Washout on the Old Fall River Road caused by last September's flooding/NPS

Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, which took a severe hit when storms rolled through last September, will be closed beginning Monday to all users so major repairs can begin.

The road has been closed since last September to vehicles and bicycles but pedestrians and hikers had been allowed on the road. All other roads in Rocky Mountain National Park are open.

Park officials say the closure area on Old Fall River Road will extend from the road west of the Lawn Lake Trailhead parking area to the Alpine Visitor Center. This closure includes the Alluvial Fan, and the east and west Alluvial Fan parking areas. The closure extends 200 feet from the center line to both sides of the road corridor. This closure does not include the Fall River waterway and bank. Areas affected by this closure may be adjusted as construction work proceeds.

Old Fall River Road is a historic dirt road built between 1913 and 1920. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way only and normally opens from the fourth of July to early October. It follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin's south face.

Repair work from flood damages has been completed in many areas of the park. Work is ongoing on some backcountry bridges and trails.