Rock falls at Mesa Verde National Park are delaying the reopening of that park until February 4/NPS

Shifting gears in national park operations after the lengthy partial government shutdown is not quickly done, and so not all parks are fully ready for visitors to return. At Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, several rock falls are complicating that park's reopening, which isn't scheduled until February 4.

"During the shutdown, several large rock falls occurred on the main park road between mile markers two and three, causing damage to the road and guardrail," Mesa Verde spokeswoman Cristy Brown said. "Repairing the road damage and replacing the guardrail, along with substantial snow removal, are necessary to ensure visitor and staff safety prior to the park reopening."

Mesa Verde's Visitor and Research Center is scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. on February 4, she said.

It's expected to take a while to remove rocks that tumbled onto roads at Mesa Verde National Park during the partial government shutdown/NPS

In California, Sequoia National Park officials don't expect all facilities to return to normal operations until Tuesday. To the north in Washington, staff at Olympic National Park need to clear downed trees, plow roads, and do safety checks. Winter operations on Hurricane Ridge aren't expected to return to normal until Friday.

At Yellowstone National Park, as with many other units of the National Park System, furloughed staff were expected to return to work on Monday "and open the remaining park functions. For example, employees will begin to process the backlog of applications for special use permits, film permits, commercial use authorizations, and research permits," a park release said. "By midday Monday, the public will also be able to obtain permits for the non-commercially-guided snowmobile access program."

Mount Rainier National Park staff in Washington were facing the task of plowing away four weeks of snowfall from some roads.

"Visitors should be aware that while full park services will now be available in Longmire, the process for restoring two-way vehicle access to Paradise is expected to take many days," a park release explained. "Significant targeted snow removal is required on all roads, pull-outs and parking areas between Longmire and Paradise. Staff are working now to restore safe access to this popular winter recreation area as quickly as possible. A projected opening date will be established as soon as possible."

In Death Valley National Park, the Furnace Creek and Texas Springs campgrounds were scheduled to reopen on Thursday, while the Mesquite Campground was to reopen once the water system was deemed safe to use, and Wildrose will open "once flood debris is cleared and water is safe."

Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico also will reopen Monday, but staffing problems continue to affect the return to normal operations.

"Due to a shortage in staffing, operating hours will be 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays," a park release said. "The monument will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays until positions can be refilled."

Daniel Kish, a ranger at the park, said Sunday that the a job announcement had been prepared to go out earlier this year, but the shutdown impacted that as human resources staff were furloughed. He said the park was looking to hire between two and four seasonal employees.

Heavy snow that fell at Valles Caldera National Preserve, also in New Mexico, should ensure some great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for the near future, park staff said. "Cross-country skiers and snowshoers are invited to be among the first to break snow in the preserve’s 1.5 to 4 feet of snow," a release from Valles Caldera said.

"The preserve has miles of ungroomed trails for the adventurous skier and snowshoer. Winter recreationists should be aware they will be traveling in an environment with all its dangers: unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, deep snow, and snow covered streams," the release added. "Safety is not guaranteed, so be prepared for any situation and know the limits of your ability. Be sure to layer up with insulating, waterproof clothing, wear sunglasses, use sunscreen and carry water."