November 14, 2019

12:15 PM UPDATE - US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) has been reopened. Alum Cave is once again accessible. Cherokee Orchard is of course still open, but Roaring Fork remains closed at this time. Use caution and watch for ice and snow on the roadways.

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Good Morning,

​Yesterday was quite the roller coaster ride. To go from the bone chilling single digits up to the lower 40’s, at times 15° warmer than temps down in the valley, was a bit of a shock to the system. Once the shadows got long late in the day, it got cold again quickly and areas that were thawing refroze. Our high temp ended up at 42° and our overnight low just down to 26°. An inch of snow and ice remains. Today should be similar, but there are more clouds present which could prohibit some melting. Areas where hikers have trampled the snow are very slick, so the traveled trails of Rainbow Falls and Bull Head are going to require traction devices for easier passage.

There is no timetable for when US 441 and Roaring Fork will reopen. Rangers and road maintenance crews were still reporting places unfit for vehicular traffic.

Have a great day.