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Winter Road Condition Hotline and Winter Storm Response Plan Fruita, CO - Even when roads are clear in the Grand Valley, road surfaces within the monument where adjacent cliffs shadow the roadway can still be icy long after a storm has passed. If you are planning a winter tour along Rim Rock Drive you may first want to call the monument's Winter Road Condition hotline to hear about current road conditions. The number is 970-858-3617 ext. 402. The road condition report is updated when road status changes. As in previous winters, Colorado National Monument will maintain the east hill of Rim Rock Drive via a contract with Mesa County. The contract provides funding for the County to plow and sand Rim Rock Drive from the monument's east entrance to DS Road, thus providing year-round access to Glade Park. Although the east hill will remain open during winter snowstorms to provide access to and from Glade Park for residents, Colorado National Monument may temporarily close the upper section of Rim Rock Drive from DS Road to Independence Monument Overlook. Once the storm has subsided, the upper section of Rim Rock Drive will be plowed, sanded, cleared and reopened within 24 hours. These temporary closures during active storms will make clearing the road safer for plow drivers and visitors. When visiting the monument during winter, people are reminded to stay away from cliff edges and pay attention to footing and environmental factors such as wind, or rocks slippery from rain or snow. More information and winter safety tips are available in the visitor center, open daily except December 25. Visitor center hours through the end of November are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Beginning December 1, visitor center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through mid-March. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015