Plowing Begins on Dinosaur National Monument’s Harpers Corner Road

Plowing operations along the Harper’s Corner Road at Stuntz Ridge.

NPS Photos

Date: March 8, 2011
Contact: Dan Johnson, [phone]

Staff at Dinosaur National Monument has started work on opening Harpers Corner Road for the year.

Traditionally, the Monument opens the Harper's Corner Road by Easter weekend. However, since Easter is on April 24th this year, the monument plans to have the road open earlier. Crews will work daily in the next few weeks, unless any new heavy snowfall is received, to plow the road where snow drifts are fourteen feet deep in some places.

According to Gary Mott, Monument Facility Manager, "Once plowed, the road and sub-base needs to dry for about two weeks to prevent road damage. We hope to have the road opened by April 15th."

The Harpers Corner Road is a scenic 32-mile paved road (one-way) that leads to the heart of Dinosaur National Monument's canyon country. Several overlooks provide sweeping vistas of the Green and Yampa River canyons. Two trails along the road lead to the canyon rim, allowing a closer look at the Green River over 2000 feet below and into the ragged Split Mountain Gorge. Visitors should use caution when hiking these trails in the spring as lingering snow and wet conditions may make the trails slippery in places.

Please remember that Dinosaur's weather is unpredictable and can change rapidly. Visitors should always be prepared for a range of conditions. For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, call us at [phone] or find us on facebook.