Spring Road Opening BlogAbout This BlogEvery spring, Denali's road warriors set out in heavy equipment to clear a winter full of ice and snow from the park road. Periodic photos and updates let the public track their progress as we prepare first for the public opening and then for the start of the bus season in mid-May. SRO Update for March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024
Spring Road Opening has happened quickly this year due to a lack of snow and little drifting. The crews reached Pretty Rocks (Mile 45.4) in just ten days. SRO Update for April 5, 2023
April 05, 2023
The road crew reached Pretty Rocks (Mile 45.4) this week. Snow and wind has caused new drifting, and crews are now headed back east, clearing drifts and reopening the road along the way. SRO Update for March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023
Road crews reached Sable Pass (Mile 39) and worked to clear new snow drifts this week. SRO Update: April 15, 2022
April 15, 2022
Crews have completed the trip west to Pretty Rocks (Mile 45.4). The work will continue as they clear drifting snow and open up ditches. SRO Updates for Spring, 2021
April 14, 2021
A series of short updates from the road crew's progress in the 2021 Spring Road Opening work. SRO Update: May 8, 2020
May 08, 2020
Crews remain a few days away from Mile 66 (Eielson Visitor Center). SRO Update: May 1, 2020
May 01, 2020
The crews reach Stony Creek, although snow conditions are unusually difficult in the western end of the park. SRO Update: April 24, 2020
April 24, 2020
A spring snowstorm caused a set-back, but the road crews continue to work westward. SRO Update for April 11, 2019
April 11, 2019
The road has been plowed fully, but new snow out west and ice build-ups mean some areas remain saturated from surface to the road bed. SRO Update for March 28, 2019
March 28, 2019
The road opening is going along smoothly. We finally found some snow west of Toklat. There are 6 to 8 foot drifts heading up Highway Pass and there appears to be more snow in general. SRO Update for March 21, 2019
March 21, 2019
An extremely warm late winter means limited snow, but areas of thick ice. SRO Update for March 14, 2019
March 14, 2019
On Sunday, March 17, road crews will head west from Mountain Vista (Mile 13) to remove snow and ice from the road. SRO Update for May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018
The end nears, with plow crews on the north side of Wonder Lake. SRO Update for May 10, 2018
May 10, 2018
The crew deals with tough conditions along Eielson Bluffs and finds non-stop snow drifts throughout the western end of the park road. SRO Update for May 1, 2018
May 01, 2018
The road crew battles a spring snowstorm as they reach Eielson Bluffs. SRO Update for April 25, 2018
April 26, 2018
A comparison where SRO was in late April the past six years. SRO Update for April 19, 2018
April 19, 2018
Starting up Highway Pass from mile 57.5. The snow depth is starting to increase significantly, as it usually does in this area, but with the higher snow amount in comparison to the past several years it has slowed us down even more. SRO Update for April 7, 2018
April 07, 2018
We hope to make it to East Fork bridge by the end of the day but the amount of snow will determine our westward progress . SRO Update for April 3, 2018
April 03, 2018
Starting up Tattler grade. Crews were able to use the rotary snow blower through the entirety of Igloo Forest which will pay off in large dividends throughout the spring and summer. SRO Update for March 28, 2018
March 28, 2018
The crew started to find an ice lens over the road and now we will be chaining up the grader and welding ice cleats on the dozers. While this takes place the snowblower is making its way through the campground and Igloo forest so the timing is good. SRO Update for March 23, 2018
March 23, 2018
Today's crew made it to upper Hogan and continued cleaning up from this weeks snow storm. They've passed through the multiple drifts from Primrose to Hogan and are putting the finishing touches on that segment of road. SRO Update for March 20, 2018
March 20, 2018
After making it to mile 18 for a brief moment yesterday, we've retreated to HQ regrettably today. While on our way west from the Savage box on Sunday morning we found heavy snow and large drifts. Once today's snow is done falling, we will re-plow our way to mile 18 and continue on. SRO Update for April 17, 2017
April 17, 2017
The road is open for public traffic as far as Teklanika River (Mile 30) and the weather has been one beautiful, sunny day after another. Night-time lows continue to fall into the low teens, so hikers or cyclists should be prepared for a big temperature range. SRO Update for April 10, 2017
April 10, 2017
SRO 2017 remains on schedule, with plowing crews around Toklat River (Mile 53). The road remains quite soggy from Teklanika onward. Once it firms up, the crew can begin thinking about opening the road to all traffic. SRO Update for April 7, 2017
April 07, 2017
The advanced plow team is on Polychrome Mountain, hoping to allow maintenance staff to Toklat (Mile 53) soon. The road recently opened to Savage River (Mile 15) for all public traffic, and should open to Teklanika soon, barring bad weather. SRO Update for April 3, 2017
April 03, 2017
Recent warm weather raises the possibility of flooding, though so far conditions have been nowhere near as bad as 2013. SRO Update for March 27, 2017
March 27, 2017
The crew made it to Tek rest stop last night. They encountered more snow as they moved west of Tek flats and into the forest. The crew is rushing to Igloo Creek, as a warm spell coming up this week could cause meltwater to flow across the road if ice isn't removed near the bridge. SRO Update for March 23, 2017
March 23, 2017
The crew makes it to Sanctuary River, and plans for an opening to Savage River for public traffic by next week, weather permitting. SRO Update for March 21, 2017
March 23, 2017
Though plowing occurs in early March to get the road open to Mountain Vista (Mile 13.5), regular Spring Road Opening updates typically begin on March 21 each year. SRO Update for April 20, 2016
April 20, 2016
The final SRO update for 2016, as the plows have already reached the end of the road! SRO Update for April 15, 2016
April 15, 2016
The road crew contemplates the earliest-ever finish to Spring Road Opening. SRO Update for April 13, 2016
April 13, 2016
The crew has made it to Mile 66, Eielson Visitor Center. Bear sightings are becoming frequent! SRO Update for April 7, 2016
April 07, 2016
The park road opens to Mile 30 for private vehicle traffic, making 2016 one of, if not the, earliest Tek openings! SRO Update for April 4, 2016
April 04, 2016
Making faster than usual progress, the road crew hopes to open to Teklanika River (Mile 30) later this week, assuming good weather. SRO Update for March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016
With a warm and dry forecast, the road crew hopes to have the road from Savage to Tek in good shape and open before long. The current forecast suggests warmer, drier weather, which will help the dirt road dry out and harden it for traffic. SRO Update for March 28, 2016
March 28, 2016
The road crew pushes into Igloo Forest, while spring weather threatens a rain/snow mix all week. SRO Update for March 23, 2016
March 23, 2016
The second update from a spring-like start to plowing out the road. SRO Update for March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
SRO 2016 kicks off right after a delightful weekend snowstorm! Plan a Spring Visit
Stories and Articles about the Denali Park Road |
Last updated: May 20, 2024