Rocky Mountain National Park officials closed Trail Ridge Road to through travel for the season on Wednesday, shutting down the winding road between Estes Park and Grand Lake until May.
Often packed with tourists seeking alpine scenery during the summer, Trail Ridge Road includes 11 miles of roadway above 11,500 feet with few guard rails and no shoulders, according to park officials. The road often sees high winds, drifting snow and below-freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet throughout the winter.
The road is closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. Closure points may fluctuate, according to park officials, but the road will remain closed to through traffic for the season.
Old Fall River Road is also closed to vehicles for the season.
Popular park destinations that are still open include Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park on the east side of the park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side.
Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are open to bicycles, hikers, and people walking leashed pets through Nov. 30. Both roads will become winter trails on Dec. 1 and will be open only to pedestrians, snowshoers and skiers.
Trail Ridge Road typically reopens to through traffic in late May or early June, depending on weather and road conditions.
