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Plowing to open Trail Ridge Road for the season begins in mid-April. It takes an average of 42 days to complete plowing operations. In 1995, it took 55 days to plow Trail Ridge Road.
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RMNP Guide
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 16:02 |
The Lily Lake Dam, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, has been rated a high-hazard dam by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Failure of the dam is not imminent, and park staff are evaluating long term solutions; considering two options to reduce the risk, either repairing or removing the dam. Until a long term solution is implemented, the dam will be regularly inspected and monitored, and a pump has been purchased to lower the lake level in the event of a significant weather event.
The Lily Lake Dam is situated at the headwaters of Fish Creek, which flows into Lake Estes in Estes Park. Fish Creek is about 5 miles in length and the elevation difference between Lily Lake and Lake Estes is about 1,500 feet. If the dam were to fail, the ensuing floodwaters could result in the loss of life and property along Fish Creek. Repairs are needed to the dam to reduce the hazard, or the dam could be removed and the area restored to natural conditions.
Lily Lake, located along Highway 7, has become a popular recreational area in Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake sits in a beautiful mountain setting, surrounded by an accessible trail. The lake is a popular fishing spot and is stocked with greenback cutthroat trout, a federally listed threatened species.
Park staff are seeking the public’s input on two long term alternatives. Both repairing and removing the dam would involve several steps. The estimated cost of repairing the dam is approximately $1.4 million, with additional annual costs to maintain and monitor the dam. The estimated cost of removing the dam would be approximately $150,000. If the dam is removed, the resulting lake would be about 14 acres in surface area and would contain about 39 acre feet of water. If the dam remains in place, the lake would be about 17 acres in surface area and contain about 75 acre feet of water.
To learn more about Lily Lake, the dam and possible consequences for both actions, please go to: www.nps.gov/romo/parkmgmt/lily_lake_dam.htm
If you have Internet access, the preferred method for submitting comments is to use the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/romo. From this site, select the Lily Lake Dam Project. Your comments can be submitted online.
You can also submit your comments in the following ways:
• By email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• By Mail: Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park,
Colorado 80517
• By Fax: (970) 586 -1397
• By Express Delivery: Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000
Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517
• Hand Delivery: Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters, 1000 Highway
36, Estes Park, Colorado or to Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain
National Park, 16018 Highway 34, Grand Lake, Colorado
Some possible questions to consider when conveying your comments:
1. Which alternative do you favor? Repair the dam or remove it?
2. Why did you choose the alternative that you favor?
3. What are the reasons why you did not choose the other alternative?
4. Do you have any concerns about the alternative you favor?
5. Have we overlooked something important that we should be aware of?
6. Are there any other ideas or observations you would like to share about
this project?
If you do not have internet access and would like a copy of the detailed information that is posted on the park’s website, please call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. Please note that comments should be received in writing by close of business on February 29, 2012.
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Thursday, 19 January 2012 11:27 |
The annual visitation for Rocky Mountain National Park in 2011 was approximately 3,335,862 people, only 1.3% less than the record set in 2000. Annual visitation in 2000 was the highest at 3,380,044, followed by 1999 with 3,366,253 visitors.
Gathering park visitation statistics is not an exact science. Counters and formulas are used to collect data at a variety of locations on the east and west sides of the park to assist in estimating park visitation. Longs Peak and Wild Basin area traffic counts were corrected in 2011, which has helped with the increase in visitation.
July is the most visited month in Rocky Mountain National Park, followed by August, September and June. October and May can also see many visitors but are very weather- dependent.
During 2012, Rocky Mountain National Park staff are conducting a person per vehicle study, and changing some sites where visitor estimates are calculated to improve data collection.
To find more specific information about park visitation please access the Rocky Mountain National Park visitor use reports on the National Park Service website, http://www.nature.nps.gov/stats/park.cfm Please choose 'Rocky Mountain NP,' then 'ROMO YTD Summary Report' and then the 'View Report' button. The total number of visitors is on the bottom line. |
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Monday, 14 November 2011 11:25 |
Extremely high winds and micro bursts on Saturday evening through early Sunday morning blew down numerous trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winds were estimated to be between 70 to 90 miles per hour with even stronger micro bursts. Many of the trees that blew down were not beetle killed trees, but were old, large ponderosa pines. Sprague Lake is temporarily closed as park staff continue to cut trees that have fallen on the access road leading to Sprague Lake from Bear Lake Road . Tuxedo Park, a picnic area located along Bear Lake Road, is also closed due to numerous fallen trees.
Park visitors should be mindful that falling trees are an ever-present hazard. When traveling or camping in the forest, trees can fall without warning. Be particularly watchful when it's windy, or following a snowstorm when branches are heavy with snow. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 14 November 2011 12:04 |
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Friday, 18 November 2011 12:30 |
Due to ongoing hazard tree mitigation from last weekend's storm, the Sprague Lake parking area and the trail around the lake will be closed to the public for safety reasons until further notice. The Tuxedo Park picnic area, along Bear Lake Road, also remains closed. Sprague Lake is a popular area for visitors, and park staff will continue to work to get the area reopened as soon as it can be done safely. Visitors who may access this area from trails leading from the Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge area and the Glacier Basin Campground will also need to adhere to the closure notices as they approach the Sprague Lake area.
Extremely high winds this past weekend blew down numerous trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winds were estimated to be between 70 to 90 miles per hour. Many of the trees that blew down were not beetle killed trees, but were old, large ponderosa pines.
Park visitors should be mindful that falling trees are an ever-present hazard. When traveling or camping in the forest, trees can fall without warning. Be particularly watchful when it's windy, or following a snowstorm when branches are heavy with snow.
Visitors are encouraged to stop at a park visitor center, call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206 or access the park’s website www.nps.gov/romo to get the current status of these closures. |
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Thursday, 27 October 2011 16:33 |
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Today, Thursday, October 27, 2011, Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season to through travel. Since Saturday, October 22, Trail Ridge Road has been closed due to consistent winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet.
Trail Ridge Road, one of the most impressive alpine highways in the United States, is the highest continuous paved road in America and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. The road connects the park’s gateway communities of Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west. The road is currently closed at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side and Many Parks Curve on the east side.
According to park superintendent Vaughn Baker, “After yesterday’s significant snowfall and with the forecast for periodic storms at high elevations accompanied by wind and ice, we have officially closed Trail Ridge Road for the season. The snow will continue to blow and drift at higher elevations, making snow clearing operations and driving conditions extremely hazardous. During the winter season, weather permitting, we will keep Trail Ridge Road open to Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and to the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.”
The average winter closure dates for Trail Ridge Road have been October 23. Although often times the road closes earlier and does not reopen, the previous ten year’s official closure dates are: October 29, 2010, October 21, 2009, November 6, 2008, October 22, 2007, October 23, 2006, November 4, 2005, October 25, 2004, November 6, 2003, November 1, 2002 and October 18, 2001. The central portion of Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on June 6. Due to the most snow seen in late spring in over thirty years, this was the latest the road had opened in almost forty years.
Old Fall River Road officially closed for the season on October 14, 2011. Old Fall River Road is an unpaved road that travels from Endovalley picnic area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin. Due to the road’s narrow nature, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one way only.
Both roads have reverted to trail status; therefore bicycles and dogs are not permitted. For current road conditions and other park information, please call (970) 586-1206. |
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