A slow moving storm cell caused extensive damage on the Trail Gulch Road the night of August 22nd
Heavy rain that triggered flash flooding caused extensive damage to two roads in the Shelf Road area on Thursday evening, August 22nd. Motorized travel on Cactus Cliff Road and Trail Gulch Road is not recommended at this time.
Trail Gulch Road, also referred to as BLM Road 5820, and Cactus Cliff Road sustained heavy damage. Motorized access to the area will be more difficult and nearly impassable to full-sized vehicles in sections, which could affect hunters this season.
Trail Gulch Road is located above the Shelf Road Climbing Area; however, the road damage will not impact climbing access. Cactus Cliff Road is an administrative road, which provides access to a vault toilet in the climbing area and alterative access to nearby private lands.
“Given the current condition of this road, we strongly recommend against motorized travel,” said Keith Berger, BLM’s Field Manager for the Royal Gorge Field Office in Cañon City. “Until we can get repairs accomplished, it is simply not safe for travel.”
The BLM is currently investigating repair options. At this point, the BLM does not have an estimate on when the roads can be repaired.
The Royal Gorge Field Offices uses wet weather gates at the entry point to several roads in the area. When the gates are closed, motorized access is prohibited. These closures are necessary to reduce resource damage in wet weather. For information on the status of wet weather gates, call 719-269-8500, or visit the BLM website at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/recreation0.html