Avalanche
On Friday evening, an avalanche struck Loveland Pass, Colorado, sweeping a pickup truck off U.S. Highway 6. The incident occurred around 7:15 PM in an area known as Seven Sister 6, shortly after Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials had initiated a precautionary closure due to rising avalanche danger.
The driver, who was alone in the vehicle at the time, escaped without serious injury. Multiple agencies, including CDOT, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), the Clear Creek County Sheriff, the Summit County Sheriff, the Summit Rescue Group, and the Alpine Rescue Team, responded to the scene.
“Due to adverse conditions and rising avalanche danger, CDOT maintenance personnel and CAIC forecasters decided to close US Highway 6 over Loveland Pass. The highway was closed at 6:30PM, and CDOT maintenance crews were in the process of helping motorists off the pass. At approximately 7:15PM a natural avalanche released in an avalanche path known as Seven Sister 6, and swept a pickup truck off the road. One person was in the vehicle at the time. They were not seriously injured. CDOT, CAIC, Clear Creek County Sheriff, Summit County Sheriff, Summit Rescue Group, and Alpine Rescue Team responded to the accident. We will release a final report in the next week.”
– CAIC preliminary report
CDOT maintenance crews were escorting motorists off the pass when the avalanche struck. The slide, estimated to be 165 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet deep, pushed the vehicle approximately 165 feet over the edge..
As of Saturday morning, Loveland Pass remained closed in both directions. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Sherri Mendez indicated that the closure might extend throughout Saturday to allow CDOT to complete maintenance operations and clear avalanche debris.
The recent snowfall and forecasted precipitation have significantly increased the risk of avalanches across Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. CAIC currently rates the Loveland Pass area as four out of five for high avalanche danger. In the past week, there have been 11 human-triggered avalanches reported in Colorado.
Loveland Ski Area has seen 10″ of fresh snow in the last 48 hours.
Loveland Pass is a high-elevation mountain pass at 11,990 feet approximately 60 miles west of Denver on the Continental Divide. This historic route, now part of U.S. Highway 6, offers scenic views and access to outdoor recreation. Situated near Interstate-70, Loveland Pass is next to Loveland Ski Area on its east side and Arapahoe Basin on its west side. The pass is a popular destination for backcountry skiers and those seeking to bypass the Eisenhower Tunnel.
Authorities advise travelers to expect heavy traffic and delays on alternative routes to and from central Colorado mountain areas. A final report on the incident will be released within the week.
