Large Avalanches Close Independence Pass & Loveland Pass in Colorado

Two separate large avalanches closed Independence Pass and Loveland Pass in Colorado last week.  The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has reported 26 avalanches in Colorado last week including 7 avalanches on Loveland Pass in the past week and 2 avalanches on Loveland Pass today, June 1st, 2015.

Yesterday afternoon, a large avalanche came down onto Loveland Pass and closed both lanes.  Loveland Pass reopened late last night.  At least one car was trapped in the snow.

Last Thursday, a large avalanche ran onto Highway 82 on the Leadville side of Independence Pass closing the road in both directions for 90 minutes.  No vehicles were caught in the slide.

You’d think that by the end of May, avalanche closing roads in Colorado would be a thing of the past.  Not this year.  Above average snowfall in May has made for great skiing and for significant avalanche activity.

“It takes special weather conditions to do that (create avalanches), the sun and then of course the rain that we have helps to, it packs it down and then lubricates it and then makes it slide,” said CDOT employee Bob Hammond

In April, 2013, 5 snowboarders were killed in a huge avalanche on Loveland Pass.  Stay viligent out there.