On Monday, February 24, around 3:19 p.m., dispatchers at Zion National Park got a flurry of phone calls. A significant rockfall occurred along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between the Great White Throne pull-out and the Big Bend Shuttle Stop. It must have been a bit exciting for those who witnessed the event, and it begs the question: How common are Zion rockfalls and what’s being done about them?
Visitors evacuated after Zion rockfall
In the Monday event, rangers immediately responded, and traffic was temporarily stopped in both directions around the rockfall impact area. Upon evaluation and monitoring, visitors were safely evacuated from north of the rockfall.
The affected section of the road remained closed for 24 hours after the initial event to monitor for additional rockfall. The road and rockfall site were assessed by the park’s Physical Scientist. After the period of monitoring, the road was cleared. About 12 cubic yards, or one dump truck load of material, was removed from the road. Traffic from the Grotto to the Temple of Sinawava reopened Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
High temperatures, vegetation issues likely the cause
What happened? About 470’ above the roadway on a nearly vertical cliff, a 23×33-foot block of Navajo Sandstone failed. It is presumed that rooting of vegetation and high temperatures contributed to the rockfall. Several three-foot-size blocks impacted and covered both lanes of the roadway below.
“Thankfully, there were no injuries or property damage,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent said. “Rockfall can happen anywhere at any time in this highly erosive landscape.”
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is now open. “Caution Rockfall Zone Ahead” signs have been posted in the area. Visitors were asked to not linger through the area. Zion rockfall is frequent and it’s difficult to predict when or where the next rockfall will happen.
Zion video offers deeper background
That’s the official word on the matter from the Zion media release. However, as to the comment, “Rockfall is frequent and unpredictable,” we add the comment from a Zion trail crew worker. On the video above, the man reports that there are an “exceptional number of rockfalls” in the park. “Don’t linger” on the road where the Monday rockfall occurred? As the Park Service video advises, “Rockfalls are progressive, meaning it is more likely other rocks will fall because of the initial event.”
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There will be no clearing from now on, due to no employees. What a mess!
Thank you for the news and inherent warning, Russ and Tina. DW visited that park three years ago (and I sat with dog #2 outside the park), so I doubt that we’ll get caught in future slides. Have a great day and safe travels!
Spring time, still freezing and thaws…I’d share photos of highway #97 Wa. if i could. Big sucker and his little pal came rumbling down. ( well not sure if anyone heard them,. they may have not been rumbling. But they sure put a dent in the high way.