Colorado Weather: Rare June Avalanche Closes Road In Montrose County

click to expand

DENVER (CBS4) - It's rare to hear about an avalanche during the month of June, especially one large enough to close a road. It's yet another testament to just how much snow remains on the ground in Colorado's High Country.

Debris from a rare June avalanche covers High Mesa Road in western Colorado. (credit: Montrose County)

Officials in Montrose County on the western slope say Z84 Road, also known as High Mesa Road, of the Little Cimarron, is closed due to nearly five feet of debris blocking travel. The area impacted is located 12.5 miles off of Highway 50, just outside of the town of Cimarron.

In a press released posted to the Montrose County website, Road and Bridge Foreman Chuck Bell said, "snow and water continue to be issues for my crew this season. Roads have washed out and remain snow-packed, but an avalanche like this is something I haven't seen in a while--there is a large amount of debris blocking the road."