The warm colors of this Alpine tundra's flora and fauna belied the bitter cold at this location. At approximately 12,000 feet altitude, it was a rugged world of cold, wind and isolation during our visit. There is a unique beauty to this stark and barren landscape even when the pre winter weather has set in. This was also the last day that the Alpine Visitor Center was open for 2024. Three days later, this area was covered with snow. I would have loved to see this area with snow but the arrival of snow closes Trail Ridge Road confining visitors to the lower areas of the park.