The next time you go to your warm, cushy desk job, take a moment to think about the guy who goes to work in a snowplow and has to clear the roads of the Colorado Rocky Mountains!
Watch the video below that shows a breathtaking view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains and one road in particular that is being plowed for passage in April after a winter of snow.
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Trail Ridge Road in Colorado is cleared every April for potential May (Memorial Day) passage. There are two plows involved - one in the east and one in the west - together they start out plowing snow up to 22 feet until they meet each other at the visitor’s center in the middle.
What machinery is required to perform this amazing task? John Deere wheel loaders/blowers are able to stand up to the task and gobble this snow for 48 miles through the Rock Mountain National Park. The blower on the rotary can throw the snow up to 150 feet.
According to The National Park Service, plowing Trail Ridge Road costs over $35,000 a year. Every morning the gear is oiled and greased, and the whole journey takes a few days. Of course, when the snow comes back, it’s time to move it again.
See the excellent video for yourself below, and SHARE if you’re a fan of these dependable machines and their unsung operators.
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