Delayed Opening For Old Fall River Road In Rocky Mountain National Park

Old Fall River Road, which normally opens to vehicles by the Fourth of July holiday weekend, is anticipated to open on Saturday, July 13, if weather and conditions allow. Winter conditions at higher elevations in the park, as recently as June 23, have delayed the snow clearing and maintenance of Old Fall River Road. The road is currently closed to all uses, including bicycles and pedestrians Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and open Saturday, Sunday and Monday to bicycles and pedestrians. This schedule will continue until the road opens to vehicles.

Although the trail leading to Chapin/Chiquita/Ypsilon will not be accessible until at least the road opens, hikers will still have access to Chasm Falls during the schedule mentioned above.

There are limited long term records of the opening dates of Old Fall River Road prior to 1985. In 2011, after the heaviest late spring snow seen in decades, the opening was delayed until July 30. That was the latest the road had opened in 26 years. Old Fall River Road received significant damage during the historic flood of 2013 and reopened in July of 2015.

Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which travels from Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one-way only. Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited on the road.

Old Fall River Road is scheduled to close to vehicles for the season on October 7, 2019.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
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HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Warren Gulch Trail closes temporarily for safety concerns

Due to imminent safety concerns and private landowner conflicts, Warren Gulch Trail on the Arapaho National Forest is temporarily closed to all use. District staff are scouting potential alternative routes for the lower portion of the trail and looking for partners interested in participating in a reroute project.

The historic Warren Gulch Trail is a 4.3-mile National Forest System trail on the Clear Creek Ranger District that has been in existence since at least the 1930s. The trail begins near Echo Mountain on Colo. Highway 103, heads north, and then runs steeply downhill. The lower third of the trail crosses several private claims with multiple owners, terminating near Idaho Springs.

Felled trees now block the trail on portions of private land at the bottom of the hill, which is used predominately by mountain bikers riding at high speeds. These safety threats cannot be cleared due to easement issues. As mountain bikers are unlikely to turn around at the steep downhill section that borders the private property, the entire trail will be closed until a solution is identified.

The Forest Service is seeking opportunities to relocate the trail to avoid private landowner conflicts. Environmental analysis will need to be completed and a new route will need to be constructed prior to the trail reopening.

“The goal is for the new trail to be more sustainable and enjoyable for users,” said District Ranger Scott Haas. “Part of making that successful will be engaging in partnerships to help implement the new trail connection. In the meantime we ask users to please respect the closure for their own safety and to avoid conflicts with private landowners.”

If all goes smoothly with route-finding and environmental analysis, Haas said he would hope to have the new trail opened by fall 2020.

See the Warren Gulch Closure Order and Map.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Parking Lot Closed Thursday, June 27th / Glacier Gorge Trailhead Parking Lot Closed June 26th For Pavement Preservation Work

Beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, June 27 through 7 p.m. the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Parking Area and Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses for a pavement preservation project. Visitors entering the park from the east side on June 27, are encouraged to visit the Fall River Visitor Center that day.

Beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, through 7 a.m. Thursday, June 27, the Glacier Gorge Trailhead Parking area along Bear Lake Road will be closed to all uses. On this day park shuttle buses will not be dropping off or picking up visitors at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead shuttle stop. All other bus stops in the Bear Lake corridor will be operational.

Beginning Monday, July 22, not on June 10 as was originally reported, staging for the pavement preservation project will take place in the Park & Ride lot along the Bear Lake Road corridor. The staging area will fill approximately 100 parking spaces, making these unavailable to the public, until the fall.

Due to limited parking, park visitors are encouraged to board the Hiker Shuttle. This shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride on Bear Lake Road. Expect wait times to board the shuttles.

This important project is critical for the long term protection of park roads and parking areas. Due to the elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park and temperatures, resurfacing pavement projects can only take place in the summer. Work will not take place during the weekends or holidays.

Other areas of the park that will be impacted throughout the summer by this ongoing pavement preservation project include the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Parking Lot, Bierstadt Lake Parking Lot, Alluvial Fan Parking Lot, Lawn Lake Parking Lot, Sheep Lakes Parking Lot, Horseshoe Park Overlook, Many Parks Curve Parking Areas, Rainbow Curve Parking Area, Forest Canyon Overlook Parking Area, Rock Cut Parking Area, Lava Cliffs Parking Area, Lumpy Ridge Access Road and numerous smaller parking areas and overlooks. Work will also take place on Bear Lake Road and sections of Trail Ridge Road. Park visitors should expect rolling delays of up to 20 minutes during road work. When specific work dates are scheduled for other areas, this information will be disseminated.

For a list of hikes and trailheads impacted by each of the areas listed above, please click here.

For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Be Aware Of Swift Water Danger When Recreating In Rocky Mountain National Park

As temperatures increase and thunderstorms occur, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park should be aware that mountain streams can be dangerous especially in late spring and early summer. Don’t underestimate the power of water.

Park visitors are reminded to remain back from the banks of streams and rivers. Rocks at streamside are often slippery. Water is extremely cold and can be deceivingly deep. Water levels generally rise in the afternoon and follow thunderstorms. Always provide proper supervision for children, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water. Powerful currents can quickly pull a person underwater.

Due to rapid snow melt, area trails and bridges may become impassable due to rising water levels. If you encounter impassable areas, be prepared to back track to alternate hiking routes.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

American Trails Video: Building Trail Culture

American Trails recently published the presentation (below), which was given by Amy Camp during this years' International Trails Symposium. Ms. Camp's presentation discussed "Building Trail Culture" in communities across America. As trails in our national parks and forests become increasingly overcrowded (which I discussed in detail in my book), utilization of local trails will become more important as hiking participation rates continue to grow. Here's a synopsis of the presentation:

Trail communities around North America have come to appreciate (and clamor for) the economic benefits of trails. In fact, a model for community development—“trail towns”—has emerged to aid struggling communities in leveraging their trails. But we’ve got it mostly wrong. While economic gain contributes to community vitality, too heavy of a focus on any one trail benefit lacks balance…and heart. Those places that value trails simply for the dollars brought into town miss out on the “trail magic” that can touch communities. If we flip our focus from visitor transactions to truly engaging both visitors and locals, culture shift is possible. One concrete way of doing so is through programming immersive, memorable, joyful trail experiences. This talk will share programming examples and make a case for how these connections can transform communities from a culture of indifference to a culture of “yes,” of hospitality, of inclusion, and stewardship.

Building Trail Culture-Amy Camp from American Trails on Vimeo.




Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking