Shelf Road and Bank Closures

Went down to Shelf yesterday in the first nice weather we've had in a long time. Unfortunately we found the gate to the Bank campground and parking area to be closed. Is this road to be closed all winter? Is it impassable when snowy or are climbers being weaned off of Cactus Cliff? Frankly a bunch of climbers walking down a windy and icy Shelf Road does not seem like a better solution than the previous parking situation. I like the new trail from the Bank but this is getting to be a bit annoying....

Dan

Get a rope, we need to form a posse and have a lynchin'.

The road up to The Bank is closed because of snow and mud. I don't think that climbers are the problem...they probably want to keep the ATVs off the road and out of the canyons where there is still alot of snow. It's not too bad of a hike though and if you go you'll have Cactus and The Bank pretty much to yourselves...and that's a good thing! The road into the Sand Gulch campground and parking is very muddy and snowy still, but this warm weather will melt it out. I was there a week ago and plowed through 2-foot drifts getting back there.

road closures? what is the current condition of shelf road? i was planning on heading down there tomorrow. is it accessible and dry?

I was at Shelf on Sunday. The road was snow covered in places, but also very muddy in places. I would assume that it is drying out with all of the sun this week. The road up to The Bank is closed, but the parking lot by the coral is open. Do not park at the base of the old road up to Cactus Cliff...they are ticketing people who leave vehicles unattended along Shelf Road.

As of yesterday, February 11, the road up to The Bank has reopened. Muddy in spots but passable. Ditto for the road back to Sand Gulch Campground. Most of the snow has melted and the mud is drying.

what about the closure to the campground and to sand gulch?

Drove up to the Bank with no problem this past weekend. Did actully go to Sand Gulch area but did see tents and campers.