Rocky Mountain National Park announces more openings after 30,000 acres burned

Additional areas in Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen Saturday after the park closed on Oct. 22 due to tens of thousands of burned acres from the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires.

Beginning Saturday, U.S. 36 past the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to Deer Ridge Junction will reopen, including the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station.

On the east side of the park, Trail Ridge Road will reopen to Many Parks Curve. On the west side, the East Inlet Trail and the East Shore Trail will reopen.

The west side of the park will remain closed past the Grand Lake Entrance for ongoing safety assessments. The North Inlet Trail and the Sun Valley Trail also remain closed.

Closed areas on the east side include Bear Lake Road, Upper Beaver Meadows Road, the North Boundary Trail, the North Fork Trail, Mummy Pass, Stormy Pass, Commanche Peak and Mirror Lake Trails.

Park staff will continue to assess these areas for fire activity, safety and downed trees.

RMNP reopened areas last week, including the Old Fall River Road, Wild Basin, Longs Peak, Lily Lake, Twin Sisters, Lumpy Ridge and U.S. 34 through the Fall River Entrance to Many Parks Curve and Endovalley Road.

The Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires have burned approximately 30,000 acres, or 9%, of the park, officials said Friday. This is the most fire damage in the park’s history.

RMNP officials announced the loss of several historical structures last week, including the park’s Trail and Tack Barn, the Grand Lake Entrance station office, Onahu Lodge and the Green Mountain cabins.

RMNP’s non-profit partner, The Rocky Mountain Conservancy, is accepting donations to support the park’s restoration efforts at rmconservancy.org/join-or-give/donate/.

Officials said park visitors should be aware of smoke, wind, weather and fire conditions.



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