Trail Ridge Road is the highest contiguous roadway in North America and it is planned to open again on May 28nd, 2010.

Trail Ridge Road opens for the season

Thursday, May 27, 2010

ESTES PARK, Colo. — Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is scheduled to open around 9 a.m on May 28th.  The Mayors of Grand Lake and Estes Park will cut a ceremonial ribbon that morning to celebrate the opening of the road that connects their two communities.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 23. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet and connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year in November.

Due to extensive construction work planned this summer, there will  up to 30 minute delays through the workzones and heavy trucks will be hauling material. There will be large sections of dirt and rock on the road due to milling and pulverizing of the road surface.  Throughout the summer, some of the pull-offs will be closed for construction whether it is tearing up the road or paving it.

Also,  No work will take place over the holiday weekend from noon Friday through 6AM Tuesday, June 1.

National Park Service plow operators normally begin clearing the snow in April.  Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the Alpine Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is the highest in the National Park Service, sitting at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms often impact plowing activities. Plow operators can encounter drifts from 18 to 22 feet.

Because weather conditions may change rapidly, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to contact the park information office at (970) 586-1206 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo to receive current road conditions.

From the RMNP - NPS website:

Old Fall River Road: Closed. Scheduled to open in early July.

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.

Please Note:
Old Fall River Road is open to bicycles and pets, as posted during spring maintenance operations prior to vehicle access.

The following secondary roads are now open:

• Upper Beaver Meadows Road
• Twin Sisters Trailhead Access Road
• Fern Lake Road
• Wild Basin Road
• Endovalley Road