RMNP winter access?

**xyz** · 01-05-2008, 08:34 PM

I'm looking to do some ski touring in the park this winter; I live on grand county side. What is the access like in winter? Where exactly is the road closure? From the closure point can I skin in and bag a peak for a day trip?

excuse the ignorance, i'm new to CO.

**Sponge McBragg** · 01-05-2008, 08:43 PM

When I lived in Granby way long time ago. I just drove to the end of the road where they stopped plowing at the bottom of that pass to estes. I dropped little cliffs a couple hundred yards in. Grab your topo and go.

**stihletto** · 01-05-2008, 11:28 PM

maybe ask iskibc or addimen? And are you in wp? If so, lets make some turns sometime.

**timstich** · 01-06-2008, 09:23 AM

Here's a link for you:

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...conditions.htm

From the link:

Trail Ridge Road: Closed for the season.

Trail Ridge Road rises above where trees can grow; the central eleven miles of this high route traverse open, windswept alpine tundra. This route provides some of the greatest mountain views available from roadside in this nation.

The lower portions of Trail Ridge Road are open year-round. The central part of Trail Ridge Road is generally open from late May through mid-October.

Old Fall River Road: Closed for the season.

Old Fall River Road is currently in winter trail status; hikers only are allowed. Cyclists and pets are not permitted.

Old Fall River Road is a steep, one-way, unpaved road. It is not suitable for RV's or low-clearance vehicles, but provides spectacular views for suitable passenger cars, trucks, or SUV's.

No vehicles with trailers or vehicles exceeding 25 feet in length are permitted on Old Fall River Road.

Bear Lake Road: Open

Bear Lake Road is open year-round.

Wild Basin Road: Closed at winter turnaround.

Upper Beaver Meadows Road: Closed for the season.

Hikers only, pets and bicycles not permitted.

Hollowell Park Road: Closed for the season.

Hikers only, pets and bicycles not permitted.

Endovalley Road: Closed for the season.

Hikers only, pets and bicycles not permitted.

Call 970-586-1206 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily for up-to-date roads status and conditions. For 24-hour recorded park information call 970-586-1333.

Updated at 8:39a.m. Friday,November 30, 2007.

**xyz** · 01-06-2008, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by stihletto

And are you in wp? If so, lets make some turns sometime.

lets do that. i live in fraser and have fri to sun off.

**timstich** · 01-06-2008, 08:45 PM

One more good source for all things RMNP is Eli Helmuth's site. He goes in the park all the time and adds updates on snow conditions frequently.

http://climbinglife.com/current-rmnp...-3rd-2008.html

**adimmen** · 01-06-2008, 10:16 PM

I hope you like long days because access is not easy unless you are looking to lap short pitches. The Estes side loads badly while the Grand County side tends to mellow and scoured.

**xyz** · 01-06-2008, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by timstich

One more good source for all things RMNP is Eli Helmuth's site. He goes in the park all the time and adds updates on snow conditions frequently.

http://climbinglife.com/current-rmnp...-3rd-2008.html

thanks..

**P_McPoser** · 01-06-2008, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by xyz

thanks..

shouldn't u be in bed? see u tomorrow.

**xyz** · 01-07-2008, 07:57 PM

I did some armchair recon today on google earth; some potentially interesting lines off Baker Mountain and Mount Stratus. A ~5+ mile skin is required from the highway on a hiking trail near the 'never summer ranch'; a Dynafit day for sure.

I'll need to do a real recon mission to find out if the area held any snow after the recent wind storm...or has anybody been in the region recently??