ESTES PARK, Colo. — Trail Ridge Road was closed Friday — but not because of the weather.
The high-altitude road through Rocky Mountain National Park temporarily closed Friday morning for the removal of a vehicle that was off road from an incident Thursday night.
About 8:50 p.m., RMNP received a report of a vehicle off Trail Ridge Road. A 54-year-old man from Florida was the only occupant of the small SUV, which came to rest about 500 feet down a steep slope, RMNP said in a news release.
The driver walked up from the vehicle with help from park staff and the Estes Valley Protection District and was taken out of the park by ambulance.
Trail Ridge Road was closed at Alpine Visitor Center and Lava Cliffs, according to park officials. Old Fall River Road remained open for westbound traffic only.
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers posted an update on the park's official Twitter page saying that the road was back open around 1 p.m.
#RMNP Trail Ridge Road has reopened. jr
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. It climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
#RMNP Trail Ridge Road is temporarily closed at Alpine Visitor Center and Lava Cliffs for the removal of a vehicle which was off road from last night’s incident. jr
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The road has few guardrails and no shoulders, and 11 miles of it are above 11,500 feet. In the winter, drifting snow, strong winds and below-freezing temperatures create hazardous driving conditions.
For an updated recorded status line of Trail Ridge Road, call 970-586-1222.
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