Sprague Lake Area Will Continue To Be Closed Until Further Notice

Date: November 18, 2011
Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

Due to ongoing hazard tree mitigation from last weekend's storm, the Sprague Lake parking area and the trail around the lake will be closed to the public for safety reasons until further notice. The Tuxedo Park picnic area, along Bear Lake Road, also remains closed. Sprague Lake is a popular area for visitors and park staff will continue to work to get the area reopened as soon as it can be done safely. Visitors who may access this area from trails leading from the Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge area and the Glacier Basin Campground will also need to adhere to the closure notices as they approach the Sprague Lake area.      

Extremely high winds this past weekend blew down numerous trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winds were estimated to be between 70 to 90 miles per hour. Many of the trees that blew down were not beetle killed trees, but were old, large ponderosa pines.       

Park visitors should be mindful that falling trees are an ever-present hazard. When traveling or camping in the forest, trees can fall without warning. Be particularly watchful when it's windy, or following a snowstorm when branches are heavy with snow.       

Visitors are encouraged to stop at a park visitor center, call the park's Information Office at [phone] or access the park's website www.nps.gov/romo to get the current status of these closures.