ESTES PARK, Colo.—Among chirping birds and rustling leaves, a unison “Wooo!” followed by fits of laughter echoed through the trees of Roosevelt National Forest. Gears cranking, a massive 2 1/2-ton cargo vehicle soared over every rock and dip in the unpaved road, bumping its 20 passengers off their seats with each one.
This is not an average scenic drive through the woods—it’s the roller coaster of the Rockies.
Ever since opening more than half a century ago, American Wilderness Tours has taken sightseers off the beaten path into wilderness that can only be reached by foot—and the company’s all-wheel drive vehicles.
Using vehicles made for the military, as well as a special-use permit, tour guides give passengers a ride through the secluded national forest that would stop average cars in their tracks.
Along with a wild ride, the tour offers scenic stops, including in a 200-year-old aspen grove and Panorama Peak, to give passengers time to relax and enjoy views.
“It’s a nice way to hike,” said Lill Lyngholm of the company. “It’s a very unique mountain.”
Before beginning a two-hour tour, driver Bobbie Sekich warned passengers of the ride ahead.
“I aim for bumps,” she said with a laugh.
And the 1954 “Deuce in a Half” vehicle, which was obtained by the company after being used in the Korean War, held up to each rock, dip and steep slope along the way.
Some of the trail follows Pole Hill Road, an old stagecoach path that took travelers from Estes Park to Loveland. It got its name after travelers realized the only way they could get down was to stick a pole in their wagon spokes and slide down the mountain, Sekich said.
Needless to say, it still gives passengers a white-knuckled thrill, even on today’s modern mode of transportation.
But not all the 22-mile ride is bumpy. There are some smooth sections and a few stops along the way.
One especially beautiful detour is under the limbs of a more than 200-year-old aspen forest, where passengers can climb out of the vehicle and explore.
At the midpoint of the tour, the ride rests on the top of Panorama Peak, which is complete with a viewing tower standing at 9,400 feet above sea level.
It gives a 360-degree view of the surrounding areas, including Longs Peak, Estes Park, Loveland and Longmont. And on an especially clear day, Sekich said, sightseers can make out the Earth’s curvature.
The tours, which usually run from May 15 to Oct. 15, are perfect for anyone who wants to experience nature and a little adventure, Lyngholm said.
She’s seen riders ranging in age from a few days old to 99. The only limitation in participating would be those with back problems or pregnancy.
“I think everybody should experience it,” she said.
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Information from: Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald,
