Friday, September 20, 2013

Timber Creek Campground on the West Side of RMNP Reopens

Rocky Mountain National Park continues to incrementally reopen. All backcountry trails on the WEST side of the park are open, but, for day use only at this time. Timber Creek Campground was scheduled to open this morning. For now, no camping fee will be charged.

Trail Ridge Road is open to both east and west bound visitor traffic and the communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park are open and welcoming visitors. Because weather conditions may change rapidly, particularly in spring and fall, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to call the park's Trail Ridge Road recorded status line at 970-586-1222. Highway 7 is now open to all traffic, so commercial traffic is once again prohibited on Trail Ridge Road.

Those wishing to access Rocky Mountain National Park from the east should leave Interstate 70 at exit 243, follow State Highway 119 north from the Blackhawk area to Nederland. Then follow State Highway 72 to Highway 7. Follow Highway 7 north to Estes Park. A GPS may not show this route, so consider using a paper map.

On the east side of the park, staff continues to examine the condition of facilities and trails to determine which areas can be reopened. Debris is being removed and facilities cleaned where needed. A Facilities Management team is assessing the scope and scale of the flood damage and risk to park facilities, roads, and infrastructure as an initial step in determining long-term repair and rehabilitation needs.

If you are coming from the west, take Highway 34 north from Granby to Grand Lake where you will enter the park via Trail Ridge Road. The Alpine Visitor Center, located at 11,796 feet, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For Rocky Mountain National Park information, call the Information Office at 970-586-1206.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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