When this road was first built, some people were angered at the ease at which people could suddenly access the prestigious untouched peaks of the Rockies. People should have to experience a great deal of hardship to reach these peaks. Building a road at 12,000 feet, above tree line, the area in which trees are able to grow, presents an insane amount of trouble. But they did it, and the road alone could be a national park for its innovation and the engineering marvel which to this day, nearly 100 years later, takes automobiles to places previously only reached through intense physical labor. The real star of the show, of course, is the views, the wildlife, and the alpine tundra.

We got in early before reservations were required and we spent the day making frequent stops, hiking moderate distances, at every point of interest which our audio tour mentioned. We won the bus parking lottery and somehow had a perfect spot waiting for us consistently. 

At the end of an exhausting day filled with excitement, one last surprise stole the show.

We found ourselves running along side a herd of Elk. The herd kept pace with the bus for a while before slowing down and cautiously taking their young across the road right in front of us before heading up the mountains to the much cooler air at the peaks. It sounds silly, but it was exhilarating, we were alone, and it felt wild.