Status Of Old Fall River Road In Rocky Mountain National Park This Fall

Date: September 12, 2011
Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

Rocky Mountain National Park staff will be completing significant road maintenance on Old Fall River Road starting the week of September 19. Beginning Monday, September 19, through Friday, September 23, visitors should expect up to 25 minute delays on Old Fall River Road. Beginning on Monday, September 26, the road will be closed to all traffic until Friday, September 30, and then open for the remainder of the season, weather permitting. If the road work is not completed by September 30, there may be some additional weekday closures.

While the road is closed to vehicles during the week, it will revert to trail status and no bikes or dogs will be allowed. Old Fall River Road normally opens by the Fourth of July holiday weekend but this year, due to the heaviest late spring snow seen in decades, the opening was delayed until July 30.

Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which travels from Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin's south face. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one-way only.