Endovalley Road Reopens In Rocky Mountain National Park | Old Fall River Road To Open Next July

Roughly one-half mile of the Endovalley Road has reopened to vehicles in Rocky Mountain National Park. This area, along with Old Fall River Road, suffered extensive damages during last year's flood. Currently, there is no trail access in the Alluvial Fan area from either the east or west parking areas as those trails were destroyed. If walking or hiking off road or trail in flood-damaged areas use caution and check area signs, the park website, or ask a ranger for information and safety tips.

Endovalley Road is closed to vehicles past the west Alluvial Fan parking lot. Until October 31, leashed pets and bikes are allowed past this point and can continue up Old Fall River Road on the roadway only. Visitors walking or biking should use caution as the road may be icy and snow-covered at higher elevations. Beginning November 1, leashed pets and bikes will only be allowed from the west Alluvial Fan parking lot to the gate at the base of Old Fall River Road.

Old Fall River Road is expected to open to vehicles in the summer of 2015. Normally the road is open from the fourth of July to early October. Old Fall River Road is a historic dirt road built between 1913 and 1920. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way. It follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin's south face.

The Federal Highways Administration funded this project through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Old Fall River Road to Close to All Uses for Flood Damage Repairs

On Monday, July 28, Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will close to all uses including pedestrians and hikers, as major repair work begins on the road and the Alluvial Fan bridge. Old Fall River Road received significant damages during the September 2013 flood. The road has been closed since last September to vehicles and bicycles, but pedestrians and hikers have been allowed on the road. All other roads in Rocky Mountain National Park are open.

The closure area on Old Fall River Road will extend from the road west of the Lawn Lake Trailhead parking area to the Alpine Visitor Center. This closure includes the Alluvial Fan, and the east and west Alluvial Fan parking areas. The closure extends 200 feet from the center line to both sides of the road corridor. This closure does not include the Fall River waterway and bank. Areas affected by this closure may be adjusted as construction work proceeds.

Old Fall River Road is a historic dirt road built between 1913 and 1920. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way only and normally opens from the fourth of July to early October. It follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin's south face.

Repair work from flood damages has been completed in many areas of the park. Work is ongoing on some backcountry bridges and trails. For more detailed information and updates about flood impacts in Rocky Mountain National Park please visit the park's website or call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Money allocated to fix flood-damaged roads in RMNP

Mark Udall, chairman of the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, welcomed the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision yesterday to allocate $3.5 million to repair roads in Rocky Mountain National Park damaged by the September 2013 flood. The funds, allocated through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program, will help fund permanent repairs to Old Fall River Road and for the Alluvial Fan area, and ensure visitors have a safe way to experience our national park heritage.

Udall surveyed roads damaged by the flooding inside Rocky Mountain National Park in November 2013.

"As chairman of the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, I understand firsthand how Rocky Mountain National Park is an economic driver for Estes Park and communities in Larimer and Grand counties. This important investment will ensure that the park is able to rebuild and continue to support mountain communities this year and into the future," Udall said. "I have been proud to lead the effort to help Colorado rebuild smarter and stronger in the wake of the September 2013 flood. These new funds will help Colorado continue down the road to full recovery."

During the historic storm of September 9th thru September 15th, the town of Estes Park received 9.43 inches of rain, while a rain gauge just south of Marys Lake reported 11.54 inches of rain.



Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

Flood Closes Old Fall River Road Through 2014

Rocky Mountain National Park received significant damages on bridges, roads and trails in the historic floods that occurred in September. However, damages in the park were relatively minor in comparison to the disastrous flooding that downstream communities east of the park experienced. The west side of the park was largely unaffected by the storm with flooding occurring only east of the Continental Divide.

Damages on Old Fall River Road are extensive and the road will remain closed to vehicles through 2014. Old Fall River Road is a historic dirt road built between 1913 and 1920. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way only and normally opens from the fourth of July to early October. It follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin's south face. It is unknown at this time whether hikers and bicyclists will be allowed on the road next year. Park staff are working with the Federal Highway Administration on assessments of the Alluvial Fan area and Old Fall River Road. Cost estimates and design concepts are still being determined.

Repair work has been completed in the Wild Basin parking lot, the Twin Sisters Road, and is nearing completion on the McGraw Ranch Bridge and the Aspenglen Bridge.

Known damage to trails and pedestrian access are mainly in the Fall River, Lumpy Ridge, Bear Lake, Northfork, Twin Sisters and Wild Basin areas. Some trails are closed to stock use.

Due to the flood, backcountry travelers may encounter different conditions than they have experienced in the past. Visitors may find missing foot bridges, missing trail segments, uneven trail surfaces, unstable slopes, falling trees due to soil moisture, rutted trails, damaged water bars and steps, difficult water crossings, and missing directional signs. Visitors should be prepared. Most of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated wilderness, where self-reliance, discovery and adventure are expected.

The next steps will be to assess at what level park staff will "repair" damaged trails. The flood was a natural event which will be taken in to consideration as park staff move forward in determining what repairs should be made.

For more detailed information about flood impacts to trails please visit the park's website, www.nps.gov/romo or call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

What it's like to travel on Old Fall River Road

Most people who venture to the alpine portions of Rocky Mountain National Park usually take Trail Ridge Road. However, the original road over the Continental Divide still exists. This one-way dirt road, known as Old Fall River Road, still takes park visitors to the Alpine Visitor Center, which sits at the lofty elevation of 11,796 feet above sea level.

Opened in 1920, Old Fall River Road was the first auto route in Rocky Mountain National Park that offered access to the park's high country, and was the only road into the park's interior until Trail Ridge Road opened in 1932. The historic 11-mile road, once an Indian path, leads travelers from Horseshoe Park to Fall River Pass. Along the way you'll have access to Chasm Falls, as well as the trails leading to Mt. Chapin, Mt. Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain.

If you've never taken the road and wondered what it was like, or worried that it might be too "scary", this high-speed video shows what you'll experience along the entire route:




Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Rocky Mountain Trail Updates

Rocky Mountain National Park officials made several announcements on their Facebook page this afternoon, some concerning hiking trails in the park:

* On the west side of RMNP, the Lower Tonahutu Trail, Green Mountain Trail and Onahu Trail leading up to Big Meadows have reopened for day use only. The trails had been closed since June 11th as a result of the Big Meadows Fire. The upper Tonahutu Trail still remains closed.

* The bridge near Calypso Cascades has reopened.

* Old Fall River Road is currently closed to all uses from top and bottom thru July 2. Starting July 3 it will be open for the season to vehicles. The Chasm Falls Trail will also reopen that day.

* Flowers are starting to bloom on the tundra! Elk are moving to higher elevations. Baby animals are showing up; be sure to leave them alone and give the moms plenty of space.

* Smoke can happen, either from the Big Meadows Fire or other western fires, depending on atmospheric conditions.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Old Fall River Road Will Close For Major Work June 17 Through July 2

The Historic Old Fall River Road, the popular historic one-way dirt road from the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park to the Alpine Visitor Center, was damaged by avalanches during the spring of 2011. The project to repair this road will start on Monday, June 17th. Old Fall River Road will be closed completely to all uses, 24-hours/day, from June 17 through July 2. Closure signs will be placed at the Alpine Visitor Center and the gate at Endovalley. The project involves heavy equipment and moving large rocks to repair the retaining wall. Therefore, it is necessary to close the area to public use including hiking and cycling during this period.

For additional information on Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com