Rare avalanche warning issued for Pikes Peak

The rash of avalanches in Colorado’s ski country has led to a rare avalanche warning for Pikes Peak.

Yes, you read that right: there’s an avalanche warning for America’s Mountain.

Such warnings are rare for the peak since it’s on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, where less snow falls.

But Pikes Pikes Highway manager Jack Glavan says the warning is more of a precaution, and the avalanche threat isn’t serious — yet.

“March and April are our snowiest months,” he says. “So we’ll likely get more snow on top of what we already have, although we don’t have enough yet to be a problem.”

Glavan says the only Peak area that would be affected by an avalanche is an unofficial skiing area known as the Devil’s Playground and Glen Cove underneath.

Glavan says that’s where avalanches occasionally happen.

“If it’s big enough, we can get snow blocking the highway and Glen Cove parking lot, and getting close to the Glen Cove building,” he says. “But that’s happened only twice in the more than 20 years I’ve been here.”

Glavan said the avalanche warning will remain in effect through the weekend.

The Peak’s summit was closed Friday because snow was still being plowed by crews.