Hwy. 34 to the top ofTrail Ridge Rd.

Every year, it takes an average of 42 days to plow Trail Ridge Road, at a cost of more than $30,000, but most people would agree the effort is well worth it.

The 48-mile stretch of road has been one of Colorado's most popular routes since it opened in 1938, and it's easy to see why. Traveling the scenic byway, visitors get a taste of the variety that makes up the Rocky Mountains. Travelers go from mild, warm temperatures to cold, frigid ones in a matter of minutes. Wildlife changes from elk and deer to marmots and bighorn sheep as the road climbs higher. And green forests give way to rocky tundra with each passing mile.

A yellow-bellied marmmot near the top at about 10,500 ft. of Trail Ridge Road

The road, with 11 miles over 11,000 feet in elevation, holds the honor of America's highest continuous highway. It reaches its peak at 12,183 feet, well above the 11,500 foot timberline, where trees end. From Trail Ridge's breathtaking heights, visitors can sometimes see as far as Wyoming.

There was also much construction on the road. We usually sat for about 10 minutes. This truck splattered us with bits of asphalt. But we were able to get off the truck.