Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park
Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season Thursday.
Popular destinations including Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park,
Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley remain
open, according to a release from Rocky Mountain National Park.
The release said that with 11 miles of the road above 11,500
feet, limited guardrails and no shoulder, winter conditions require this road
to close seasonally. Weather permitting, the road will remain open to Many
Parks Curve on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side.
The road typically reopens the last week in May, but this year it was not until June 5 because of multiple May snowstorms.
Old Fall River Road closed for the season Oct. 7. Both Trail
Ridge Road and Old Fall River road will remain open to bicycles and leashed
pets until Dec. 1 to reopen April 1, except during road maintenance and emergency
closures.
According to the release, cyclists and pet owners may utilize the roads at their own risk. After Dec. 1, the roads will revert to “winter trail status,” meaning bicycles and pets will no longer be permitted, but pedestrians can continue to use the trails.