From 1920 to 1932, Fall River Road was the only motor route across Rocky Mountain National Park, and travel on its winding dirt road reflected a time when crossing the park was both challenging and enchanting. Steep grades, narrow lanes, and hairpin curves confront motorists as they climb more than 3,000 feet to Fall River Pass (11,796'). In 1932, the more modern Trail Ridge Road replaced it as the main route between Estes Park and Grand Lake, and today it is open only to uphill traffic.