Dangerous Boulder Above Popular Zion National Park Hiking Trail Sent Crashing Down Slope
Quality safety work from the good folks from the Zion National Park trail crew who responded to reports of a dangerous boulder precariously perched above a popular hiking trail.
The trails crew removed the hazard rock from the Angels Landing Trail using a pry bar and what appears to be minimal effort. With a simple leveraging of force, the sandstone boulder dislodged and busted up into thousands of piece as it crashed down the slope towards Refrigerator Canyon. The rock was previously held in place with a large net. Once the net was removed the boulder fell almost immediately with one of the park ranger involved commenting “that was super easy!”
Both the Angels Landing Trail and Refrigerator Canyon were closed during this planned rockfall. After the boulder was removed and the area stabilized, visitors were able to start hiking once again. All told, the closure only lasted 45 minutes. Because the boulder crumbled on impact, there was minimal damage to the trail.
While you are hiking in Zion National Park what should you do if you witness a rockfall?
• Be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to warning signs, stay off closed trails, and keep away from cliff edges. If you are at the base of a wall or when a rock fall occurs above, seek shelter immediately behind the largest nearby boulder or move away from the cliff.
• Inform park staff if you witness a rockfall, by calling the Park Information line at 435-772-3256 and/or email information and photos to zion_park_information@nps.gov,
• Learn and understand more about rockfalls. Continue to learn about this geologic process happening in national parks that you visit.
Zion National Park experiences rockfalls because of the steep canyon walls and characteristic geology of the area.
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