​       Shortly before noon on Friday, August 16, park rangers were notified by a park visitor that a 70-year-old male had taken a 15 to 20-foot fall near Estes Cone.
 
    Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members provided care on scene and prepared the patient to be transported off Estes Cone via a hoist. Park rangers were assisted by a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter from Buckley Space Force Base to extricate the man. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group assisted with helicopter hoist operations.
 
    The man was transferred to a Med Evac air ambulance at Upper Beaver Meadows and flown to further emergency care. No further information is available.
 
    Regardless of fitness levels, park visitors are reminded to be prepared when setting out on any park adventure and activity. In addition to carrying the ten essentials and packing extra food and water, know your own limits and take time to adequately rest and consume water and salty snacks when recreating in the mountains.
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    For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park, visit our website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.

     Beginning on Monday, August 12, a section along the south shore of Bear Lake Loop Trail will be closed between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for park forestry crews to conduct hazardous tree work. Several standing dead trees will be removed for public safety along this section of the trail. The trail will be temporarily closed through Thursday, August 15. The trail will re-open for the weekend and close again on Monday, August 19 through Thursday, August 22.
 
     These temporary closures will not impact the main Bear Lake viewing locations or trail access to Flattop Mountain, Bierstadt Lake, Alberta Falls or Nymph Lake, Dream Lake or Emerald Lake.
 
     Visitors must observe and adhere to this posted closure.  Trail guards will also be near the closure area directing visitors.
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    For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.

​    Due to extreme fire danger, the extended weather forecast, and current fire activity in the State of Colorado, a ban is now in effect on all fires within Rocky Mountain National Park. This ban is effective beginning today, Thursday, August 1, and will remain in effect until further notice.
 
    When fires bans are in effect, this means that all campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not permitted anywhere within Rocky Mountain National Park. However, petroleum-fueled stoves and grills may still be used in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and in designated backcountry campsites. Stoves must be able to be turned on and off.
 
    Smoking is also prohibited inside the park, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Visitors are reminded to properly extinguish all lighted smoking materials and dispose of properly. Fireworks are always prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.
 
    Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. The last time a total fire ban (Stage 2 fire restrictions) was in place in the park was in August of 2020.
   For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park, visit our website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.