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Mountain pass closes, adding 3 hours to trip between neighboring towns in Colorado

By March 19, 2020 | updated 6 years ago

Mountain pass closes, adding 3 hours to trip between neighboring towns in Colorado
Snowy and visibility conditions stick on US-550 Thursday morning, captured at mile 76.9. Photo Credit: CDOT Traffic Camera at 10:14 AM.

Heads up, backcountry riders! While many of Colorado’s ski resorts have ended their winter seasons early in response to the coronavirus outbreak, winter weather is also cutting off access to some of the backcountry areas in the state.

US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass closed on Thursday due to high avalanche danger and adverse conditions due to heavy snow, high winds, and low visibility. Currently, there is no estimated time of opening the pass. Travelers are advised to take an alternate route from Ouray to Silverton through Telluride, turning a 45 minute drive into a 4 hour drive, adding nearly 200 miles to the journey.

Closures for avalanche mitigation efforts are also expected for Thursday afternoon, including the following mountain highways:

  • 12:00 PM: US 6 Loveland Pass
  • 3:00 PM: US 40 Berthoud Pass
  • 3:00 PM: Eisenhower Tunnel: West Loop Road, I-70 Whistler

    • US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass, known as the Million Dollar Highway, is located in southwest Colorado. The major mountain highway provides a scenic connection between the mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray. The combination of the high altitude, deadly drop-offs, (11,018 feet) and heavy snow makes the highway prone to avalanche danger. It becomes one of the more dangerous roads in the state when winter weather hits.

    The central and north-central mountains will see heavy snow spreading from the north to east, with accumulations of up to 18 inches in some places from Thursday to Friday. In addition to multiple winter storm warnings issued across parts of the state, a blizzard warning will remain in effect until 6:00 AM Friday fo areas surrounding the central and north-central plains.

    The National Weather Service says the “combination of treacherous road conditions and poor visibility will result in difficult to impossible travel.” Hazardous driving conditions are expected throughout parts of the state, especially over Cameron Pass, Berthoud Pass, I-70, US 285 mountain corridors, I-25 and I-76.

    Pikes Peak Highway has also closed amid a snowstorm bearing down on the Pikes Peak region, including Colorado Springs.

    Check CDOT’s Facebook, Twitter (@coloradodot) or  cotrip.org for closures and delays on highways and roads across Colorado.

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    Breanna Sneeringer

    Reporter

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