Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season but visitors should keep an eye out for icy conditions from melting snow.
The road historically opens on Memorial Day but that was delayed by a major snowstorm on May 18 and 19 that dropped more than 3 feet of snow in the lower elevations of the park. Plow operators were looking at 8-14 feet of snow at higher elevations.
The Trail Ridge Store and Alpine Visitor Center are expected to open later this week, according to . Presently, night-time closures are not in effect.
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., climbing to 12,183 feet and connecting Estes Park and Grand Lake. The earliest the road has opened is May 7 in 2002, while the latest is June 26 in 1943.
Given Colorado’s temperamental weather changes, park goers should call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded phone line at (970) 586-1222 before heading out. Also be prepared to adjust travel plans if weather becomes rough.
