We came to Estes Park the first week of October for the Fall Elk Rut, which sadly turned out to be a huge disappointment. It looks like this area has suffered from severe drought conditions, so we didn't see as many elk as we do when we come in late May or early June. So we decided to enjoy the Park as much as we could under the current conditions. Driving up to the Alpine Center has always been a highlight of any trip to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Due to the pandemic, timed reservations are required to enter the Park and can be obtained online at $2.00 per day for each reservation through the NPS website. The Park was brown from lack of rain, but the Aspen trees were changing color and looked like gold coins shimmering on the trees in the wind. Restrooms are open up at the Alpine Center as is the Visitor Center where you can talk to the friendly and knowledgeable Park Rangers who are doing a magnificent job under difficult circumstances. Be sure to wear a mask. We arrived too early and had to wait for the Park store and Visitor center to open. There is plenty of parking but bring a warm coat as it's cold and windy at the top in the Fall. Visitors can turn left out of the Alpine Center and head back down the mountain, or a right turn goes to the Continental Divide, Poudre Lake Trails and on to Grand Lake at the west side of the Park. Whenever you visit, Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful experience.

This visitor’s center is at the peak altitude of Trail Ridge Road. Aside from the usual visitor’s center, there is an adjacent store with a large selection of items and a cafe serving hot food and snacks. From the visitor’s center, there are nice views into a valley. Given the high altitude, take it easy and dress appropriately. When we visited in September, the plumbing had been turned off in preparation for the winter and hence only the vault toilets were available.

Near the summit of Trail Ridge Road at 11,796 feet (3,595m), the Alpine Visitor Center is the highest visitor center in the entire National Park Service’s system. While the visitor center itself is quite small, the adjacent gift shop is extensive and there is also a restaurant and pit toilets onsite. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has temporarily closed access to the buildings but rangers continue to assist visitors outside. However, the physical facilities are not what make this visitor center exceptional, it is the surroundings. The views of the mountains and tundra from behind the visitor center, made even better dusted with an early October snow, tundra changing color and the elk in rut; the close up views of tundra habitat and broad vistas from the top of the adjacent Alpine Ridge Trail that, while short, climbs steadily, often with the aid of steps, to 12,005 feet (3,659m) that will have a low lander like me feeling the altitude, are what makes the Alpine Visitor Center a destination I would strongly recommend to every visitor to the park.