Colorado Rte 34 (Trail Ridge Road)

[Martin R]

We are in Estes Park, Co and planning our next move.We would welcome any shared experience of towing through the Rocky Mountain National Park via Colorado 34 (Trail Ridge)to Grand Lake. We have a 30ft International pulled by an F350 Diesel.

[streamquest]

I've done that ride on my motorcycle, and it is magnificent. I've also got a 2011 F350 diesel, and that truck can pull anything anywhere. Enjoy the trip!

[D Greene]

It is a great road. My suggestion is do it on a weekday very early in the morning to avoid some traffic. I have only done it on motorcycles but I think your rig will be fine.

[wulfraat]

It's only 5-6% avg grade with that truck you'll be fine.

[five4freedom]

As an area native and RMNP frequenter, I don't think you'll have any problem. I see many, many touring buses, large motorhomes and fifth-wheels up there.

There can be some wind, especially near the top but nothing too terrible.

It can be a white-knuckle ride if you're not used to mountain driving, simply because there are big views with large cliffs and a few tight-ish turns.

Definitely worth while, though. And Grand Lake is wonderful.

[dayner]

Have done it with 28 FC numerous times with F250 crewcab 6.0 & 6.7...no issues at all

[Martin R]

Thanks all. With your responses and a little more research we are completely comfortable with the route.

[TRizzuti]

I live in Estes Park and have made the trip over the top many times. I towed our 22 footer over in May with an F150 with no problems, and that was when there was 10' of snow along both sides of the road. Enjoy your trip. Holler if you have any issues.

[tot2learn]

We did the route last Thursday Eastbound, around 2pm and the F-150 pulled beautifully up the hills. We did have a 20m delay because they are repaving the road. One lane of traffic was allowed at a time for about a mile. It wasn't a big deal on a weekday. However I had to get some tar off the rock guards when we got home.

[cdfriend]

We drove it westerly in June and I found it to be pretty terrifying with those hair pin switchbacks and shoulder less thousand foot drop offs unemcumbbered by guard rails. Yikes! CDF

[dannydimitt]

a cake walk in the park

[gmw photos]

Been over it many times on motorcycles, sedans, sportscars, pickup trucks with and without trailers. Truly one of the prettiest drives in the country. Enjoy the trip. Be sure to take the time to stop along the way, get out and stroll, take pictures. Fabulous.
Early morning or early evening increases your chances of spotting some wildlife as they move about for feeding.

[sherrylynne]

Ummmmm...I am not a wimp driver..and I probably have 60,000 towing miles under my belt, BUT....
I think I might take a different route with the trailer. I drove trail ridge road in June of this year in just the truck, no trailer...I thought about towing the trailer (23" International) and my two sons (ages 25 and 29) said I was crazy. I listened to their advice.

[Martin R]

Appreciate everyone's thoughts. I had no concerns about the ability of my truck but having landed in Estes Park without researching our next move we had a sudden thought that, like the Going to the Sun road there may be restrictions on length on the Trail Ridgewhich, if they do exist, they do not apply to our 30 ft trailer. We drove the Trail Ridge yesterday and the overnight light dusting of snow at the top had more or less disappeared and the road dry except for a couple of shady spots by 10.00am. It is a beautiful drive and compared to other mountain roads we have driven here and in Europe, it is well graded, relatively wide with turns that never become challengingly tight. I recall only one bend where I felt it necessary to edge over the centerline very briefly. The unprotected sections which vertigo inducing drop offs are wide enough to leave a comfortable clearance. Would not hesitate to do it again in good weather.