycles. Old Fall River, Upper Beaver Meadows, Glacier Basin Campground, and Fern Lake Roads are open to bicycling, hiking, and pets on leashes. Keep to the roads and off the trails.
For offroad adventure, don't overlook the park's neighborhoring national forests: Roosevelt, Arapaho and Medicine Bow-Routt offer hundreds of off-road trails for backcountry cycling.
Routes
Bear Lake Road
This route starts off U.S. Highway 36 and climbs 1,500 feet (457 m) in 8 miles (13 km). It ends at scenic Bear Lake, elevation 9,475 ft (2,889 m). Narrow and mostly uphill, the ride takes you through Moraine Park flanked by mountains and moraines. The road follows cascading Glacier Creek through aspen, fir, and lodgepole pine trees.
Moraine Park, Sprague Lake,and Glacier Gorge Junction provide parking, hiking, and picture-taking opportunities.
Round trip time: 2-4 hours.
Trail Ridge Road
This is a demanding intermediate-to-advanced ride. The road climbs 3,758 ft (1,145 m) in 15 miles (24km) from Estes Park and about 3,429 ft (1,045 m) in 20.2 miles (32.5 km) from Grand Lake. The reward is 10 miles (16 km) of rolling, alpine highway at about 1 2,000 ft (3,658 m) above sea level. Expect air temperatures to be 150 to 200F cooler above treeline. To avoid hypothermia, change to a dry shirt BEFORE you get above treeline and in the wind.
An early start at sunrise will assure light traffic and decrease the chances of being caught above treeline in a late morning or afternoon thunderstorm. The only protection from lightning is at Fall River Pass. You can find temporary shelter at Alpine Visitor Center and Fall River Store. In emergencies, comfort stations at Rainbow Curve and Rock Cut provide shelter
Round trip: 4-6 hours.
Horseshoe Park/Estes Park Loop
This 16-mile (27 km) loop is best done by going west on U.S. Highway 34 through the Fall River Entrance. At Deer Ridge Junction ride east on Highway 36 through the Beaver Meadows Entrance
The route exits the NationalPark and winds up in theTown of Estes Park. Theviews of the Front Range andMummy Range arespectacular. Watch for sharpturns when descending fromDeer Ridge Junction.
Round trip: 1-3 hours
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