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Rocky Mountain National Park
Road/Trail Conditions & Closures
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Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Trail Ridge Road crests at 12,183 feet. Due to the high elevations and exposure park roads are subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes.
Road conditions in and around the park can change quickly, particularly in the spring and fall. For recorded information on the status of Trail Ridge Road call 970-586-1222. For information about Rocky Mountain National Park call 970-586-1206 daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time).
Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) - Traveler Information
For information about roads outside the park call 303-639-1111 from Denver or out-of-state. For inquiries from within Colorado but outside the Denver area, please call 877-315-7623. Or check the CDOT website at
Road Status
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Trail Ridge Road: Closed for the season
Closures are at Many Parks Curve on the east side, which is about eight miles from the east entrances, and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side, which is about 10 miles from the Grand Lake Entrance.
Trail Ridge Road will reopen on May 28, 2010, weather permitting.
For up-to-date conditions on Trail Ridge Road, 24 hours a day, please call 970-586-1222 for recorded information. You can also click on the Colorado Department of Transportation link above.
Old Fall River Road: Closed for the season
Old Fall River Road is a steep, one-way unpaved road. It is not suitable for RVs or low-clearance vehicles, but provides spectacular views for suitable passenger cars, trucks, or SUVs.
Vehicles with trailers or vehicles exceeding 25 feet in length are not permitted on Old Fall River Road.
Other Roads Closed for the Season
Fern Lake Road beyond the winter parking winter trail status; closed to pets and bicycles
Twin Sisters Trailhead Access Road winter trail status; closed to pets and bicycles
Upper Beaver Meadows Road winter road status; open to pets and bicycles
Wild Basin Road beyond the winter parking winter trail status; closed to pets and bicycles
For information about other area closures in the park, click .
Updated: Thursday, October 29 at 11 a.m.
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Longs Peak Conditions
September 27, 2009
Conditions on Longs Peak can change at any time. Snow and freezing temperatures occur regularly during this time of year. Snow and ice can quickly cover any of the routes described below on any given day. Please be observant and watch for changing weather and conditions and adjust plans accordingly. Please take appropriate gear to endure these changing conditions.
For a current Longs Peak weather forecast from the National Weather Service please click here.
For more information about climbing Longs Peak, go to http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/longspeak.htm.
Longs Peak Trails - Most of the recent snow has melted off the trails below 11,000. Above 11,000 patches of snow still exist. Expect these patches of snow to linger and grow as more stormy weather arrives later this week.
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| NPS Photo |
| View from the boulderfield on September 27. |
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NPS Photo Assessing conditions at the Keyhole.
Keyhole Route - The route is technical and in winter conditions. Recent storms have covered the route with snow and ice. Climbing parties have reported drifts up to three feet deep in the Trough. Sunny weather and warmer temperatures will melt some of this snow during the day; however, this water will refreeze each night leaving a mix of snow and ice on the route. Conditions on this route change daily, if not hourly. Expect to climb through a little bit of everything. Remember, fall weather in the valleys means wintery conditions on Longs Peak, so be prepared for cold, windy, snowy weather while on the upper mountain.
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| NPS Photo |
| What to expect when storms begin to clear. |
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NPS Photo The Diamond, September 27.
The North Face/ Cables Route - The combination of snow, sun, and freezing overnight temperatures will form ice in the crux dihedral. All of the eye bolts remain visable. Patches of snow exist beyond the eyebolts. As with other routes, conditions are cycling rapidly from snow to ice to water and back to ice. Be prepared for anything.
Kiener’s/Notch Couloir – Fall storms are transitioning this route into winter shape. Occasional snow storms will leave the route blanketed with snow. Sunny days may then melt much of the snow, but expect snow and ice to exist on the route for the rest of the season. Lamb’s Slide is slowly transitioning from firm alpine ice to winter snow.
The Diamond – Most of the ledges on the Diamond now have snow on them. Any where that was wet has frozen. Expect cold, shady conditions on any Diamond climbs, unless you can finish your intended route during the 2-3 hours of sunlight that the Diamond receives each morning. Most of this snow will probably not melt off the face until next spring. Glacial snow exists up to the base of the North Chimney, with patches of snow and ice in the chimney proper.
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| NPS Photo |
| The Loft, September 27. |
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The Loft/Clark’s Arrow - A thin layer of snow has covered most of the Loft Gully below the waterfall. This snow hides many of the gaps in between the rocks until climbers manage to find them with their feet. The Traverse also has snow cover and has become quite slippery. The Loft Waterfall has a thin layer of ice over the top of it, but running water still exists behind this frozen curtain.
Camping -Longs Peak Campground is open. The water has been turned off and the rate for these sites is $14 per night.
A backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry.
Permits can be obtained at the Longs Peak Ranger Station (weekends only) or the Backcountry Office, located next to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Please abide by all rules and regulations and take care of the Longs Peak backcountry.
Trail Conditions
Important: These Trail Conditions reports are the viewpoints of the submitters, whether park staff, volunteers, or visitors. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Use these reports only as guidelines. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions.
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Trail: Thunder Lake
Date: 11/19/09
By: Ranger
Skied from winter Wild Basin Trailhead to Thunder Lake. The trail is packed up to Calypso Cascades. Skis were unnecessary/a nusience until Ouzel Falls. After that, some kind of floatation device (skis or snowshoes) was necessary. Even covered with snow, the trail was still easy to follow. About a foot of snow was present at Thunder Lake.
Trail: Calypso Casades
Date: 11/18/09
By: Vistor
Post-holeing beyond first mile. At start 6" of snow going to over 1' beyond first mile. Snow on trail not compacted. Snow shoes recommand beyond first mile
Trail: Flattop Mtn
Date: 11/16/09
By: Visitor
Trail snow covered with depths ranging from 2-5" at beginning to 1-2' in drifts above treeline. Snowshoes needed but lots of exposed rocks. Trail hard to follow above treeline.
Trail: Deer Mountain
Date: 11/12/09
By: Visitor
Hiked about 1.5 miles on trail. Was icy and needed tracction devices. Boots alone would not be enough.
Trail: Flattop Mountain
Date: 11/11/09
By: Visitor
Trail condition varied from clear and dry to ice to snow. Snow was 6 to 8 inches deep in spots. Traction devices are recommended.
Trail: Glacier Basin
Date: 11/10/09
By: Visitor
Glacier Creek trail mostly snow covered with some icy spots. Glacier Basin loop trails to East Portal have a little patchy soft snow. Wind River trail and Storm Pass trail have packed snow and icy spots. Traction not necessary.
Trail: Emerald Lake
Date: 11/9/09
By: Volunteer
Trail is hardpacked snow and ice almost all the way. There are a few bare patches. Both traction and trekking poles are needed for safety.
Trail: Bear Lake to Lake Haiyah
Date: 11/8/09
By: Visitor
Trail mostly snow-packed with 8-12 inches on the sides of the trail. traction recommended. Postholing around the rocks at the lake.
Trail: Bear Lake & Dream Lake
Date: 11/8/09
By: Volunteer
Both trails EXTREMELY ICY & SLIPPERY. Visitors are having difficulty.
Trail: Dragon Tail
Date: 11/8/09
By: Visitor
Good in the morning, too soft in the afternoon.
Trail: Bear Lake
Date: 11/8/09
By: Volunteer
All trails around the Bear Lake area are very icy and slippery. Traction necessary.
Be knowledgeable. Before heading out on winter trails, check the current avalanche conditions. For more information, click here.
For information about trail or other area closures in the park, click .
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