Snowplows struggling against the weather on Trail Ridge Road on June 23, 2019/NPS

Heavy snow, gusting winds, and below freezing temperatures continue to hamper efforts to open Trail Ridge Road across the roof of Rocky Mountain National Park to wheeled traffic.

"Trail Ridge Road closed Friday afternoon and has remained closed. Rangers and park snowplow operators encountered 1 to 5 foot drifts over the weekend. Overnight temperatures this past weekend were in the 20s," park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said Monday in an email. "On Sunday, park snowplow operators were able to plow to Lava Cliffs (12,080' elevation). After reaching Lava Cliffs, they turned around in 50 mph winds, with heavy snow and major drifting. Due to conditions, they had to plow their way back down to Forest Canyon."

Every year, Rocky Mountain National Park snowplow operators begin plowing Trail Ridge Road in mid-April. Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet near the Alpine Visitor Center. Plow operators normally encounter drifts from 18 to 22 feet and are accustomed to plowing the same section of road over and over.

Trail Ridge Road was completed in 1932, and the earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943.

Snowplow working on June 23, 2019, near Rock Cut in Rocky Mountain National Park/NPS