Rocky Mountain National Park “Over The Top” Premier Full-Day Tour with RMNPhotographer
Travel the Full Length of Trail Ridge Road
With RMNPhotographer Tours, experience every mile of the highest highway in the United States on Trail Ridge Road. From Estes Park (7,522 ft) soar to 12,183 ft. and on to RMNP’s west side and the quaint town of Grand Lake (8,439 ft). On your full-day RMNPhotographer “Over the Top” Tour, enjoy the best way to see the continental divide in Colorado. View seventy-seven peaks above 12,000 ft. while looking down on our pristine natural world from above.
Many of our guests have two reactions to Trail Ridge Road. 1) They appreciate that our experienced guides are driving for them, and 2) Riding instead of driving gives them the joy of the journey, viewing the world from above. The comment, “I’m glad you’re driving,” is common as guests sit back taking in the eleven miles above treeline at 11,500 feet and higher to the Alpine Visitor Center.
Our guests breath deeply at the majestic views from Forest Canyon Overlook. There marmots often play among the rocks. At the Rock Cut pullout, they laugh at pika scurrying to collect wildflowers for their winter stash. As the pika moves quickly around, the guests are able to view the distant mountain lakes along the continental divide. Stopping at the Lava Cliffs, guests are struck by the lava wall deposited hundreds of thousands of years ago during a volcanic eruption.
While we often see bighorn sheep, gentle deer, dynamic elk, and massive moose, one young girl told me the most exciting part of the trip was stopping at Rainbow Curse. Besides the majestic view, there the pika, chipmunks, and golden mantled ground squirrels scurry about. Running among the rocks and pine trees, they venture up onto the rock ledge sitting up in front of the tourists, their tiny paws reaching out for attention.
An amazing experience, the
RMNPhotographer Over the Top Tour includes:
- Touring through RMNP on Trail Ridge Road, the highest highway in the United States (12,183 ft.), traveling from Estes Park to Grand Lake.
- With your cell phone and camera, capturing lush green valleys, alpine lakes, rolling streams, waterfalls, and the Continental Divide.
- Seeking bighorn sheep, gentle deer, dynamic elk, and massive moose allowing you to capture magnificent photos.
- Traveling through historic Kawuneeche Valley to lunch (on your own) in the quaint village of Grand Lake before returning to Estes Park.
Moose at the Little Buckaroo Ranch
Going down from the continental divide to the west side of RMNP, the tour travels twelve miles through the lush, green meadows of Kawaneeche Valley (Valley of the Coyote). One afternoon on a short, easy hike with guests around the 110 year old Little Buckaroo Ranch, we stopped to view the historic Betty Dick Barn built in 1914. Suddenly, four moose, a bull, cow, and two yearlings came running across the meadow. We were lucky enough to capture action shots of the moose passing the famed barn which is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Just outside of RMNP, we arrive at the quaint mountain village of Grand Lake situated on the serene shores of the largest natural lake in Colorado. Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, guests enjoy a stroll along the historic, western-style boardwalk. We stop to enjoy a meal at one of several restaurants, some overlooking mountain river rapids or the beautiful expanse of Grand Lake. We end our visit meandering through locally owned shops and galleries searching for the perfect souvenir or stopping for an ice cream cone on a warm summer day.
These are the experiences we have on our
RMNPhotographer Tours. As the premier tour company in Rocky Mountain National Park, we travel in the comfort of your vehicle and stop where you want to stop. Kawaneeche Valley offers a unique opportunity for wildlife viewing in the meadows between the continental divide and Never Summer Mountains. And all the while, we share the stories, history, and wildlife of RMNP.
RMNPhotographer Tours are your tours, and we take you where you want to go, capturing the photos you want to take with your cell phones or cameras. All led by a knowledgeable, personable, and informative guide.
