The Most Scenic & Scary Road in the U.S. | History Traveler Episode 32
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Founded in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most scenic parks in the U.S. and the views along the historic Old Fall River Road & Trail Ridge Road show it. Both of these routes, which can be a little nerve wracking at times, offer travelers the opportunity to retrace the routes once traveled by the Native Americans & later by park tourists. Once at the top, not only are the views amazing, but so is the history.
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I traveled both of these roads about twenty years ago. I have never been more terrified in my life! I thought for sure that I was going to have a heart attack! Luckliy I did not. But the scenery was magnificent and breath taking. I am glad that I survived the white knuckle ascent. These roads are a must see. I enjoy your videos so much, thank you for your time and narrations.
Reminds me of the fantastic drive on "Going to the sun road" in Glacier National Park. But at least that had hay bale sized stones to keep you from becoming gravity aware. I share you deep respect for heights.
The one time I drove Going To The Sun Highway some knit wit in a motor home was coming at me using 1-2 feet of my lane. I stopped and made them go around us.
@@martinwalker9386 Yeah, that road was built for model Ts not RVs. Beautiful drive tho.
If you enjoyed this road, you would love the Beartooth Highway in Southern Montana north of Yellowstone National Park. And the Going-To-The-Sun Highway that traverses Glacier National Park is pretty spectacular too!
I’ll have to check that out. Thanks!
Yes! Those two roads are awesome. There is another road on the East Coast that goes up to Mt. Washington Weather Observatory. Talk about sketchy! Straight up the mountain on a gravel road with a ridiculous incline and no guard rails. There is a whole lot of history there too as it has the fastest changing weather anywhere and lots of hikers lost, etc. Super neat!
I pulled a 38 ft fifth wheel trailer with an F 450 King Ranch crew cab dually ( totally legal to do so) in a pouring rain storm over Trail Ridge Road in 2012; absolutely loved the views and the wide eyed city folk watching us do that; just saying! I just loved this presentation, easy to watch and educational; thank you very much!
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When I saw the title I immediately thought 'Trail Ridge Road'. I've lived in Colorado for 50 years. A few years back I rented a van and took my god awful in-laws for a drive up that road. They were so scared it was hilarious. Best day ever. That will teach them to talk down to me lol.
The million dollar highway outside Silverton scared the shit out of me.
Hey Lavender Monday....
Get a Jeep and try Black Bear Pass. 😂
Million Dollar Hwy is a BEAUTIFUL ride. 🇨🇱😉👍
For a scary ride, try the 7.5 mi.road up Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. It’s the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. It is a two way road(barely most of the way) with no guard rails. Trust me, no one watches the scenery. You are averting looking at the long drop down if you were to go over the edge and your hoping you don’t meet another car because of the narrow width of the road. They have warnings to insure you have good brakes and a healthy transmission and also recommend no more than 900 lb. avoid t
900 lb. capacity so as not to over burden brakes and transmission.
Me too lol
Me too lol
This reminded me of the trek up on Pikes Peak. That is where Katharine Lee Bates came up with the words to “America the Beautiful”. You can still see marks left by the horse drawn carriages they used to navigate the trails. Beautiful scenery! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video, as usual. Love seeing the family with you on these last few adventures ! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you. This brings back fond memories. You captured some good views of Longs Peak, the tallest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park located at the southern end of the park.
Great video ! I’m a history buff , absolutely love seeing all of this ! That road -Holy Smokes ! ❤️
Thanks! Glad that you enjoyed it. I've got some videos in the coming weeks that I'm pretty excited about. And yes, "Holy Smokes" is right.
If you are a flat lander as my Coloradan Brother in Law calls us, you truly get freaked by these type routes when you look over the edge. It isn’t for the faint of heart for sure. Great presentation for folks who have neither the wear with all or desire to travel as you and the family do. Love these adventures.
I've taken the trail ridge road to the top and you are so right ... there are no words to describe the absolute magnificence of it! I felt as if I was at the top of the world; both awestruck by the beauty, and petrified at how small everything else was in comparison. So glad I took the ride!
East meets West - It’s definitely worth it to take the trip. I think that I enjoyed the Old Fall River Road even more just because it was the first. Both are cool routes though. Thanks for watching!
We've been on this same drive many times and taken photos, but I wanted to thank you for filming it! It's another world up there!
I used to live in Colorado and I traveled the Old Fall River Road about 1/2 dozen times in a Honda Accord. I don't think it's scary. You just have to go slow. Looking at this video, it looks like they "fixed" the road and there aren't terrible ruts to straddle. Looks rather smooth.
The very first time I went over Trail Ridge Road, I got to this one section where it is a shear drop on both sides of the road and it had just started snowing hard. That was scary. Park Service turned me around and shut the gate behind me.
This video has made me SO HOMESICK!!! Miss you RMNP!
It was a visit to RMNP that forever changed my life--It is in the western mountains that I feel closest to God and the most peace. I love the history and nature of our national parks (even loved Ken Burns documentary on them). Thanks for sharing as it has been 5 years since our last visit to the area.
I 100% agree with what you said on all counts history, western mountains, but most of all feeling closest to God and at peace in the mountains. Me too.
3 minutes in and I got anxiety lol
Hey. Let me tell you, that was a white-knuckle drive in some spots. There was a reason that my wife took over the camera for this one.
Reminds me of Lucy and Ricky driving their camper on a winding mountain road.lol. That was a funny show.
That was a funny movie.
The view is enough to take your breath away, beautiful.
Love what you & Lilly have done here. Would love to see you do more of these. I subbed so I can find my way back and view more of your work.
Thanks for the beautiful mountain view of this part of my native state.
Drove all over the mountain roads when I was a teen , 50+ years ago.
Another great video. Keep your eyes on the road and don't look down!
Thanks. Appreciate that. And yes, looking down was a bad idea 100% of the time.
As a Colorado native this video made me very homesick for the mountains since I live in Illinois now. Been on many a road as that one growing up. Never blinked an eye. Lol
Ruth Gehrtz - Ha! I didn’t blink an eye either. I was too nervous. Glad that you enjoyed it 👍🏻
The History Underground Well I did get a bit nervous when ever we would meet another vehicle coming the other way and one of us would have to back up until there was room to pass each other, and I wasn’t even a driver cause I was a kid. Haha
I've sat on the floor of the '73 truck many a time when my mom would drive the passes. Miss my Rocky mountains at times. So many fond memories from our summer vacations in the '73. Wolf Creek Pass was the best. Mom driving, dad sitting on the passenger door window with a gallon jug of fuel and a hose trying to keep the 454 going up. Truck lurching, 5 yr old brother trying to pee in the campers bathroom all while a line of trucks and cars cussing us out to get moving. Found out later the fuel filter was clogged. Fun times! Thank u for the memory of my dad who passed away 10 years ago at the young age of 59. 💕
Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking (literally!). It reminded me of the road ascending Pike’s Peak, no guard rails and long scary downward views. Awesome footage, thank you! 👍
You are giving your children some great experiences, I think that is wonderful!
grh8183 - They seem to enjoy it. Thanks! 🙂
We enjoyed this trip . We love the mountains and Fall River road is lovely. Thankyou for Sharing the history with us . Mountains are breathtaking. 🙏🌲
It really is something else. Thanks for watching!
never been up that mountain but i have been on many mountain tops. spend 6 hours walking. crawling and climbing. get to the top. have lunch and a snowball fight and head back down. love it.
One word, beautiful!
Pretty amazing place. I could have sat up there for hours. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing. Such a beautiful drive. I must admit I puckered pretty tight along there and I was not even seeing what you were looking at out your side of your window.
8:51 would love to wake up to this amazing view each day 😊🏞 we really enjoy the history & places. thank you 👍
Living in Colorado full time and with first hand experience of driving all over the country I disagree this is the most scenic and scariest roads in the country!! If anything highway 550 (The Million Dollar Highway) beats the Fall River Road by far 💯
Fall River, although scenic, is not even slightly scary.
@@TheBandit7613 my thoughts exactly! Very beautiful drive but definitely NOT the most scenic and not even close to the most scariest! Hahaha
I agree with highway 550 and you could probably add Independence pass and black bear pass to the list of roads that top this one.
Absolutely agree with Shantee! Million Dollar Highway wins hands down, even today after it has been improved 100% since we were kids! You haven't been in Colorado long, I'm guessing.
Agree
Those views were majestic! Thank you for that.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I appreciate your historical perspective on this(and other places) road that would be a glorious adventure on my motorcycle. And the lesson on how the Indians used those rocks for hunting.
Love your videos man! Keep up the awesome work!
Wow. I really appreciate that. I've got some big plans for 2020. Hope that the future content continues to inform and entertain.
Thank you for showing and sharing this. It is definitely a drive I would never take!! Were it not for your video I certainly would have never seen this place.
I was born and raised in Colorado, I spent every summer camping and fishing throughout Rocky Mountian National Park. When I went to Montana to the Going To The Sun road, that is even more spectacular than the Fall River Road!! You have to go.
Thanks for sharing!
I've made the Trail Ridge rd drive at night. At the top we were greeted with the splendor of Gods majesty. The Milky Way was beyond anything I could have imagined. Simply breathtaking. On the down side this road gave me my fear of heights.
At night..........my gosh.
Million Dollar Highway IS the scariest and most scenic that I've been through in Colorado.
I 100% agree! I’ve driven it 25-30 times over the past 5-7 years and it is my favorite drive I’ve taken in Colorado and I’ve driven from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean countless times in my life. My favorite part of the highway is definitely near the Silverton area:)
Yes, it scared me almost to death 🤣
I loved driving it. I rented a car when I was working on a pipeline in SW Wyoming just to go drive it.
Thank you for another great video and also some history to go with it.
Thanks! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Excellent video! Truly lovely.
I used to work up on top of Trail Ridge in RMNP. Old Fall River road was a regular "commute" to work. It is so beautiful. Thanks for the video.
Great video. Thank you so much.
Going down is scary too. Nice to have good brakes thank you for this video.!
I I always like your enthusiasm for American History and all things past, Always a great interesting information, thank you for not only what you do but the way you do it.
Thanks. I’m easily entertained 😅
WOW that was amazing....reminded me of a narrow stone road to Coolidge Peak in South Dakota ....
Hmmm.......I'm not familiar with that one but I'll have to check it out. I'm planning on doing some videos in South Dakota sometime this year.
We've taken the kids on trail ridge road back in 2018 and 2019. It doesn't get old. And there are always Elk up there at the top. Great vid!
Nice views. You may already know, but the tall sticks on the side of the road are there so the snow plow man can find the edge.
Yes, it's quite the view. I assumed that the sticks on the side of the road were for the plows, which by the way is a job that I would NEVER want. EVER! God bless the guys that do it though. Thanks for watching.
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They have those sticks along the road in my neighborhood, at 750 ft above sea level🤣
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Dude I Absolutely love your shows please keep up the good work, I've always been good at history and you have made it better than expected by going up close and personal. Thank you from a big fan
Glad to see this route without having to drive it! I don’t care for heights and often, when someone else is driving, spend a good portion of a drive with my eyes closed.
Great job as always, It does remind me of road to the sun, in Montana but Colorado has so many beautiful places to see.
I'm glad you have put this on your site, because you won't see me driving on that road.😎
We loved it. Great narrating and the views were beautiful.
Wow, Notorious Andersonville. Great video ! You do such a nice job on these videos. Keep it up ! Your living the dream !
Thanks!
Beautiful!! My old stomping ground. Loved taking my kids up that road. Amazing. Not sure about scary but we were up there a lot. Hope you enjoyed the view.
fantastic video
Thanks! I appreciate that. It makes it easier to cobble a video together when you have scenery like that work with :)
Back in 1979 I was a junior in high school. Our family was on vacation and I was driving. Drove that road in a Ford LTD pulling a 20 foot travel trailer. My mom wasn't happy but my dad talked me through it. We also did the million dollar highway and Mt. Evans on that trip. Dad was a great driving instructor and I've been a confident driver ever since!
this the best esp. it is truly beautiful thank you
We just got back from Colorado and went to Pikes Peak. This is the second time we've been there. It's absolutely amazing!! It's over 14,000 feet above sea level so amazing!!. About 7 years ago we went to Colorado and went to the National Park and Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak WINS! It's so beautiful up there!!
I hope you went to Mt. Evans, the only14er you can drive to the summit. And yes! A tour of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is a magnificent picture of God’s amazing creativity.
Dang. Didn't know about that one. Thanks for the heads up.
We live in CO. The beauty is to see as you cross over the Great Divide what grows under and on rocks in the tree line, and just to hear clean fresh water rolling over logs and stones. the sheep as
so gorgeous and proud looking. A sunset behind a buck elk's antlers is fabulous too. Clean too. People in CO might just pulverize you for dumping trash or disobeying signs to protect the
fauna. Never throw cig. butts out a window...the temptation is to take you for a 'drag' behind someone's bumper.
Fantastic!!!
Great video! Your statement "...a sense of the bigness and creativity of God" is spot on. Using a word that is so over used in our society, places like this are "awesome," and inspire great feelings of awe as to what God did.
A little side story I have from 1966: My friend and I drove from North Dakota to Seattle, going over Beartooth Pass (11,000 feet) between Wyoming and Montana. Like the highway is your video, it had some mighty scary places, but was so gorgeous. When we got to the top there was a small lake, and I wanted to stop and take in the surrounding scenery. The response of my friend, who had never been out of the flatlands of North Dakota was, "No, get me the h..ll down off of here!"
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My favorite drive through the park! Driven it at least 20 times!!!
Going out the top side of Yellowstone was my white knuckle trip. Thank God Daddy was driving. I was terrorized. Most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. When I could peel my eyes open. Lol. Can’t wait for this Alabama girl to go back
That looks so beautiful. I imagine being there is certainly a lot better than just watching the video... Thanks again! See you later.
Alexander Patrick - Yeah, the video doesn’t do it full justice. Definitely worthy the trip though.
Been there, done that! Very cool to see it again!
Mt. Evens Crest House was the highest at around 14,000ft, but it was destroyed many years ago. My son and I visited back the House back in '78 only a few years before it burned. Great views.
Loving your videos. Just found them a few days ago and can't get enough. If your into scary rides and some good history check out the Mount Washington auto road in New Hampshire. When you get around to covering some New England history.
Again great videos. looking forward to new ones.
Thanks. I really do appreciate that. I'm always up for some good history. Scary rides need to come in small doses :)
I seriously need to get up to the Northeast though. I've not had the opportunity to spend any time up there at all. Thanks for watching and for the kind words (and for the recommendations).
I live only 70 minutes from here. Thank you for sharing this with people who may not be as fortunate as me👍🏼
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Just found your channel, this is all so outstanding! Great videos!
Thanks so much! Glad that you are enjoying the content. Feel free to share from time to time if you find one that jumps out at you.
A view from the UK. Oh my lordy! Watching this gives one the great idea that it would be good to go and visit, then......see 12.50mins onwards. Now you know why many of us use your videos as travelogues instead of venturing out.
Ya want scenic and scary? Try the old Gold Camp Road between Colorado Springs and Victor/Cripple Creek, CO. Started as a trail. then widened for wagons, then for the D&RG RR narrow gauge and finally auto traffic. There are still RR ties in the road. One lane, two way traffic (as of the mid 70s the last time I was there and still dirt). When two cars meet, one has to back into a tiny cut off, about quarter mile apart, to let the other pass. About 10,000 feet up. Mountain on one side, nothing on the other (to the bottom) and no guard rails. Top speed about 15 mph, mostly around 10. The bottom is littered with cars that went over and no way to get them up. People yes, cars no.
Incredible 🇺🇸 Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.🇺🇸
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The History Underground ,,, if you’re ever in SLC , Plz reach out🇺🇸
Wonderful !
Beautiful Park. We were just there last week. One of our guides mentioned the Falls Road to the top of the park but we elected to take Trail Ridge Road. Led to the same area and visitors center. We also hike to the top of the tundra on the trail you are seeing here. Saw herds of elk, mountain goats, and the view are absolutely amazing. Pictures do not do justice to the long views.
Great, thanks man.
Your comment on how narrow the road is reminds me of the time I took a “Jeep trail” from Silverton to Telluride that went up and over treeline level, then down into a grove of Aspens. I was in a 1989 Bronco and while descending into Telluride I came upon another vehicle headed towards me. I got as close as I could to the mountain side of the road in order to give the other vehicle as much room as possible on the drop-off ledge side of the road. I was pretty much white-knuckling it as a mother and her 3 kids nonchalantly passed by me. But the excitement didn’t end there - I failed to keep the transmission in low gear enough on the descend and ended up vapor-locking the brake lines, which caused me to have to do a tricky no-brakes coast into the forest.
Beautiful, but I'm unnerved just watching the drive. If I were in the car, I'd be on the floorboards. I'm really enjoying your videos--thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Between a rock and a hard high place. Making my hands sweat.😆
Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Cool video. I've never been above 3000 ft so I can't imagine what that must be like but just getting up there looks like it's way worth every skipped breath. Definitely a lot of history on that road. Just to think when the first people who walked it...
Thanks for the video, Sir. Looks like your a little unaccustomed to backcountry western mountain roads. It’s all part of life out here.
Amazing!
Thanks. It's quite the amazing place.
What an amzing video Thankyou
I live in Estes park. Just returned from grand lake on the other side. Its a great experience! Beautiful and breathtaking. Cool to see the other side of the divide. Saw alot of fire damage from recent fires. Its sad but also special to see rebirth of the ecosystem. Very intense heights on trail ridge at times. But so worth it!
Did this route last summer. Great drive.
I want to look but not look. Thank you for sharing!! Wow. I really appreciate and enjoy your channel. :)
Thanks!
Million dollar highway between Ouray and Silverton in December takes my vote , my underware still havent come clean...
1. underwear 2. hasn't 3. you're correct, 550 is wonderful... but far from scary.
Yes!!
YES, yes, yes!
EXACTLY HOW I FEEL DRIVING SUCH SPOTS!!!!
Glad that I'm not alone.
I drove this years ago in a old 1977 Pontiac Catalina. The ruts were so deep I had to straddle them. I would have been hung up on the frame. Good times with my family three boys in the back seat.
Thank you JD as you stood at the top you gave praise to God. God is the Creator of all and what you are sharing with us is breath taking. Scary road to drive on.
You need to try Pearl pass, the road to Mt. Evans which is at 14000 feet in altitude as well as some of the passes that need a 4 wheel drive like Pearl pass. Lots of beautiful places out here.in Colorado for a real scary ride. But you need a four-wheel-drive for that.
Happy to See this thru Your Eyes as I could Never do that Ride!!! How Majestic that Land is!!! I’m keeping my eyes peeled looking for Sasquatch!!!! LoL
Just drove this with my family in July. It was a pleasant drive. However for a dirt road, not the scariest or most scenic. The drive over Ophir pass which cuts off Hwy 550 between Ouray and Silverton toward the Teluride area is better.
Hands down my favorite route is from Ouray via Yankeee Boy basin then Imogene pass to Telluride. Not sure what it's like today, but back in the 70s and 80s, before "Hollywood" discovered the area, when my family used to vacation there it was a rough, 4x4, breathtaking "road". I am sure it's still a Gorgeous drive.
Breathtaking views
Joyleen Poortier - That’s an understatement.
Last year after a visit I left my brother's house in Pinedale WY and drove to see a friend in Durango CO on my way home to Texas. Along the way I drove on a road like that through Silverton CO, an old mining town. It took me 2-1/2 hours to travel 60 miles and it was absolutely harrowing, I was a nervous wreck when I finally got through it.
Bassmangotdbluz 😬
Amazing , beautiful n breathtaking. Just wonder in 1920 n making the roads how many lives were lost. ThT would be so sad. ♥️♥️👍👍👍👍👍😊
😍 scenery!!!!
I just came back from Colorado. I did not do the Old Fall River Road even though it was open. I did however do the Trail Ridge road, Skyline Drive and drive up to Pikes Peak. Lots of great driving.
I don't remember being uneasy when driving Trail Ridge or even Skyline but Pikes Peak definitely had my hands a bit sweaty lol.
My great-great aunt, who was born in 1890, traveled up one of the park roads by wagon with a group of women in the early 1900's...I can't even imagine. My mother spent her early years in Colorado and remembered being up on one of those high park roads when a car went over the edge. They could see it burning hundreds of feet below, but no one was able to reach them.
Beautiful drive 🚗
God gave us so much beauty and thank you for showing this