Avalanche conditions haunt WyDOT road crews
Avalanche danger continues to pose a threat in the regional backcountry. It is also creating a hazard for motorists.
A slide along Flat Creek in Jackson totaled a pickup parked in an apartment complex lot earlier this week. No one was hurt.
Thursday night, natural avalanches forced the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close all three canyons leading into Jackson.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation said US 189/191 in the Hoback Canyon between Bondurant and Hoback Junction closed at around 2:30 a.m. Friday. Crews opened the road at around 6:30 a.m. Friday.
The Hoback Canyon remains under a “no necessary travel” advisory.
WYDOT also closed US 26/89, the Snake River Canyon, at around midnight. An avalanche was reported at mile marker 120 that covered both lanes of travel. It remains closed, because of the avalanche danger.
“The temperature has dropped more in the Hoback, which has helped with the avalanche danger,” WYDOT Jackson Foreman Bruce Daigle said. “We are watching the Snake River Canyon closely. An opening time will depend on what the temperature does.”
Although WYDOT continues to plow the road and pull resources from other areas, travelers should prepare for an extended closure of the Snake River Canyon.
Teton Pass on Wyoming 22 could face a similar fate. The pass was closed at around midnight due to high avalanche danger. Crews were also working to remove a semi truck that was stuck on the highway, even though that truck was in violation of seasonal closures.
The pass remained closed and crews are evaluating conditions. Avalanche control measures are being performed on major slide paths and on several isolated bank areas.
