Guardsman Pass temporarily closes as winter weather moves through the Wasatch

PARK CITY, Utah — Guardsman Pass temporarily closed Monday evening because of winter weather, cutting off the mountain route between Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon until at least Thursday morning.

The Utah Department of Transportation closed the route at 9:30 p.m. Monday, citing dangerous winter road conditions. UDOT estimates the road will reopen Thursday morning, though an exact reopening time has not been announced.

The closure affects the section of Guardsman Pass connecting the Park City area with State Route 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Drivers can still travel on SR-190 below the closure point, according to UDOT.

The temporary closure comes as snow and colder temperatures move into the Wasatch Mountains. The National Weather Service forecast called for accumulating snow in the upper Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, with Guardsman Pass among the areas that could see higher snowfall totals.

Snowbird Resort reported 10 inches of snowfall at their snow stake on Tuesday morning.

 

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The temporary closure does not necessarily mark the end of the road’s season. UDOT lists the route as only temporarily closed. A full closure will come later in the season.

Drivers should check UDOT’s road status updates before traveling, as the estimated reopening could change with conditions.

TownLift’s new Park City Snow Report includes totals for Little & Big Cottonwood Canyon’s through Thursday.