WALLACE — County crews are working to clear snow, downed trees and debris on Moon Pass and fully reopen the road by next weekend. 

Moon Pass connects the Silver Valley region of Shoshone County with the communities of Avery, Calder and Clarkia along the St. Joe River in the county’s southern region. The road is closed each year around Thanksgiving. 

Larry Hammer, supervisor at Shoshone County’s Osburn shop, was encouraged by his crews’ progress in March. 

Hammer had previously expressed concern about what crews might encounter closer to the summit in more remote sections of the pass, including the potential for rockslides like the one that closed the road for nearly a year in 2024. 

An April snowstorm, however, delayed work for a week and undid much of the crew's progress. 

“As we got near the top, we found a lot of windstorm damage and four sections of the road that had sloughed off," Hammer said. "Boy, we were sure glad to have the grader already up there. We’ve been rained out, snowed out and had to grade ourselves out.” 

The county typically opens Moon Pass to full travel by Memorial Day, but Hammer had hoped to finish by this weekend. When that proved unattainable, he set a firm goal of May 15. 

Hammer said the route is popular with drivers traveling between the Silver Valley and the St. Joe River region. 

“We’ve had the road from the bottom to the top open for a bit now, but people could get to the other side,” Hammer said. “Unless something crazy happens, we’re going to be open by next weekend for full travel.” 

Hammer urged travelers to stay on the main road. Many side roads, including those near Loop Creek and Squaw Creek, remain in poor condition and should not be used until crews complete the maintenance. 

Until the county issues a formal announcement, travelers should continue to obey all posted traffic signs along Moon Pass.