Blowing Snow Keeps Trail Ridge Road Closed
GRAND LAKE, Colo. (CBS4)- Blowing snow and icy conditions kept Trail Ridge Road from opening on Friday as crews had originally planned.
Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson told CBS4 that the conditions will continue to be evaluated day by day over the weekend.
Park rangers experienced 20 to 30 mph winds with white out conditions and a high temperatures of 24 degrees above 11,000 feet. Road conditions are described as treacherous with extreme ice.
Crews typically work to have Trail Ridge Road clear of snow by Memorial Day weekend but sometimes Mother Nature has a different idea.
With an elevation that reaches 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in the U.S. Eleven miles of the road are above tree line, offering mountain views that draw visitors from around the world. Plow operators typically encounter snow drifts from 18 to 22 feet tall.
From Rocky Mountain National Park Public Affairs:
For information on Rocky Mountain National Park, including the latest on road conditions, call (970) 586-1206. For the recorded Trail Ridge Road status line, call (970) 586-1222.
Independence Pass opened Thursday as scheduled.