Memorial Day travelers looking to unofficially kick off the summer season in Rocky Mountain National Park may have to re-route their plans — it’s still winter along Trail Ridge Road.
The highest continuous paved road in the U.S. likely won’t be open over Memorial Day weekend as snow plow operators continue to try to clear drifted snow from the road that tops out at 12,183 feet, Kyle Patterson, a spokesperson from the park said Thursday evening.
More snow and overnight freezing temperatures are forecast at elevations above 10,000 feet.
Wind has been the main challenge over the past week, causing low visibility for snowplow operators, Patterson said. A thick layer of ice also formed beneath drifted snow.
Photos shared by RMNP show a snowplow in nearly whiteout conditions Wednesday driving past tall snow drifts.
Snow plow operators faced many setbacks while trying to clear Trail Ridge Road, including high wind that caused low visibility, a spokesperson for the national park said. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain National Park)While Trail Ridge Road continues to thaw, most other mountain passes opened for the summer season this week.
Crews spent about six days clearing snow on Guanella Pass, which connects Interstate 70 at Georgetown and U.S. 285 in Clear Creek County.
Snow was packed as deep as 5 feet, the county said Thursday, announcing the pass’ opening on social media.
Independence Pass, the popular highway that tops out at 12,095 feet and connects Aspen to Twin Lakes while passing beneath four fourteeners, also reopened Thursday afternoon, which is its typical opening of the Thursday before the holiday weekend.
Crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center triggered several snow slides using helicopters to drop explosives and mitigate the risk of avalanches, CDOT said in a news release. CDOT maintenance crews also cleared snow, ice and debris from the road and made road repairs.
“The annual opening of Independence Pass is an important step as we transition from winter weather to summer,” Jason Smith, CDOT Region 3 Regional Transportation Director, said in a statement.
“This narrow, winding road allows tourists and travelers access to areas around Aspen and beyond. While it is closed in the winter, it takes motorists a couple of hours longer via detours. We are happy to say we made sure the necessary repairs were made so drivers can travel the road safely.”
Cottonwood Pass, which connects Chaffee and Gunnison counties, also opened Thursday. About a half-million vehicles travel over the pass each year, which crosses the Continental Divide at 12,120 feet. Kebler Pass, which has dirt sections and connects Crested Butte to Highway 133 in Gunnison County, opened Friday.
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Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( It’s still winter on Trail Ridge Road. The RMNP pass will likely stay closed for Memorial Day weekend. )
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