Tunnels on Gold Camp Road are closed for rock removal
If you’re familiar with Colorado Springs, you probably know it as a scenic shortcut to Helen Hunt Falls.
But Gold Camp Road is closed at the two tunnels just east of the falls.
The Hanson family lives in Colorado Springs but they know where to go to find peace and quiet.
“This is pretty much the main route to get to the trails that we like,” said Brandt Hanson.
But Monday, the quiet was shattered by falling rocks.
Alex Pellegrino from the city of Colorado Springs Engineering Department said, “we’re doing a rock-scaling operation.”
He says this work has to be done every few years, but the record rain in May followed by more heavy rain in June is accelerating the process.
“(The) rain definitely has an impact on loosening rocks that are up on the mountains.”
So Monday, the tunnels were closed.
Gold Camp Road is a popular choice among hikers, bikers and drivers so the fact that it’s closed is disappointing to a lot of people.
But they understand why the work has to be done.
Jeremy Cartee and his family are visiting from Chicago. He was biking the road Monday when the closure stopped them. He said, “I’d much rather sit back here and watch that big rock fall then be right in front of that tunnel and see it coming down.”
“It makes sense since I imagine with all the rain we’ve had some of them have come pretty loose,” said Hanson.
Pellegrino says removing the rocks is a necessary part of making sure the tunnels can stay open.
“We just want to ensure the safety of the motorists that use it all the time,” he said.
That’s so everyone can continue to enjoy the views for years to come.
Cartee said, “you don’t get a view like this riding the bikes back home.”
The road is expected to be closed through the early part of Tuesday.
