Clear Creek Canyon road closure

[mikehs]

Regarding the rock slide yesterday about 10 miles up Clear Creek Canyon. the DOT expects the road will be closed to thru traffic for some time. The question is - Will they allow boaters to drive part way up from Golden to shuttle for Lower Clear Creek and/or Black Rock??? Anyone have an idea as to how strict they usually are with this kinda thing? Thanks, Mike

[alexhenes]

In my experience with Clear Creek road closures they are very strict and don't give much heed to kayakers.

I heard on the radio this morning that the road may be closed for weeks.

If you want to paddle Clear Creek, Kermits to Golden might be a good option for you.

[jonny water]

I work for the USGS Landslide Hazards Team and we are going up Clear Creek today to check out the Rock-fall. I'll post info on access to boaters and details as to when the slide will be cleared, etc. later today.

[ec]

Police: The Road is closed, move along.
Driver: F#@$ OFF officer, don't you see the #$$@ kayaks in my truck.
Police: I'm sorry sir, you can drive right up the canyon, have a GREAT time!! We cleared a special path for kayakers only.

LMAO!!

[mikehs]

To Jonny Water - Is great you are working on the rock slide clean-up AND are a boater! Will await your most accurate info. Thanks!

To EC - it's always great to dream!!!! ;o)

Mike

[twitch]

Currently they will not allow rafters or kayakers to pass through the section of Clear Creek where the landslide took place citing the danger of further collapse. So if you want to run something on Clear Creek, just plan on taking out above HWY 119. Everything below that point until you reach Golden is off limits for the time being...unless of course you want to hike up from Golden..which I doubt they'll let you do.

[stinginrivers]

It sounds like the canyon is going to be closed for a couple weeks.

As twitch stated they are concerned about more rocks coming down.

I think they should set up a fast pass type gate, and give every boater a pass to get up the canyon to black rock and close it from there up.

How sweet would that be only CDOT and boaters allowed up the canyon.

[jonny water]

Just heading up the canyon right now....will post in a couple hours...great timing huh??? Clear Creek is at peak flow RIGHT NOW!!

[De la Boot]

Hey Johnny, do you know if you guys are going to be hauling everything out, or will some stuff be pushed into the creek?
It seems much cheaper just to push it in and around. May make for a new rapid?

[Pogge]

I emailed CDOT this morning and here is the response that I received.

Jefferson County Sheriff
PR 05-24
For Immediate Release—June 22, 2005

Contact:
Jacki Tallman
Jim Shires
Public Information Director Public Information Officer
303-271-5697 – work 303-271-5601 – work
303-435-1421 – cell 303-435-2395 – cell

Safety concerns call for closure of Clear Creek

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will close all waterway activity on Clear Creek between State Highway 119 and State Highway 58 in Clear Creek Canyon. This closure is due to the safety concerns surrounding the potential of additional falling rocks since the massive rockslide on June 21.

Rafting, kayaking, tubing and fishing will be prohibited beginning at 10 a.m. on June 22, 2005. Violators will be issued a summons for a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars.

The closure will stay in place until the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) opens the roadway. The closure is expected to last between two to four weeks.

Vehicle travel is also prohibited through the canyon by order of CDOT. Travelers are advised to take I-70 west to exit 244 the east on US 6 to State Highway 119.

This sucks!!!