UDOT to open 2 Utah seasonal roads this weekend, provides update on Guardsman Pass
May 13, 2025, 8:00 PM
FILE — Fall colors begin to show themselves in the trees of Emigration Canyon east of Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. UDOT plans to open two more Utah seasonal roads the weekend of May 16, including SR-65, which connects East Canyon and Emigration Canyon. (Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah seasonal roads are slated to open this weekend.
The Utah Department of Transportation said state Route 65, which connects East Canyon to Emigration Canyon, and Monte Cristo Highway are expected to open by 8 a.m. on May 16.
Monte Cristo Highway, which is east of Ogden, connects the area to Woodruff and Huntsville, winding through the scenic alpine landscapes in the Wasatch mountains.
FILE — UDOT removes snow from on the Monte Cristo Highway Tuesday, June 14, 2011. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
Additionally, SR-148 in Cedar Breaks National Monument opened this morning. The department also noted that the road to Wolf Creek Summit opened in late April.
Utah seasonal roads close during the winter due to heavy snowfall. According to UDOT, driver safety is a concern during that time. Closures often last from November to May.
What about Guardsman Pass?
Guardsman Pass, which runs between Brighton and Park City, will also open soon. According to UDOT, they plan to open the road on May 22.
Just last week, KSL NewsRadio reported that crews were hard at work removing up to 11 feet of snow from the road.
Videos shared by UDOT on May 5 showed workers using heavy machinery to clear the narrow road.
🚧Guardsman Pass SR-190 update:
💪@utahtransportation 233 crew making progress today!‼️There is NO opening date/time determined yet, but we will share that information as soon as we have it.‼️ pic.twitter.com/QEXr3Ho0xk
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) May 5, 2025
Other seasonal road openings still unknown
According to UDOT’s seasonal road website, several other roads are still closed. The list includes:
- Mirror Lake Highway
- Alpine Loop in American Fork Canyon
- Mount Holly
The website only provides details for roads maintained by the state. If a road isn’t listed on the site, check with local officials for updates and closure information.
Utah seasonal roads provide access to quiet recreation
Guardsman Pass is well known for providing access to several peaceful and scenic hiking and mountain biking trails. Similarly, the opening of other Utah seasonal roads unlocks chances for exploration.
Mirror Lake Highway
For example, Mirror Lake Highway’s seasonal road provides camping, fishing, hiking, biking, and ATV opportunities. It winds through the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Wall Lake Trail is an easy 2.6 mile out-and-back trail, providing opportunities for camping, fishing, and swimming in a high-alpine environment. It offers a valuable respite from hot summer days in the Salt Lake Valley.
Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway
AllTrails lists seven hiking and birdwatching trails near SR-148, which runs through Cedar Breaks National Monument.
A car drives through the fall colors along the state Route 148 on the way to Cedar Breaks National Monument. (Steve Greenwood/Utah Office of Tourism)
Visit Utah recommends visiting the Alpine Pond Loop, which is part of the national monument. The easy hike features a gentle descent into the forest scenery just north of the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center.
Monte Cristo Highway
According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are hiking, biking, learning, horseback riding, off-roading and camping opportunities off the Monte Cristo Highway, including the Monte Cristo Campground 30 miles east of Huntsville.
It is the highest of the sites in the Ogden Ranger District, sitting at 9,000 feet above sea level. The Monte Cristo Campground is surrounded by spruce and Douglas fir stands, making for scenic views and fresh mountain air.
If you choose to off-road or ride on horseback in the area, note that horses are not permitted in the campground. All-terrain vehicles need to be stored at least a mile away.
“Summer wildflowers are plentiful and autumn leaves put on a spectacular show,” the Forest Service wrote.
Campsites provide picnic spaces, potable water and public restrooms. They can be reserved through the federal government’s platform for travel planning.
For more ideas for ways to enjoy Utah seasonal roads, consult travel guides, hiking trail maps, and the Forest Service website.
More summer recreation reading: Wildflower season is blooming. Where and how to take in the views
