Seasonal Openings - Colorado

Question

In addition to US 34/Big Thompson Canyon re-opening permanently on Thursday, May 24th at 4:00pm, there are some additional openings as well (weather permitting):

Trail Ridge Road/US 34 in Rocky Mountain National Park scheduled to open on Friday, May 25th. Initially, crews encountered 4+ foot drifts on lower sections but when they got up top, they found less snow than expected. Late season snowstorms that were forecast, didn't happen, turned out to be more of a rain event. Forecast high temps in Estes Park in the mid-70s should make for a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Independence Pass/CO 82 scheduled to open on Friday, May 25th as well.

Mt. Evans Road also scheduled to open on Friday, May 25th. Like with Trail Ridge, road crews found less snow up top than anticipated.

Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend. And let us not forget the reason for this weekend. THANK YOU to all of the service members, active or retired, for your service and dedication to our country.

heisenberg · Answer

"not forget" and that is such a small price to pay................

thom02099 · Answer

Just confirmed this morning (8:00amMT) from nps.gov/romo that Trail Ridge is indeed officially open.  They do caution to watch for ice on the roadway, due to melting and refreezing snow. This would be particularly true early in the morning.  Headed up there later today...wooohooo!

thom02099 · Answer

Up on Trail Ridge Road this weekend.  A lot LESS snow than I've seen in seasons past.  Where last season and 2 years ago had 20+ foot drifts, the highest this season were about 12 feet.  Alpine Visitors Center was completely plowed out with no drifts up against the buildings.  I'm guessing that they probably could have opened it a week earlier.  There seemed to be a bit more snow on the west side heading down to Grand Lake, but no big drifts. Grand Lake was really hopping with tourists.

4runnerguy · Answer

Must have been a zoo up there. We passed by US 34 in west Loveland several times over the long weekend and long line of cars heading up in the a.m. and down in the p.m. Ugh.

thom02099 · Answer

4runnerguy wrote:Must have been a zoo up there. We passed by US 34 in west Loveland several times over the long weekend and long line of cars heading up in the a.m. and down in the p.m. Ugh.Hey Ken,Bit of a mixed bag, actually.  Trail Ridge Road itself wasn't as crowded as I anticipated, though the Alpine Visitor's Center was.  Prior to noon and they already had Rangers out closing off the parking lot and/or directing traffic in/out.  There was more traffic going down the west side than I usually encounter, and Grand Lake had some goodly traffic as well. Moraine Park CG was full, very few no show spots.  Great Elk viewing from my spot, near the amphitheatre.

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