Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, Opened Temporarily for Downhill Traffic Before Closing Again

SnowBrains | | Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
LCC
Roads are cleared in most areas, but avalanche mitigation is ongoing, making travel unsafe. | Picture: UDOT Cottonwood Twitter Account

Utah Department of Transportation ‘UDOT’ opened State Route 210 today, April 7, 2023, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for downhill travel before closing it again. It was the first time since Monday that people could leave Alta and Snowbird ski areas following the road closure.

The Little Cottonwood Canyon area has seen massive snowfalls this week, and roads have been closed since Monday. The area has experienced approximately 30 avalanche slides, many filled with debris from trees being taken down by the force of the avalanches. Little Cottonwood Canyon roads are currently closed, and there is no ETO for an opening. The State Route 210 was not open for uphill travel, and UDOT advises people not to travel.

Avalanche debris
Ongoing clearing of debris at Little Cottonwood Canyon. | Picture: UDOT Cottonwood Twitter Account

Avalanche mitigation and clearing of existing slides and debris along State Route 210 is ongoing. Temperatures are rising during the day, and UDOT is monitoring conditions closely and will reevaluate an ETO time this afternoon/early evening. Please monitor @UDOTcottonwoods for updates.

Utah Avalanche Center lists the region as being in considerable avalanche danger, and many backcountry areas are subject to closure for avalanche mitigation measures. Currently, Little Cottonwood Canyon Full North Side is closed for today, April 7, 2023, from midnight to 7:00 p.m. Gate B to Grizzly. Please monitor all closures on @UACwasatch and @utavy. UDOT uses explosives and artillery to trigger avalanches that threaten public roads, so please respect closures and steer clear of the area.

LCC
Monitor either the UDOT website or social media for updates on closed areas. | Picture: UDOT Cottonwood Twitter Account

Related Articles

Got an opinion? Let us know...