Despite late spring snow storms, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park opened on schedule Friday and Independence Pass near Aspen opened on schedule Thursday.
Trail Ridge Road
RMNP spokeswoman Kyle Patterson says night closures of the Trail Ridge Road are likely due to heavy melting on the road during the day and freezing temperatures overnight.
National Park Service crews worked overtime this past week to dig out Trail Ridge Road and clear snow and ice.
The Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store will not open until next week at the earliest.
Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend. Last year the road opened nearly two weeks early.
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet and connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 17.
Independence Pass
The Colorado Department of Transportation opened Independence Pass up to traffic for the season Thursday.
The pass typically opens for Memorial Day weekend. Earlier this month, CDOT officials predicted an on time opening of the 12,095 foot long pass.
Last year the pass opened nearly two weeks early after a mild winter.
Other Mountain Passes
The Colorado Department of Transportation has also announced that Kebler Pass between Gunnison and Somerset has opened for the season.
CDOT crews work to clear SH 5 Mt Evans for a full opening in time for the Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. pic.twitter.com/JskBGHVUcz
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) May 9, 2013
The DOT reports Mount Evans Road in Clear Creek County from Echo Lake to the summit is on schedule to also open Friday.
