Guardsman Pass will close for the winter at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, cutting off the seasonal mountain route between Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Park City area.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) announced the closure as winter weather returns to the Wasatch Back. The restricted section runs from the SR-190 winter gate in Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Bonanza Flat gate.
UDOT's Wasatch Back road information page confirms the closure time and location.
The Alpine Loop, which connects American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon, will also close for winter at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Why Guardsman Pass is closing
Guardsman Pass is a steep, narrow mountain route that does not receive winter plowing.
UDOT closes the road seasonally because snow and changing weather conditions make it increasingly difficult to maintain safe vehicle access.
The route experienced temporary weather-related closures earlier in October, but Friday's shutdown marks the start of its regular winter closure.
The road typically reopens in late spring or early summer, depending on snowpack, weather and maintenance conditions.
UDOT has not announced a reopening date.
Which Park City routes remain open?
The closure does not affect every road approaching Guardsman Pass.
UDOT says SR-224 over Empire Pass remains open until further notice.
Pine Canyon also remains open, although travelers should check with Wasatch County for any changes in conditions or seasonal restrictions.
Motorists traveling between Park City and the Salt Lake Valley should plan around the loss of the Guardsman Pass connection and check conditions on alternative routes before departing.
The UDOT seasonal roads page lists the status of state-maintained mountain highways.
Alpine Loop closes Monday
The Alpine Loop, designated State Route 92, is scheduled to close at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Its winter closure extends between Pine Hollow in American Fork Canyon and Aspen Grove above Sundance Resort.
The shutdown prevents drivers from using the scenic mountain route to travel between the two canyons.
However, Sundance remains accessible through Provo Canyon, and Tibble Fork Reservoir can still be reached through American Fork Canyon, provided road conditions permit.
UDOT has confirmed the closure on its Timpanogos Area road information page.
Other seasonal roads remain open
Several other high-elevation state routes remain open until further notice, including Mirror Lake Highway east of Kamas, Monte Cristo near Ogden, East Canyon and Wolf Creek Summit.
UDOT has not announced seasonal closure dates for those roads.
The department generally closes high-elevation routes during winter and reopens them when snow and maintenance conditions allow safe travel.
Drivers planning trips into the mountains can check UDOT Traffic for current road conditions, seasonal closures and weather-related restrictions before leaving.
