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Rocky Mountain National Park
Road/Trail Conditions & Closures
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Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Trail Ridge Road crests at 12,183. Due to the high elevations and exposure park roads are subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes.
Road conditions in and around the park can change quickly, particularly in the spring and fall. For recorded information on the status of Trail Ridge Road call 970-586-1222. For information about Rocky Mountain National Park call 970-586-1206 daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time).
Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) - Traveler Information
For information about roads outside the park call 303-639-1111 from Denver or out-of-state. For inquiries from within Colorado but outside the Denver area, please call 877-315-7623. Or check the CDOT website at
Road Status
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Trail Ridge Road: Open
Will remain open as long as weather and road conditions permit.
Note: the weather can change Trail Ridge Road conditions at any time. This message is not updated between 4:30 pm and 8 am. For the most up-to-date conditions on Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34), please call the park's Trail Ridge Road status line at 970-586-1222 for recorded information or click on the Colorado Department of Transportation link above.
There are several traffic interruptions along the west side of Trail Ridge Road.
Crews have been mitigating a significant number of hazardous trees along the road corridor in the Colorado River Valley, which is causing some traffic stops.
An overlay project on Trail Ridge Road begins at the park boundary near Grand Lake and progresses north about 10 miles. The road will be a gravel base for the next several weeks until paving begins. Pilot cars will guide vehicles through the construction zone.
Also, repairs are being made to a rock wall on the switchbacks reducing traffic to one lane in that area. A traffic light allows access through this area at any time.
Old Fall River Road: Open. Will remain open as long as weather and road conditions permit.
Old Fall River Road is a steep, one-way unpaved road. It is not suitable for RVs or low-clearance vehicles, but provides spectacular views for suitable passenger cars, trucks, or SUVs.
Vehicles with trailers or vehicles exceeding 25 feet in length are not permitted on Old Fall River Road.
For information about other area closures in the park, click .
Updated Friday, July 3, 2009, 9:25 a.m.
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Longs Peak Conditions
Be knowledgeable. Before heading out on winter trails, check the current avalanche conditions. For more information, click .
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| The Trough, June 26, 2009 |
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June 27, 2009
Longs Peak Trail – The trail is mostly snow free up to Chasm Junction. From Chasm Junction to the Boulderfield the trail is has lots of running water and an occasional patch of snow to cross. Only a few patches of snow exist from the Granite Pass on to the Keyhole, but lots of running water as well. Hikers going to Chasm Lake should expect a steep patch of snow before Chasm Meadows. Expect many sections with ankle deep flowing water.
Keyhole Route – This route remains technical. From the Boulderfield to the Summit, the entire route is covered in snow. The Ledges has mostly snow with sections of ice. The Trough has considerable snow as shown below. The Narrows has sections of ice. The Homestretch is all snow. With the proper equipment and knowledge, the current conditions have created a great mountaineering route!
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| Climber ascending the Homestretch, June 26, 2009 |
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The North Face – Patches of snow on the route, lots of running water. The eye bolts have melted out and are visible. Expect it to be wet.
Kiener’s/Notch Couloir - The traverse from Lamb’s Slide to the base of the Notch/ Kiener’s Chimneys is all snow. Notch Couloir climbers will find mostly snow with one short rock and ice step in the middle. Kiener’s Chimneys are wet and contain a mix of running water and ice. There is snow above the chimneys to the summit.
The Diamond – Yellow Wall is mostly dry, but the Casual Route still has snow and is wet. The North Chimney is snowy and is very wet, some ice in spots.
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| The Narrows, as viewed from the Homestretch, June 26, 2009 |
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Mount Meeker/The Loft – These routes are snow all the way up to the Loft waterfall. The exposed traverse is a mixture of snow and wet rock, with another patch of snow that takes you up to the saddle.
Dreamweaver – The route is in great condition! Currently, firm snow exists on most of the route with three ice steps at the cruxes.
Camping -Longs Peak Campground is open. The rate for these campsites is now $20.
A backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Permits can be obtained at the Longs Peak Ranger Station or the Backcountry Office, located next to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, from 7am – 7 pm. Please abide by all rules and regulations and take care of the Longs Peak backcountry
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Trail Conditions
Important
These Trail Conditions reports are the viewpoints of the submitters, whether park staff, volunteers, or visitors. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Use these reports only as guidelines. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions.
Be knowledgeable. Before heading out on winter trails, check the current avalanche conditions. For more information, click .
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Trail: Boulder Brook & North Longs
Date: 7/1/09
By: Park Ranger
Both Boulder Brook and North Longs Peak Trails are snow free to Granite Pass.
Trail: Lake Ypsilon & Fay Lakes
Date: 6/30/09
By: Visitor
Trail clear to Lake Ypsilon. Snow encountered only between Middle and Lower Fay Lakes; easily walked over using gaiters.
Trail: Pear Lake
Date: 6/29/09
By: Park Ranger
Trail is snowfree until the junction with the Pear Creek campsites. Almost continuous snow beyond to Pear Lake. There is a boot track in the snow to the lake.
Trail: Bluebird Lake
Date: 6/28/09
By: Park Ranger
Trail is mostly snowfree to Ouzel Lake. Significant snow patches begin 1/2 mile beyond the Ouzel Lake Junction. Almost continuous snow about a mile below Bluebird Lake. There is a boot track but the hike requires crossing several steep snow slopes. Route navigation and snow travel skills required.
Trail: Thunder Lake
Date: 6/27/09
By: Park Ranger
Trail is mostly snowfree. The last 1/4 mile has several snow patches 6 inches to a foot deep. All snow patches have a boot track to follow.
Trail: Lawn Lake
Date: 6/26/09
By: Park Ranger
Roaring River is roaring with the spring melt. There are still several large snowfields in the vicinity of the Saddle, which are firm in the morning but become quite soft as the day progresses; be careful crossing them if you do not have the right equipment or experience.
Trail: Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead
Date: 6/26/09
By: Visitor
Snow is 3-4' deep between Helene and Odessa. Good hiking boots/poles a must. Very difficult to traverse over snow down to Odessa. Mosquito repellent needed between Odessa and Fern Lake.
Trail: North Inlet
Date: 6/26/09
By: Visitor
Switchbacks above July campsites - still snowy, stabalizers/poles would be helpful, steps kicked-in by hikers... use caution!
Trail: Lake of Glass
Date: 6/26/09
By: Park Ranger
Trail is free of snow until just before Loch. At the Loch the snow is patchy and then continuous to Timberline Falls. Timberline Falls is still snow covered and relatively hazardous to climb due to a combination of running water, melting snow, and tricky rocks. Lake of Glass and area beyond relatively little snow.
Trail: Ute Trail: Alpine Visitor Center-Milner Pass
Date: 6/25/09
By: Park Ranger
Starting at AVC, first snowfield encountered about one mile out. From there, more snowfields with trail difficult to find as you approach Milner Pass.
Trail: Lion Lake
Date: 6/24/09
By: Visitor
Continuous snow from Thunder Lake Trail Junction. Snow is well packed, snowshoes not necessary. Trail is occasionally difficult to follow.
Trail: Flattop, Andrews Glacier
Date: 6/24/09
By: Park Ranger
From Bear Lake Trailhead to Flattop, trail begins to have periodic snow patches (1-4' deep) about 1 1/2 mile from trailhead. Snow is firm enough in the morning to traverse without floatation. Trail is at some points difficult to follow. On Flattop, snow patches are periodic and can be up to 3' deep with some postholing. Andrews Glacier is fairly easy to navigate even without mountaineering gear. However below the Tarn, large steep snowfields exist, and some form of self arrest may be necessary. Visitors without self arrest equipment or experience should be very careful to choose a safe route down or consider an alternate trip. Snow exists until below the Loch.
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For information about trail or other area closures in the park, click .
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