Detail of the landslide that closed off the Hidden Canyon Trail, Zion National Park, Utah, July 25, 2012 | Photo courtesy of Zion National Park
ZION NATIONAL PARK – A landslide in Zion National Park temporarily trapped park visitors and has led to the closure of a park trail.
Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth announced Thursday that the Hidden Canyon Trail had been closed due to a rockslide that occurred on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The rockslide covered a narrow section of the trail with debris trapping 11 park visitors behind it for approximately three hours. Once the debris movement settled down, park rangers set up a rope line and provided the stranded visitors with helmets and helped them out of the canyon.
There were no injuries due to the rockslide or rescue efforts.
The rockslide was active again overnight, depositing nearly 6 feet of debris on a narrow and steep section of the trail, which made it impassable, prompting the closure of the trail.
Work to remove the debris will begin early next week assuming the area has completely stabilized.
The Hidden Canyon Trail will remain closed until further notice.
2 Comments on "Hidden Canyon Trail closed in Zion National Park"
I wouldn’t call that impassable. I could most definitely maneuver it.
@ Murat:
The problem isn’t maneuvering it. The problem is more rocks falling and possibly stricking hikers. Try maneuvering through that.