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Trail Ridge Road At Rocky Mountain National Park Closed For Winter

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By NPT Staff - November 5th, 2014
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Efforts to keep Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park have ended for the season, as it was a losing battle. This shot was taken in early October./NPS

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park closed for the winter Tuesday, marking the latest date since 2005 that it remained open to wheeled traffic.

The closure, though, shouldn't convince many people to cross the park off their list of winter travel destinations. According to park staff, the most popular destinations in Rocky Mountain for this time of year include the Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of the Continental Divide. Plus the Endovalley Road has recently reopened after last year'™s flood damage, the staff add.

Trail Ridge Road, one of the most impressive alpine highways in the United States, is the highest continuous paved road in America and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. The road connects the park'™s communities of Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west. Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all season road; it includes 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails, and no shoulder. There are winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet. The road is currently closed at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side and Many Parks Curve on the east side.

According to park superintendent Vaughn Baker,

'œAt high elevations we continue to receive high winds and freezing temperatures," said Rocky Mountain Superintendent Vaughn Baker. "The snow continues to blow and drift on Trail Ridge Road, making snow clearing operations and driving conditions extremely hazardous. During the winter season, weather permitting, we will keep Trail Ridge Road open to Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and to the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.'

The average winter closure date for Trail Ridge Road has been October 23. Although often times the road closes earlier and does not reopen, the previous ten years' official closure dates are: October 22, 2013, October 17, 2012, October 27, 2011, October 29, 2010, October 21, 2009, November 6, 2008, October 22, 2007, October 23, 2006, November 4, 2005 and October 25, 2004. The central portion of Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on May 23.

 

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