Those who’ve visited Rocky Mountain National Park in the past are plenty familiar with Trail Ridge Road, the high altitude highway that runs the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s east side and Grand Lake on the west.
The road easily makes for one of the most stunning drives in the entire state, with millions of visitors making their way over the route every year. But to make sure that tourists can enjoy the drive, the Rocky Mountain National Park road crew puts in a ton of work headed into the summer. Sometimes that work can seem a bit futile, especially with Colorado’s unpredictable spring weather.
Rocky Mountain National Park shared this video showing the difference between May 7 and May 15 on the road. May 7 was a gorgeous sunny day. The road was looking clear and work was going strong. But things flipped on May 15 with a full blown whiteout that made the work a bit harder for the road crew.
Right now Trail Ridge Road is open on the east side of the park to Rainbow Curve and to the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park. An opening date for the rest of the road has not been set. Typically it opens to thru travel in late May, but it all depends on weather and road conditions.
Those interested in hiking, walking, biking, or walking leashed dogs on Trail Ridge Road are allowed to travel past vehicle closure points at this point of the season, but they must follow the posted orange “Road Closed to All Traffic” signs.
