Some mountain passes, like Trail Ridge Road, were blanketed from Monday’s snowstorm, while others stayed on trend with a historically low snowpack

Don’t pack away the winter coat just yet.

Memorial Day weekend usually rings in the summer, with amusement parks opening, pool covers being removed for the season and families racing off on vacations.

If plans included taking a trip to the mountains this weekend, they might need some adjusting.

Some of Colorado’s high mountain passes have already opened for the season, some a bit earlier than usual.

Here are the high mountain passes that will be drivable for Memorial Day weekend:

Cottonwood Pass

According to Eagle County, Cottonwood Pass, which connects the Roaring Fork Valley with the town of Gypsum, opened on April 11 for the summer season.

The pass usually opens around mid-to-late May.

Even with the road opening early, Eagle County officials warn drivers to use caution while on the road and to be vigilant about weather conditions. They also remind drivers to be aware of unpaved portions of the road and sharp turns.

Independence Pass

Independence Pass opened on May 21, just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

“Snowpack for the area has been much lower than years past, enabling CDOT crews to take advantage of this time to conduct essential maintenance of the roadway to ensure the route was safe for commuters to travel,” according to CDOT.

#CDOT #News: CDOT prepares to open #CO82/Independence Pass for the 2026 season on on May 21, 2026. Vehicles 35 feet or longer are prohibited.
📰https://t.co/wcuzS9U9gv#KnowBeforeYouGo pic.twitter.com/yQVqgJf6tD

— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) May 19, 2026

Kebler Pass

Gunnison County officials announced on Tuesday that Kebler Pass, the pass that connects the town of Crested Butte to the small town of Paonia, would open Thursday.

Officials said to expect wet and muddy conditions throughout the pass with some potential for spring snow showers.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Officials with the National Park Service announced on Wednesday that they are uncertain if Trail Ridge Road will be open for Memorial Day weekend following a large snowstorm.

A snowstorm brought more than a foot of snow to the portion of Trail Ridge Road above Rainbow Curve along the east side of the park.

The park service said that on Tuesday night, more showers brought a few more inches of snow to the area.

Trail Ridge Road is a 48-mile-long scenic highway that connects the Estes Park side of the national park to the Grand Lake side, popular among tourists and motorists between May and usually September.

Based on the current conditions following this late-spring snowstorm, the National Park Service said it was unclear whether or not the road would be open for Memorial Day weekend.

As of Wednesday morning, the road was closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and, on the west side, it is closed at the Colorado River Trailhead, according to the National Park Service.

Yesterday's spring snowstorm brought more snow to high elevation areas of #RMNP. This morning, there was over a foot of new snow on the ground at Rainbow Curve and snow is still falling. More snow is in the extended forecast over the next several days.

We are grateful for the… pic.twitter.com/x5K5F2O2Dc

— RockyNPS (@RockyNPS) May 19, 2026

Guanella Pass

Clear Creek County officials announced in April that Guanella Pass would begin its summer season significantly early due to an unseasonably low snowpack.

The pass officially opened April 16 after crews cleared the route of snow more than a month ahead of the typically planned schedule of Memorial Day weekend.

“Due to unseasonably low snow levels, crews were able to clear the route significantly earlier than the typical Memorial Day Weekend opening, providing residents and visitors with early access to the Scenic Byway,” said Clear Creek County officials on their website.