Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Superintendent Rosie Pepito has set the seasonal winter closure of Kelly Point Road (NPS #1203) for Tuesday, Dec. 8.
“At this time of year Kelly Point is one of those places in the Parashant where you would be truly alone and a vehicle breakdown could be life threatening.” —Rosie Pepito
In winter, the roadbed is saturated from rain and melted snow. The seasonal closure will protect the road and nearby vegetation. In the past, the road was damaged by deep ruts and widened as motorists drove around mud holes. This changed natural drainage patterns in fragile meadows and destroyed vegetation and cultural resources. Trees were also suffering damage from winch cables.
“The road to Kelly Point is very rough and one of the most isolated places in the monument. A seasonal closure is the best way to protect the road, park resources, and public safety,” said Pepito. “Weather conditions in the high country can change very rapidly. There is no cell service in the monument. We don’t want people getting stranded way out there for multiple nights as has happened in the past. At this time of year Kelly Point is one of those places in the Parashant where you would be truly alone and a vehicle breakdown could be life threatening.”
The seasonal road closure during the winter months was implemented in accordance with the General Management Plan Record of Decision approved in 2008.
Kelly Point Road is expected to open in late March or early April.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument contains over a million acres of vast, remote and sparsely developed lands that are co-managed under a Service First Agreement by the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service to conserve in perpetuity the cultural and natural features and values.
Contact Jeff Axel at (435) 688-3377 or Chief Ranger Chad Corey at (435) 688-3280 for more information.
