There are two definitions of highest paved road in the US. Both are in Colorado though. The highest continous paved road that goes over the top of the mountain is Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Around 12,000 feet elevation. You start/end in Estes Park, Colorado and go to Granby on the west side of the mountains. Map 6 of the Transamerica route goes just to the west of Granby. You could easily go east to Granby, over Trail Ridge Road into Estes Park, then go south from Estes park along scenic Highway 7 at the base of the mountains on the east of the Rockies. Ends up down in Idaho Springs.
Then you can climb the highest paved road in the US. 14,000 or so feet to the top of Mt. Evans. About 30 or so miles from Idaho Springs to the top. The paved road ends at the top. You go up and back the same road. Then after recuperating, you can easily get back onto the Transamerica route by going west a bit.
I've climbed Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to Granby. Its really long. About 18 miles of continous climbing. Not a terrible grade, but after 18 unending miles, its terrible enough. I'm glad I climbed it. I suppose if I'm biking in the area again, I'll climb it again. There is a little bit of traffic on the road, but it is all going slowly so its not a problem. Road is very good since its such a tourist road for cars. The Mt. Evans road is very rough, potholed, broken since its at a much higher elevation. Not as much car traffic because its not continous. I've heard the difficult part is keeping your speed in check coming back down on the terrible road. I think its a narrow road too.
This message was edited by RussellSeaton on 12-28-05 @ 9:32 AM
