WALLACE — County crews are working to clear snow, downed trees, and debris on Moon Pass, with a goal of fully reopening 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, but April brought new challenges. 

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. 

“We got delayed by a whole week,” Hammer said. “As we got near the top, we found a lot of windstorm damage and four sections of the road that had sloughed off.” 

Crews were delayed again when an April snowstorm undid much of their progress. 

“Boy, we were sure glad to already have the grader up there,” Hammer said. “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 maintenance is completed. 

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