By / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
With a cold front sweeping in, many are already looking forward to the first snowfall of the year. The Taroko National Park Headquarters has announced that Hehuan Mountain will enter a 60-day snow season from January 1, 2016, to February 29, and traffic control measures will be implemented simultaneously. Those planning to visit the mountain for snow viewing should take note.

The sections under traffic control during the snow season include Provincial Highway 14A, from Dayuling via Xiaofengkou, Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center, Wuling, Kunyang, Yuanshan to Cuifeng.The nine-day Spring Festival holiday (February 6 to 14) and every regular weekend are designated as “key periods for snow season controls.”The control measures are implemented as follows:

◎ During the snow season: Traffic control is enforced when snowfall (or snow accumulation) occurs; when there is no snowfall (or accumulation), traffic is managed through guidance.
◎ During traffic guidance periods, the section from Dayuling to Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center and above Cuifeng will have flexible vehicle access depending on parking availability (at Yuanshan, Wuling, Kunyang, and Xiaofengkou) and traffic congestion conditions.
◎ During key snow season periods and when snowfall (or accumulation) occurs, Class A and B large buses and trucks over 3.5 tons are prohibited from traveling on Provincial Highway 14A between Dayuling and Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center, and between Cuifeng and Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center. When there is no snowfall (or accumulation), flexible control may allow Class B large buses to pass through controlled sections.

◎ During key snow season periods, when snowfall (or ice) occurs, according to traffic control information issued by highway authorities, all vehicle types are prohibited from passing except official vehicles and snowplows. During emergency snow clearing, the entire section will be closed. Outside designated snow viewing areas, vehicles without snow chains may be restricted or prohibited from entering snowy areas, depending on snow and road conditions and whether the vehicle has four-wheel-drive capability.
◎ During the snow season, when roads are snowy or icy,from 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM the next day, preemptive closures may be implemented on controlled sections depending on actual conditions. If nighttime closures are required on snowy roads, related information will be confirmed by 3:00 PM on the same day.

Visitors are reminded to check snow and road conditions before going up the mountain. In addition to understanding your physical condition and preparing cold-weather gear, also ensure your vehicle is suitable—for example, check if it is old, has sufficient horsepower, is equipped with four-wheel drive, has normal oil and water levels, and has anti-freeze capability.
 

※ For any questions regarding snow viewing or road conditions at Hehuan Mountain, you can call for inquiries.
Hehuan Mountain Visitor Center: (049) 2803985
Hehuan Mountain Management Station: (04) 25991195
Highway Bureau Luoshao Maintenance Section: (03) 8610775, (03) 8610776
Highway Bureau Puli Maintenance Section: (049) 2982066, (049) 2802030.
Nantou County Police Bureau Cuifeng Police Station: <049> 2802603
Hualien County Police Bureau Hehuan Police Station: <04> 25991114
Forestry Bureau Dongshih Forest District Office Songxue Lou: <049> 2802980
Taroko National Park Police Team Hehuan Unit: <04> 25991191
Taroko National Park Hehuan Mountain Management Station: <04> 25991195

Cold front brings spectacular rime ice scenery at Taiping Mountain