JUNE 30- The Chasm Lake Trail was reopened on Saturday after rangers from Rocky Mountain National Park removed the hazardous rockfall from the trail that was deposited during an intense rainstorm on June 2nd, 2007.  The trail was closed to hikers and climbers for nine days while the Park Service removed these snow-suspended "time-bombs". 

The current snow slopes on this section of trail are often icy in the morning and night and extreme caution should be taken in crossing this frozen slope as angle is steep enought and with the runout below a very sharp talus pile, certain injury would be the result of such a mishap.  Crampons and an ice axe plus some skill in their use would be ideal in icy conditions.

Rocky Mountain National Park News Release

June 20, 2007

For Immediate Release

Kyle Patterson 970-586-1363

Due to hazardous rock fall, the trail from Chasm Junction to Chasm Meadows, near Chasm Lake, in the Longs Peak area of Rocky Mountain National Park, was closed today, June 20.  Current conditions of warm temperatures and rapidsnowmelt are causing increased rock fall activity. This closure will remain in effect until further notice.

Large boulders have been dislodged above the trail.  One boulder, the size of a compact automobile is just above the trail apparently being supported by snow.  Other large boulders are breaking off in pieces and tumbling down. With the current and forecasted temperatures, the rockfall will likely continue.

Visitors are reminded, particularly at this time of year, of the hazards related

to increasing snowmelt, such as rock fall and swift, dangerous water in rivers

and streams.  For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park,

including current road and trail conditions, please call (970) 586-1206. 

      The rockfall on the snow covered trail to Chasm Lake on June 4th, 2007

Eli notes:  Almost all of this rock fell off the south face of Mt. Lady Washington three weeks ago during a heavy rain storm and little has fallen since.  The boulder described is about 5'x5' and the trail for the last two weeks has been going above it in the snowfield that contains this rock and the others that were released during this storm.  A couple of large rocks also fell in my driveway during this violent rain event on June 2nd and many rocks were sent down onto Hwy 36 between Lyons and Estes during this big storm.  Rain events and very warm periods are both primary causes of large scale rockfall in this area, backcountry users and drivers should all take caution in heavy rains.