From June 15 to September 20 the hotels are open, daily transportation
service through the park is available, and the park may be explored most
conveniently and thoroughly. The roads to Estes Park, by way of Lyons
and the Thompson Canyon, remain open throughout the year and the village
has daily transportation and mail service. Some of the hotels in Estes
Park are open all the year. The national park is never closed to
visitors and every season offers its particular attractions. The autumn
coloring is remarkably beautiful. The aspens start to turn early in
September, and from that time until the middle of October the hillsides
are streaming in golden color. In the winter those who enjoy
snowshoeing, skiing, and other sports will find the park excellently
adapted to these invigorating pleasures. Those portions of the park
having an elevation of 9,000 feet or more are covered with a thick
blanket of snow during most of the winter months. In the spring one may
watch the snow line climb steadily up the slope of the mountains. Birds
and early flowers appear in the valleys while winter still reigns on the
higher mountains.
The Trail Ridge Road remains open to travel until the first heavy
snowfall. This usually occurs in October, and the road is not passable
again before June 15. Other lower roads have a longer season, and even
in mid-winter one may usually go by automobile for 5 or 6 miles beyond
Estes Park Village before finding the roads closed by snow.