Flooding and debris from Tropical Storm Rachel closed Big Cottonwood Canyon Road on Sunday, Oct. 11, according to a October 12 report. The Utah Department of Transportation shut down SR-190 after water and debris swept across the roadway near Storm Mountain.
UDOT and Salt Lake County officials turned vehicles around at the canyon mouth and barred all uphill travel, UDOT Cottonwood Canyons stated on X. The closure followed flash flood warnings triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, which pushed heavy rain across much of Utah on Sunday. Sandy residents had been warned on Friday, Oct. 9 that the storm could bring flooding to the area.
UDOT crews worked overnight to clear a clogged culvert at Storm Mountain near milepost 4.25, the agency posted on X early Monday, Oct. 12. No estimated reopening time was given for the route. While Utah Crash News listed SR-190 as open at the canyon mouth near milepost 2 by approximately 2:19 a.m. Monday, UDOT Cottonwood Canyons had not posted a formal reopening announcement as of its last update at approximately 2:46 a.m. Monday.
Downhill traffic was rerouted through Guardsman Pass, the seasonal mountain road connecting Brighton to the Park City SR-224 junction. That pass was listed as open early Monday. SR-190 remained closed as of midnight Monday, according to Gephardt Daily.
Big Cottonwood Canyon serves as the primary access for Sandy to Brighton, Solitude, and backcountry trailheads. The closure affected anyone heading up-canyon Sunday evening, including hikers and canyon-area workers.
More disruptions could follow as the National Weather Service forecast calls for 3 to 7 inches of snow in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Tuesday, Oct. 13. An additional 1 to 3 inches are expected Tuesday night, followed by 1 to 2 inches on Wednesday, according to Utah Crash News.
