Trail Ridge Road Opening Is Earliest In History
Low Snowpack Prompts Park Officials To Open Three Weeks Ahead
POSTED: 1:22 p.m. MDT May 6, 2002
DENVER -- Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will open Tuesday, the earliest day it has opened ever, park officials announced Monday.
Low snowpack has prompted officials to open the nation's highest
paved road nearly three weeks ahead of schedule. The road, built
in 1932, normally opens over Memorial Day weekend.
Last year the road opened on May 25.
Officials have said the park's snowpack is about 30 to 40 percent of
average, this year after one of the drier winters on record.
Trail Ridge Road is now open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day,
weather permitting.
Because weather conditions may change rapidly, park visitors are encouraged to contact the park information office at (970) 586-1206 to receive current road conditions.
The Alpine Visitor Center, located along Trail Ridge Road, will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to heavy snow removal equipment working in the parking area.
Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
