Roadway in North Cheyenne Cañon Park closed after road is washed out by raging creek waters
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Parks Department says that North Cheyenne Cañon Park and Upper Gold Camp Road are both closed to cars and bikes, after a large chunk of the roadway was washed out by the Cheyenne Creek.
The head of the City of Colorado Springs' Stormwater capitol group, says the creek swelled to its highest levels in 10 years, due to an onslaught of rainfall in the mountains and lower elevation.
The ferocious rapids led to one section of the road, not far from the Mt. Cutler trailhead, to wash away on Wednesday morning.
One hiker who spoke to KRDO13, had been hiking up in the park early Wednesday, and passed the impacted roadway on her way in and out of the park.
"It was just not there anymore. And we were worried that it was washed underneath because it was in a bend of the water." said Linda Watkins.
City officials say the closure runs from the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center on North Cheyenne Cañon Road, up to the northern boundary of the park on Gold Camp Road, north of the Chutes and Ladders trailhead.
Trails within the Cheyenne Cañon Park are still open, but the main road is closed, preventing drivers and tourists from getting to the Helen Hunt Falls, and the parking lot near Upper Gold Camp.
City officials say they have to wait until the rain stops at higher elevations in order to begin any meaningful work on repairs. They say they do not have a timetable on when the road could re-open.
"It happened right next to infrastructure for Colorado Springs Utilities. So we're working with them because we need to protect their utilities. We need to protect our road." said Tim Biolchini, with the Stormwater capitol group.
Biolchini says that the city was hauling in large boulders to divert the water away and prevent further damage.
"We're pushing the water back into the channel where it should be away from the road so the road doesn't erode even more." he said.
Scott Abbott, the City's Park Manager, says they are also communicating with homeowners who live along the scenic Upper Gold Camp Road, which is also closed.
"In the meantime, we're certainly working with them, make sure that they have all their access needs taken care of and that they can come and go as they need."
Additionally, any fans or mountain bikers who are invested in the Pikes Peak Apex Race, who is hosting a race on Sunday within North Cheyenne Cañon Park, should keep an eye on social media for updates before race day.
