You will go thru this area if you take the old Fall River Road(one way). its the original old rock road that went over the top. Most vehicles can take this route except campers. its a nice slow drive with lots of scenery. Chapin Pass is a nice spot to get out and explore or have lunch near the top.

What an experience. We were lucky enough to pass through and take this route while it was open, and were very glad we did. Lots of history along the route and beautiful sites. The road is full of switchbacks and places to stop and take photos.

We climbed Mt Chapin from the Old Fall River Road. Although views are limited from the parking lot, a few hundred feet of climbing will get you up to the good stuff. If you've got the lung power, go for the peak only about 1.5 miles away. The views into the valleys are tremendous.

This is a beautiful pass worthy of your time. My wife's parents guided our trip up the mountain via the Fall River Road at my wife's request because she remembered traveling it with them when she was 12 years old. The nine-mile single lane good dirt road (park entry fee of $15 gets you access to this road....I know, but it's worth it. The road features beautiful views of valleys, meadows, waterfalls and wildlife. Keep your camera close and plan time to pull off and enjoy the views. Fall River Road leads to the Trail Ridge Road visitors center where you can grab a drink and hit the John. Continue from there along a two-lane paved road for six miles to Chapin Pass, there is limited parking. Here's the deal, this ride starts paying off right away, so don't be in a hurry to summit, pull over and enjoy all the different beautiful things along the way. Take advantage of the roadside parking to capture great pictures and enjoy the views. Our binoculars came in handy to view a heard of 25+ elk walking through a meadow, we also rounded a corner to see a coyote dart into the woods. Good trip, I'll try to do it every few years and it's an absolute must if you have kids, the tight and windy dirt road made for an adventure my wife vividly remembered from her childhood 18 years ago.