June 03, 2020 - 3:38 PM
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. - Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is set to open Thursday.
Park officials say visitors should be prepared for icy conditions and any temporary closures required due to weather conditions.
The scenic road is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 metres). It connects Estes Park on the east side of the mountains with Grand Lake on the west.
The Trail Ridge Store will tentatively open June 15, and the Alpine Visitor Center is expected to be opened at the end of June.
A timed entry system will be used starting Thursday to limit the number of park visitors in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Reservations are available to enter the park from Thursday through July 31.
On Monday, state transportation officials opened another scenic highway that takes motorists over Independence Pass near Aspen.
Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass typically reopen for the summer around Memorial Day depending on how much snow there is to clear.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020