Three roads are now closed in the High Cascades, impacting travel around the region.
Information from the Oregon Department of Transportation said Oregon 62, also known as the Crater Lake Highway, is closed from Prospect northwest to the boundary of Crater Lake National Park. The 20-mile section of highway was shut down late Monday afternoon due to heavy snow and falling trees.
Also closed is a section of Oregon Highway 138E, also called the Diamond Lake Highway. It is shut down from east of Toketee to the junction with U.S. Highway 97, a distance of around 40 miles. The road was closed early Monday afternoon.
The first road to close was Oregon 230, the West Diamond Lake Highway. It has been shut down since late Sunday. By Monday morning an estimated 100 trees had fallen across the highway, with another 200 trees leaning dangerously inward to the road. Gary Leaming of ODOT said on Monday that it may take several days to open the 24-mile road between Union Creek and the Diamond Lake junction with Oregon 138.
With plenty of snow in the forecast in the mountain passes for the next week, the road closures could be in place for the foreseeable future, making it difficult to get to and from central Oregon, and to other parts southern parts of the state.
Use www.tripcheck.com to monitor road conditions and closures. Stay with News Radio 1240 KQEN and check www.541radio.com for update.