Early Season Mountain Snow Forces Temporary Closure of Trail Ridge Road
Rocky Mountain National Park closed Trail Ridge Road to through traffic September 22 at 6 p.m. due to snow and freezing temperatures, marking an unusually early seasonal closure for the high-elevation route that connects Northern Colorado to the park's western areas.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office announced the closure in a Facebook post, advising residents heading into the mountains to check weather and road conditions before traveling. The National Weather Service Denver/Boulder office warned that winter weather impacts were possible across higher mountain passes through Tuesday.
Trail Ridge Road typically remains open until mid- to late October, with closures in recent years occurring between October 18 and October 25, according to National Park Service records. The September 22 closure represents a departure from historical patterns and reflects significant early season mountain weather affecting the Continental Divide.
The road reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet and maintains over 11 miles above 11,500 feet, making it the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Its extreme elevation and exposed terrain across alpine tundra create heightened susceptibility to rapid weather changes and hazardous driving conditions.
When Trail Ridge Road closes, Northern Colorado residents lose direct access between Estes Park and Grand Lake, forcing lengthy detours. The typical 1.5-hour drive becomes a 3.5- to 4-hour journey via southern routes through Berthoud Pass and US Highway 40, more than doubling travel time to western park areas.
The National Park Service uses specific safety criteria including snow and ice accumulations, high winds, poor visibility, and dangerously low temperatures to determine closure timing. Road maintenance crews evaluate actual pavement conditions and forecast data to make operational decisions about public safety.
Early season mountain snow in late September typically affects hiking trails above 9,000 feet elevation, creating snowpacked or icy conditions that require winter equipment such as snowshoes or microspikes for safe travel. Higher elevation camping areas often become inaccessible due to snow depth and road closures.
The National Weather Service forecast warned of mountain snow and potential winter weather impacts across higher mountain passes, with travelers advised to check cotrip.org for current road conditions throughout Colorado.
Rocky Mountain National Park maintains an information line at 970-586-1222 with real-time Trail Ridge Road status updates. The park typically requires 30 to 40 days of snow removal work each spring before reopening the route, usually in late May.
The temporary closure affects only through traffic crossing the Continental Divide. Lower elevation areas of Rocky Mountain National Park remain accessible, including Bear Lake Road and eastern park entrances near Estes Park.