NOTICE: ALL Zion Backcountry is CLOSED for now

[rock_ski_cowboy]

A member of my group for this weekend was on the phone with Mary at the Backcountry desk and was told that all backcountry resources in the park are
closed for now. That includes areas that wouldn't seem to be in direct danger from fire. She told him that if he showed up in line tomorrow morning, the message would be the same. Looks like no Zion canyons, for now.



Ben
:? :cry:

[Iceaxe]

Good call Benny.... thanks for the heads up...

The following trip types are available for online reservations:

Backpacking Trips
17 resource areas available online (17 resources are currently closed)

Climbing Trips
8 resource areas available online

Slot Canyon Day Trips
13 resource areas available online (13 resources are currently closed)

.

[tanya]

Experience Your America
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the
American
people so that all may experience our heritage.
July 18, 2007
For Immediate Release
David Eaker 435 772-7811
07-18

Zion Closes Entire Backcountry Due to Wildland Fires
No Backcountry or Canyoneering Permits Being Issued

Due to wildland fire activity in and outside of the park, Zion National
Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth is closing the entire backcountry to
visitors until further notice. Starting Thursday morning, July 19, no
backcountry or canyoneering permits will be issued. The three fires in
the
Dakota Hill Fire Complex in Zion National Park are all posing threats
to
most of Zion

[oldno7]

lots of smoke in Parowan today from Zion fires.

[Bo_Beck]

lots of smoke in Parowan today from Zion fires.

Lots of smoke here in "sunny SG" as well from the fires south of I-15 on the AZ Strip. We knew it was coming and boy is it coming!

[Iceaxe]

Here is a Zion webcam

http://www.untraveledroad.com/Webcam.htm?/USA/Parks/Zion

Not as bad as I was expecting....

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

A little up-date. It looks like Zion is currently about 1/2 open. That will probably put a strain on the permits that are available.

Backpacking Trips
17 resource areas available online (10 resources are currently closed)

Slot Canyon Day Trips
13 resource areas available online (6 resources are currently closed)

[Iceaxe]

Update July 31

Canyoneering: Behunin, Heaps and Imlay are still closed. It looks like everything else is now open.

Backpacking: West Rim is still closed but everything else is now open.

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

The Narrows Reopened in Zion National Park

Date: July 31, 2007
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811
Contact: Cody Cole, 435-772-7826

Starting today, Zion National Park will reopen most of the backcountry areas in the park including The Narrows and Orderville Canyon. Park officials issued an emergency closure of all its backcountry areas on July 18 for visitor safety due to the danger from wildfires burning in the park. These fires are now contained and pose no direct threat to visitors. There is an increased risk of flash flooding though, due to the loss of vegetation in the burned area and the prediction of possible thunderstorms through this week. The West Rim Trail, which passes through one of the fire areas, remains closed along with all canyons that are accessed by the trail including Heaps, Behunin and Imlay.

Trails and canyons still temporarily CLOSED in Zion National Park:

West Rim Trail

[Iceaxe]

Update August 10

Heaps is now open, Behunin and Imlay are still closed because of fire.

Not sure what the deal is.... I find it strange that Heaps is open while the other two are still closed. All the West Rim campsites are still closed.

[Iceaxe]

Update August 29

All Slot Canyons in Zion are now open. The West Rim Trail is now open with the exception of campsite #6

Enjoy.