The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Saturday afternoon that Red Mountain Pass is likely to remain closed through Sunday.
“There is low visibility and blowing snow north of the summit,” said Lisa Schwantes, CDOT Region 5 spokeswoman and about 2:40 p.m. Saturday. “Crews have been unable to view and mitigate avalanche paths.”
The pass closed at about 7 p.m. Friday after an avalanche covered about 200 feet of U.S. Highway 550.
CDOT crews have reopened Lizard Head Pass on Colorado Highway 145 near Telluride, Schwantes said, after avalanche mitigation required on both sides of the pass.
Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160 was closed for avalanche mitigation early Saturday morning. Its road conditions are still reported as icy and snow-packed. Coal Bank and Molas passes between Durango and Silverton are reporting similar conditions.
“We also had to close Cumbres Pass on Colorado Highway 17 in the San Luis Valley,” Schwantes said, “because of blowing snow. That’s still closed and will remain closed until further notice.”
Drivers are encouraged to check cotrip.org for current road conditions before setting out.
While drivers worry about icy roads, skiers and snowboarders can’t wait to hit area slopes covered with fresh powder.
As of Saturday morning, Purgatory Resort had received 14 inches in the previous 24 hours and was reporting 36 inches midway. Lift 5 is scheduled to open Sunday.
Hesperus Ski Area, which opened for the season Saturday, reported 1 inch of snow in the past 24 hours and 5 inches in the past 48.
As of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Wolf Creek Ski Area reported 24 inches of snow from this storm, with 28 inches in the last 48 hours. Midway depth was 58 inches, and the area has received 101 inches of snow in the season to date.
abutler@durangoherald.com
