Trail Ridge Rd (RMNP) and other openings in Colorado
Was up in Estes Park this past weekend and they are making progress on Trail Ridge Road -- two weeks ago it was closed 8 miles from the entrance, at Many Parks Curve and Overlook. On Tuesday, it was closed 3 miles further up -- 11 miles from the entrance! They are still targeting Memorial Day weekend as the opening date, but I'm thinking they may be hard pressed to do so, given the amount of snow up there this season, as well as the late season snows we've had, the most recent biggie being on Mother's Day. That said, the RMNP road crews do a phenomenal job in trying to get it open on time and more importantly, keep it open! I'm hoping they will be successful! If not, I'll update this!
As for other openings, of the "High Roads" in Colorado...
CO 5/Mt. Evans Rd outside of Idaho Springs still closed for the season at Echo Lake. There's no projected opening date that I've seen, news media is usually all over this opening when it happens...and they're not. My guess is, they've still got big snows to get through from Echo Lake to the summit.
CO 82/Independence Pass. Scheduled to open Thursday, May 22. Based on current weather conditions, they will likely make it, it's been warm(er) this week, snow eaters have been making good progress, news media covering it! Will likely be open for Memorial Day.
FR 306/Cottonwood Pass (Buena Vista to Taylor Park) Scheduled to open on Friday, May 23. Like Independence Pass, it's been warm(er) up there this past week, they've probably made some good progress. Not as high profile an opening as some of the others, but an important one, nonetheless, as this is one of the highest regularly travelled passes in the state, and that trip to Taylor Park is definitely a "must do" trip!
As for other openings, of the "High Roads" in Colorado...
CO 5/Mt. Evans Rd outside of Idaho Springs still closed for the season at Echo Lake. There's no projected opening date that I've seen, news media is usually all over this opening when it happens...and they're not. My guess is, they've still got big snows to get through from Echo Lake to the summit.
CO 82/Independence Pass. Scheduled to open Thursday, May 22. Based on current weather conditions, they will likely make it, it's been warm(er) this week, snow eaters have been making good progress, news media covering it! Will likely be open for Memorial Day.
FR 306/Cottonwood Pass (Buena Vista to Taylor Park) Scheduled to open on Friday, May 23. Like Independence Pass, it's been warm(er) up there this past week, they've probably made some good progress. Not as high profile an opening as some of the others, but an important one, nonetheless, as this is one of the highest regularly travelled passes in the state, and that trip to Taylor Park is definitely a "must do" trip!
