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News Zion Road and Trail Closures (ongoing)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by ratagonia, Mar 2, 2019.

  1. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    TRAILS UPDATE AS OF 03/19/19
    Closed trails

    Sand Bench Trail-Closed from Emerald Pools Bridge to Court of the Patriarchs to south bound foot traffic only for about 2 days. Will not affect Horse rides.

    Pa’rus Trail-Closed from Pine Creek Bridge to Canyon Junction for ADA repairs.

    Upper Emerald Pools Trail

    Kayenta Trail-Closed at Grotto

    Hidden Canyon Trail

    East Rim/Observation Point via Weeping Rock parking area. The upper East Rim/Observation Point trail complex is open from East Entrance and East Mesa but there is no exiting at Weeping Rock (no one way hiking from upper trails to Weeping Rock).
  2. Yellow Dart

    Yellow Dart It's only hubris if I fail.

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    As of yesterday, KTR is clear up the switchbacks to within 100 yards of WCTH.

    Impassable beyond, with a Rubicon.
  3. bigjstyle22

    bigjstyle22

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    Am I reading your acronyms right? You can get to within 100 yards of Wildcat Canyon Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road? Doing Subway top down in 2 weeks and was wondering about trailhead access.

    Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk
  4. YoungBuck

    YoungBuck

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    The road is still technically closed AFAIK, but I was there on Saturday and a minivan made it just about to the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead.
  5. Yellow Dart

    Yellow Dart It's only hubris if I fail.

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    idkmybffjill
    KBDave likes this.
  6. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to close for 3 weeks for repairs
    Written by or for St. George News

    SPRINGDALE —
    As a result of being severely undercut by a rockslide on March 2, the Zion- Mount Carmel Highway (state Route 9 connector) will be closed for three weeks starting April 9 for road repairs.

    The damage originally closed the road for almost a week. Since then, one lane of traffic has been allowed to remain open. However, starting Saturday, the road will be fully closed from the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to Canyon Junction.

    A section of the existing road will need to be completely removed, and a retaining wall below it will be rebuilt, as well as the roadway itself. The road is expected to be closed for approximately three weeks as a Federal Highways contractor completes the work.

    All vehicles entering from the east side will have to turn around before the tunnel

    The east side will be limited to vehicles smaller than 7 feet 10 inches wide and 11 feet 4 inches tall between the east entrance of the park and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. All vehicles entering from the east side will have to turn around before the tunnel.

    All hiking trails and canyoneering routes on the east side will remain open; however, those needing to get permits from the main canyon or wanting to stage vehicles there, will need to drive around. Permits may also be obtained from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Contact Station off Interstate 15 Exit 40.

    Alternate east and west driving routes are available via Highway 59 from Hurricane to Fredonia, Arizona, and state Route 14 from Cedar City to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89. People coming from I-15 to Zion may access the park as usual by traveling east on SR-9 through Springdale.

    All park facilities, including the visitor center, museum, campgrounds and shuttle buses, are open and operating as normal in Zion Canyon. The Kolob Canyons facilities and Kolob Terrace are open as usual.

    Visitors should continue to expect trail closures in the main canyon. The Kayenta Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail remain closed due to a landslide that has continued to settle since July 2018. The East Rim Trail, as well as total access to Hidden Canyon and access from the main canyon to Observation Point, remain closed due to a landslide and an unstable overhanging boulder since January 2019. As those areas dry out, staff will be assessing each to determine next steps and timelines.

    Since October 2018, Zion Canyon has received 15.05 inches of precipitation. In comparison, during the same time period one year ago, the same area received 4.48 inches of precipitation.

    https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/a...KUaUw8Jj_O26Sw287fgqmU2JmPrbtwiA#.XKOAuVVKiUk
    NorthBound likes this.
  7. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Update April 15, 2019

    Zion National Park
    Construction began this week to fix the washout along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park. The highway (State Route 9 through the park) is completely closed from Canyon Junction through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. A section of the existing road will need to be completely removed, and a retaining wall below it will be rebuilt, as well as the roadway itself. The road is expected to be closed through at least April 30, 2019, as a Federal Highways contractor completes the work.

    The east side of the highway will be limited to vehicles smaller than 7’10’’ in width and 11’4’’ in height between the East Entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. All vehicles entering from the east side will have to turn around before the tunnel.

    All hiking trails and canyoneering routes on the east side will remain open, however those needing to get permits from the main canyon or stage vehicles there, will need to drive around. Permits may also be obtained from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Contact Station off of Interstate 15.

    Alternate driving routes are available via:
    -Highway 59 from Hurricane, Utah to Fredonia, Arizona and
    -Highway 14 from Cedar City, Utah to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89.

    People coming from Interstate 15 to the Park may access the Park as usual by traveling east on State Route 9 through Springdale. All Park facilities including the visitor center, museum, campgrounds, and shuttle buses are open and operating as normal in Zion Canyon. The Kolob Canyons facilities and Kolob Terrace are open as usual.

    Visitors should continue to expect trail closures in the main canyon. The Kayenta Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail remain closed due to a landslide that has continued to settle since July, 2018. The East Rim Trail, as well as total access to Hidden Canyon and access from the main canyon to Observation Point, remain closed due to a rockfall and an unstable overhanging boulder since January, 2019. As those areas dry out, staff will be assessing each to determine next steps and timelines.

    This year (October 1, 2018- March 31, 2019), Zion Canyon has received 15.05 inches of precipitation. In comparison, during the same time period one year ago, the same area received 4.48 inches of precipitation.
    Austin Farnworth likes this.
  8. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Update April 24, 2019

    Construction continues on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park. The highway (State Route 9 through the park) is completely closed from Canyon Junction through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. A section of the existing road was completely removed, and a retaining wall below it is being rebuilt, as well as the roadway itself. The road is expected to be closed through at least April 30, 2019, as a Federal Highways contractor completes the work.

    The east side of the highway will be limited to vehicles smaller than 7’10’’ in width and 11’4’’ in height between the East Entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. All vehicles entering from the east side will have to turn around before the tunnel.

    All hiking trails and canyoneering routes on the east side will remain open, however those needing to get permits from the main canyon or stage vehicles there, will need to drive around. Permits may also be obtained from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Contact Station off of Interstate 15.

    See second photo for alternate driving routes including:
    -Highway 59 from Hurricane, Utah to Fredonia, Arizona and
    -Highway 14 from Cedar City, Utah to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89.

    People coming from Interstate 15 to the Park may access the Park as usual by traveling east on State Route 9 through Springdale. All Park facilities including the visitor center, museum, campgrounds, and shuttle buses are open and operating as normal in Zion Canyon. The Kolob Canyons facilities and Kolob Terrace are open as usual.

    Visitors should continue to expect trail closures in the main canyon. The Kayenta Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail remain closed due to a landslide that has continued to settle since July, 2018. The East Rim Trail, as well as total access to Hidden Canyon and access from the main canyon to Observation Point, remain closed due to a rockfall and an unstable overhanging boulder since January, 2019. As those areas dry out, staff will be assessing each to determine next steps and timelines. The Narrows is currently closed due to spring snowmelt, which may last through May.

    Current conditions are always available on our website and we will update the website and social media as we know more: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

    Road Rebuild.
  9. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Good news... (Zion National Park, April 26th)

    Ahead of schedule, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway(State Route 9) will reopen tomorrow, Saturday the 27th at 8:00 AM.

    Park rangers will be present on either side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to escort oversized vehicles from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm. Starting Sunday, April 28th, the Tunnel will be open to oversized vehicles from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, a schedule that will remain until the fall.

    Construction began on April 9th, 2019 and required a section of the damaged road to be completely removed, a new culvert placed, the slope stabilized, and a retaining wall rebuilt. An additional section of the road required reestablishing road base and paving as well. Construction was expected to last approximately three weeks, but a Federal Highways contractor was able to complete the project four days ahead of schedule.

    Though the road connecting south and east to State Route 9 will again be open, visitors should continue to expect trail closures in Zion Canyon. Kayenta, Upper Emerald Pools, Hidden Canyon, and East Rim (to Observation Point via Weeping Rock) remain closed. Staff will be assessing each trail to determine the next steps for stabilization and alternatives for their repair. The Narrows is currently closed due to snowmelt.

    "We greatly appreciate the efforts of our park, Federal Highways and contractor team to implement repairs as safely and quickly as possible" said Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh, "and restore this vital connection for the visiting public and local communities."

    Read the full news release here: https://www.nps.gov/…/zion-mount-carmel-highway-reopens-aft…
    Check our website for alerts and conditions: www.nps.gov/zion
  10. Yellow Dart

    Yellow Dart It's only hubris if I fail.

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    Interesting the difference between an independent contractor finishing ahead of schedule, vs when the Feds contract the usual big box companies to, say, redo Kolob... 5 months turned to 10, and they only finished 70% of the work.

    #goodenoughforgovernmentwork
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  11. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Once again demonstrating Noel de Nevers's complexity law, "The only simple subjects are the ones you don't know much about".
  12. jsb4g

    jsb4g

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  13. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Kayenta Trail reopens in Zion National Park after over year-long closure
    Written by Ryne Williams
    September 15, 2019

    ST. GEORGE — The Kayenta Trail in Zion National Park has been reopened after a mudslide temporarily closed in last year.

    Kayenta was one of several trails closed after rainfall from a large thunderstorm caused flooding, mudslides and rockfalls throughout the entire park on July 11, 2018.

    “It closed July 11 after that intense storm we received that afternoon,” park spokesperson Eugenne Moisa said. “That storm closed down Kayenta trail, lower emerald, and multiple other trails. They’d been working on clearing the mud, rocks and boulders that came on the trail. It also significantly damaged the trail itself, where they had to rebuild stairs and steps to make it accessible for us.”

    Hikers can now access the trail from shuttle stop six. However, there is not access to the Zion Lodge, Lower, Middle, or Upper Emerald Pool trails from the Kayenta Trail.

    Moisa spoke about the difficulty of the Kayenta Trail.

    “The Kayenta Trail is a moderate, 2-mile round trip trail,” Moisa said. “Typically, if the trail were to be completely open, you’d be able to also connect to it from Lower Emerald Pool, which is very popular because it comes from Zion lodge.”

    The Kayenta Trail is popular for its beauty and the great vantage point you get on the hike.

    “It lifts you about 150 feet or so off the ground, off the river bed, so you’re above the tree line looking down at the river, out of the canyon. It’s a pretty view with a little bit of work, but not too bad for most people,” Moisa said.

    While the Kayenta trail is reopening, Upper Emerald Pool, Weeping Rock, Hidden Canyon and East Rim/Observation Point Trails from shuttle stop 7 will all remain closed.

    “If people want more information, we recommend you look on our website, or stop by the visitors center, and just be careful,” said Moisa. “Enjoy the park.”

    With Pictures: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/a...s6hYxTe5rls-Huf_73ajFbZPCG40tY8w#.XX5Xd9VKiUk
  14. Jeff Randall

    Jeff Randall

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    I'm assuming Emerald Pools is still closed, correct? We're trying to get another Heaps trip together for next year with some guys from North Carolina and was wondering so we could start planning a rough timeframe.
  15. jsb4g

    jsb4g

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    I had a hard time identifying what was open from the article. According to the NPS home page, only the first .8 miles of Kayenta trail is open and then they have the remainder blocked all the way to upper Emerald. I think this means Behunin and Heaps are still closed. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Baby steps, but at least there is progress.
  16. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Progress has been made. There are indications that the next step, the next area of damage to be repaired, is much less difficult and Behunin could be open in the next month or so. Upper Emerald and Heaps sometime before Christmas.

    Tom
  17. YoungBuck

    YoungBuck

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  18. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    New Update from Zion Park regarding the East Rim/Observation Point Trail...

    A large rockfall occurred on the East Rim Trail on August 24, 2019. These photos are of the Weeping Rock Trail, which was also damaged by the debris flow. The source of the rockfall was a location on Cable Mountain, high above the trail. As the large chunks of Navajo sandstone tumbled down and broke apart, they created a wind gust that knocked down trees and branches. The rocks and sand ended up covering a large part of the Weeping Rock Trail.

    It is two months later and the park, with the help of state geologists, is making progress assessing the stability of this area. This is necessary before work to clear and repair the trail can begin. We still don't know what we may find under the debris. Perhaps the trail will be unscathed or perhaps it will require significant repairs.

    The size and scope of this event means that we shouldn't expect these trails to open in the near future. We may not know how long to expect this area to be closed, but you can always check the current conditions on our website: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

    Currently, The Weeping Rock shuttle stop and all trails that start there are closed (including Observation Point, Hidden Canyon, and Weeping Rock Trails.) We will update social media and our website when we know more.

    NPS Photos

    opt01.

    opt02.

    opt03.
  19. Blake J

    Blake J

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    Would observation point canyon still be open?
  20. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    No. It descends into a closed area.

    T
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