(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) is advising citizens of a “significant road washout” that closed two roads in North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
Both North Cheyenne Canyon and Gold Camp Roads are closed to all vehicles and cyclists due to “significant road washout.” The area is near Seven Bridges Trail and Silver Cascade Falls. The closure runs from the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center on North Cheyenne Canyon Road to the northern boundary of the park on Gold Camp Road.
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Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs -
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs
According to Scott Abbott, Regional Parks, Trails and Open Space Manager, he received a call from a park ranger who was on scene at around 9 a.m., who informed him of the issue at North Cheyenne Canyon Road.
Watch the press conference in the video player above.
“We’ve had a significant amount of rainfall over the past few days, and that has created some erosion issues,” said Abbott. “The creek is running at a very high rate and has eroded. We have about a third of the road missing at this point.”
Abbott explained that the road had collapsed and fallen into the creek, making it impassible by cars, thus prompting the closure of the canyon.
Public Works assessors are assessing options for repair, according to the City of Colorado Springs. Drivers and the public are asked to avoid the area. However, Abbott mentioned that they are not sure when it will be fixed.
“We are working with our stormwater engineering department,” Abbott said. “They are taking a closer look at really the ins and outs of what may happen continually as we are in the middle of a weather pattern.”
Abbott said the park trails are still open even though they do not want individuals in the roadways that lead to North Cheyenne Canyon Park.
As for the planned event, Pikes Peak APEX, set to occur at Cheyenne Canyon on June 8, Micah Rice with the Pikes Peak APEX and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, said they are working closely with the city.
“It’s too early to exactly tell what we are going to be doing here,” said Rice. “But I understand right now that the trails are open in Cheyenne Canyon at this time, and this is an off-road cycling event. So our expectation is that we will have some sort of event, some sort of race here in the Cheyenne Canyon area.
Crews are reportedly trying to stop the erosion.
“For your safety, please avoid the area at this time,” PRCS wrote via X. “More information will be shared as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience.”
