Early Access: Exploring Trail Ridge Road Before the Crowds

Join me on a photography outing up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, experiencing it before the road opens to traffic. Follow along as I hike up into the world above the trees with twenty foot snow drifts and breathtaking scenery. We'll witness a stunning sunset and capture magical moments through photography. Get ready for an adventure on Trail Ridge Road!
LEARN ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK:
🌲Learn everything you want to know about Rocky Mountain National Park at my website: www.RockyMount...
🥾Get a copy of my highly acclaimed hiking guide: "Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park: The Essential Guide". www.rockytrail...
🏔 Prepare for high elevation: • 5 keys for staying hea...
ABOUT ME:
📸 My photos of Rocky Mountain National Park can be found at: www.ImagesofRM...
📖 All of my books, calendars and notecards can be found at: www.RockyTrail...
🌐 My personal website is: www.ErikStensl...
🎨 My gallery in Estes Park is located at: 203 Park Lane. For times and details visit: www.imagesofrm...
📺 I have just launched a second KZbin channel. You can find it at: / @divebeneaththesurface
NOTES:
🎥 All filming in Rocky Mountain National Park was done with a commercial filming license obtained through the National Park Service.

[@hisheets]

I enjoyed the video - especially sharing how you plan and work. Forest Canyon Overlook is one of my favorite places on Earth! I'll never forget my first visit. Thank you so much for sharing this time with us.

[@ErikStensland]

Thank you! It really is a special place. There's something about being in that open space high above it all. :)

[@rjfranz217]

I did that same Trail Ridge Rd hike back in October when the road closed. Not much snow then but still beautiful views. Your photos are wonderful. You capture the right moment. I am going to be in Estes Park in a week and will stop in and say hi.

[@ErikStensland]

The views up there really are spectacular. Please stop in to the gallery when you come through town.

[@user-zi6hz1pw1h]

Loved the photo and your hike brought back great memories. 3 years ago we did it but it was morning and we only made it to the Ute trailhead, due to the winds. It was still so special to take in those views without being in a car! Thanks for sharing!

[@ErikStensland]

Glad you had the chance to do this. It is a lot of fun, but so often it is very windy up there. I was up yesterday again and it was very cold and windy. :)

[@543dp3555]

I've been visiting for years and had no idea this was an option! I would love to do this. Wish I would have known this years ago. Thanks for making this video Eric. Awesome as usual. Take us with you more often.

[@ErikStensland]

So glad you learned something new! Hopefully one day you can try it.

[@jeffmclinn3168]

Great job. Looking forward to seeing the rainbow and sunset prints at your studio on our next visit.

[@ErikStensland]

I'm not sure that those images will be on the walls in the near future, but I just added a number of new ones this past week. Thanks for watching!

[@ksfurlover2]

Beautiful ! Thank you or sharing !

[@ErikStensland]

My pleasure!

[@BillyHatfield-wu3pm]

Loved the hike and your beautiful sunset.

[@ErikStensland]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-pk7tj4vz7j]

Your detailed description helped us to visit Rmnp this August 😀 we came to know many more spectacular spots ( ex: Rock Cut) from your videos. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@ErikStensland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathyviner9793]

That was much fun! A favorite spectacular place :))

[@ErikStensland]

Kathy, so glad you enjoyed this!

[@bryceacd]

Great video….wonderful image from the overlook area.

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Hillary!!!

[@jupitercrash777]

My best friend and I drove across this at night back in September. You also look like a man I spoke to down the road from Timber Creek campground on September 7th, 2023.

[@ErikStensland]

It's an incredible drive. You'll have to do it again during the day time as the views are spectacular. I’m not sure if I’m the guy you met, but I do spend time over there.

[@sugarbushequinemarketing]

Really liked this video! It's unlikely that I'll ever do this hike, but I enjoyed the "making of the photo" comments.

[@ErikStensland]

I'm so happy that you enjoyed the video!

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Amazing video. Thanks for sharing. 👍10

[@ErikStensland]

Thank you so much!

[@biscottiluigi711]

Thank-you so much,I would love to do that!!

[@ErikStensland]

You should try it some time. :)

[@biscottiluigi711]

@@ErikStensland I would like to,but I don't have a car.

[@mathiasisassi]

Great video with gorgeous views! Beautiful captures as always, Erik. Thanks for taking us along.

[@ErikStensland]

My pleasure Mathias!

[@robiness6019]

What an awesome hike and amazing photograph! Thanks for taking us along!

[@ErikStensland]

Thanks Robin! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewfuller7942]

Such a gorgeous road in a special place. Beautiful video, thanks!!

[@ErikStensland]

Andrew, glad you got to experience some of walking TRR, but sorry you didn't get to walk the higher portion of the road.

[@BillyHatfield-wu3pm]

Loved the beautiful hike and your beautiful sunset to close it all out.

[@ErikStensland]

Glad you enjoyed it Billy!

[@user-ef9zu9hd5y]

Very nice Erik! We've been over that road many a time. How many miles did you walk that day? We and our kids very fortunate to walk the Going to the Sun Rd in Glacier NP when the road was closed. It too was awesome to do without any traffic. We came across three big horn sheep whic h we very careful to not annoy.

[@ErikStensland]

This wasn't a very long walk. I think it was just 6 miles that evening, since the road beyond was closed. I would love to head up Going to the Sun Rd before opening. That would be incredible!

[@pibergero]

Hi Erik! Is it common for at least some parts of Trail Ridge Road to be open for hiking like in the video in late february/beggining of march?

[@ErikStensland]

You can walk on the road all winter long. The main differences in the spring are: 1. You can drive all the way to Rainbow Curve, saving you several miles of hiking. 2. The road is plowed so it is easy to walk on. In the winter it will be snow covered and heavily drifted.