I know it’s a bit silly, but I feel heartbroken that I haven’t seen a hummingbird in a few days. It seems as if they’re gone as quickly as they arrive. It brings me such joy to hear the first one every season.

I thought a lot about hummingbirds while I toured a few friends around Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) last week. Trail Ridge Road got its first snowfall, the chill in the air felt like a winter tease, and clouds rolled across every mountain in the park. It was stunning.

Construction of Trail Ridge Road began in 1929, and by 1932, it received its first travelers. The road spans 48 miles inside RMNP between Estes Park and Grand Lake. At 11,500 feet above sea level, the trees stop growing.

For 11 miles, adventurers drive above treeline, witnessing some of the most majestic views of the Rocky Mountains, including the tundra’s wildlife: Yellow bellied marmots, elk, pika, and bighorn sheep.

The road’s highest point, 12,183 feet, offers visitors further opportunities to learn about the park at the visitor information center, the gift shop, and The Cafe In the Clouds. There’s also a short hike right off the parking lot. Bring an all-weather jacket, sunglasses, a hat, and a camera.

If you’re getting on Trail Ridge Road (TRR) from Estes Park, I recommend taking Old Fall River Road up and driving TRR back down. If you’re starting in Grand Lake, drive TRR to Estes and take Old Fall River Road back up.

Old Fall River Road (OFRR) is a one-way, narrow, winding dirt road that takes you to the visitor center at the top of TRR. The views from Old Fall River are like witnessing a secret everyone has heard of but has never seen before. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s magical!

Please be sure to drive slowly on Old Fall River. If there are no cars behind you, take a moment to stop and look in every direction, especially the higher you get. And please don’t run over the marmots taking over the road. They’re sassy that way. Enjoy them, and remember we’re in their home.

Both roads are seasonal and can close any time after Labor Day, depending on weather conditions in the park, which can change drastically at such high elevations. Old Fall River Road doesn’t have the pull-offs as Trail Ridge Road has, but they’re both unique.

No worries if you haven’t made it to Trail Ridge Road this season. Even after the highest points are closed, sometimes you can drive to places like Rainbow Curve into October. Again, it depends on Mother Nature.

Much like hummingbirds, Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road call the end of summer or the beginning of autumn the end of the season, leaving me excited about winter yet anxiously awaiting spring again.

To learn more about Trail Ridge Road, visit https://www.nps.gov/ romo/learn/historyculture/trail_ ridge_ road_ history.htm. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RockyNPS or you can give them a call at 970-586-1206.