it's probably too late because dga6 is probably on the road already, but just in case...i'd recommend going through estes park and driving up into rmnp on the fall river road then coming back out on trail ridge. you always see some serious elk lounging by the road above timberline on fall river.
Is Fall River the one that is one way on the way up and then meets up with Trail Ridge at the top? If so, I concur with your recommendation.