Rocky Mountain National Park is in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado. It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments from wooded forests to mountain tundra and easy access to back-country trails and campsites. The park is located northwest of Boulder, Colorado, in the Rockies, and includes the Continental Divide and the headwaters of the Colorado River.

Opened in 1920, Old Fall River Road earned the distinction of being the first auto route in Rocky Mountain National Park offering access to the park's high country. The road is primarily gravel, one-way uphill and punctuated by switchbacks, so it is a slower-paced 9-mile-long road. The old road quietly goes from Horseshoe Park (a short distance west of the Fall River Entrance) through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796 feet above sea level. Not recommended for big RVs.

The posted speed limit is 15 miles per hour, a clear indication that a journey up Old Fall River Road is not for the impatient. There are NO GUARD RAILS along this road. The road itself is safe, but narrow and curved. In places, the trees of the montane and subalpine forests were so close that Karen Duquette was able to reach out the TRUCK window to touch them. (They were not in their RV)

Below: Notice the edge of the road - a sharp drop-off, no railings

GRADE: The road climbs to Fall River Pass on steep grades sometimes reaching 16%.

TURN RADIUS: The two RV Gypsies had to negotiate 16 switch-backs with radii as tight as 20 feet. Lee had to backup on one turn, because their toad is a long pick-up truck.

ROAD WIDTH: The road width rarely exceeds 14-feet, too narrow for cars to pass safely. That is why it is a one-way road. Passing turnouts are provided, but these were few and far between.

ELEVATION GAIN: The roadway was largely built out from the hillside. In the steepest places, multiple switch-backs were stacked one above the other.|

PULLOUTS: Few pullouts are provided to allow motorist to stop; some are located on switch-backs, making the curves even more difficult.

Below: Looking over the cliff edge at the valley below

A bit of fog

Below: The Alpine Visitor Center was closed on this date. The elevation was 11,796 feet. There was a light snow falling, and sometimes hail. The temperature was 35 degrees.

Below: Looking out over the ledge at the Alpine Visitor Center

Below: Then it was time for the two RV Gypsies to head back down the mountain, but they did not have to take the dirt road down because it was a one-way road. The road down the mountain was a paved road, but still curvy with no railings, and much easier to drive on.

Below: The sun was behind all the clouds and the scenery was beautiful.

Below: The Gore Range

Below: Lee Duquette said he would not get out of the truck again because it was too cold, but when Karen Duquette got out of the truck, he did too.

Below: Permanent ice patches on the mountains

Below: More beautiful scenery. Looking out the passenger SIDE window, Karen Duquette saw that the road curves and curves and it could be seen into the far distance.

Now it is time for the two RV Gypsies to return to their RV at the campground, but they will be back in Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow for an entirely different experience with new scenery.

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