Zion National Park scenic drive closes indefinitely after rock slide

[accadacca]

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah -- A rock slide has closed about two miles of a scenic drive inside Zion National Park in southern Utah.

Nobody was injured, but officials say Zion Scenic Drive is impassable just north of Zion Lodge and will remain closed until further notice.

Park officials say the slide occurred late Friday, covering both lanes of the road with about 200 tons of massive boulders and debris that stretch about four car lengths.

Emergency crews used a shuttle to transport stranded motorists out of the park Friday evening, CBS affiliate KUTV reports.

It’s not immediately known when the closed stretch of road will reopen.

Park officials say workers and geologists must wait for the area to dry out and assess the damage before removing debris and reopening the road.

Officials say visitors should expect crowded road conditions and parking through the weekend.

Other landslides have closed two trails in the park.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbsne...-drive-closed/

[rockgremlin]

That looks like more than 200 tons.

[Rob L]

Good. It's not the first time that has happened in my time of hiking in ZNP.

The ZNHA should leave that rock fall there, although I can't imagine the ZNP or the NPS and their beancounters would agree. But maybe for a short time the coach-loads of tourists will Foxtrot Oscar somewhere else, now they can't get up to the Sinawava concrete "trail". It must be lovely and peaceful the other side of that rockfall.

Rob