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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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    https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/a...rNG_5Z8t9csnJmTP5SEifQ8K76fAnb48#.XczVvdVKiUk

    Work on the redesign of Zion’s south entrance begins

    Construction on the redesign of Zion National Park’s southern entrance began this week with the expectation it will help visitors get into the park faster. Work began Tuesday and will include the widening of the roadway to accommodate new lanes, the construction of additional fee booths, traffic islands and an employee parking area. The project is expected to carry on through April next year.

    According to the first phase of the traffic control plan for the project detailed in an email from the town of Springdale, work crews will primarily be clearing and grubbing on both sides of the road and doing earthwork to expand the roadway for incoming and outgoing lanes. Once that is complete, paving will be done to move both incoming and outgoing lanes to the west side of the fee stations which is where it will stay for the duration of the construction.

    zion-south-entry-original-stgnews-1.

    (More at the St George News)
    scottensign likes this.
  2. scottensign

    scottensign

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    I wish they would add an express lane for season pass holders. Swipe your pass and you are in. It is really dumb to have to wait behind a line of tourists tying up the employee by asking questions about things to do, etc. Unfortunately, it looks like all they are doing is adding one more lane to wait a little less time behind tourists.
  3. hank moon

    hank moon kinetically bulbous

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    Possible issues w/that idea (for cars):

    - How to create a functional express lane w/o doing major road work in Springdale? And would such be possible and/or desirable from the POV of the town and/or business + property owners?
    - What to do when the express lane is empty?
    - How to verify passholder ID?
  4. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    They seem to have figured it out at the Airport Parking...
    Blake J likes this.
  5. Yellow Dart

    Yellow Dart It's only hubris if I fail.

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  6. clangingsymbol01

    clangingsymbol01

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    A report is out...posted to Facebook.

    "The estimated volume of the rock avalanche was calculated to be 435,712 cubic feet (12,338 cubic meters). The rock mass was approximately 31,000 tons. The calculated volume and flow-like qualities of the event classify it as a very small rock avalanche."

    Boy...my dad said don't through rocks as a kid...if that volume is a "very small event", I have no hope of even getting a mention...just saying!

    https://www.facebook.com/143664062331242/posts/2939741602723460/

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
  7. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    March 7, 2020
    Zion NPS Press Release

    Park shuttles are required to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive today through November, 2020. The first shuttle leaves the visitor center at 7 am. The shuttles run back and forth on the shuttle route all day, stopping at every shuttle stop in both directions. Generally, every few minutes there is another shuttle. The last shuttle leaves the Temple of Sinawava at 8:15 pm. Shuttle maps and schedule details are available on our website: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/shuttle-system.htm

    Leave your vehicle at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to ride the free park shuttle. Parking at the visitor center will fill up every day. If it is full when you arrive, plan on parking in Springdale and using the free town shuttle to reach the visitor center.
  8. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Park Update on Observation Point Trail

    Zion National Park

    A portion of the East Rim Trail remains closed due to a large rockfall that damaged the trail in August, 2019. This includes the Weeping Rock Trail, all access to Hidden Canyon, and access to Observation Point from Zion Canyon.

    This rockfall event deposited 435,712 cubic feet (12,338 cubic meters) of debris onto the slope below Cable Mountain. That is enough to fill a football field 7.5 feet deep! These recent photos show the gullies that are forming as some of that debris moves down slope. Each rainstorm continues the process of erosion that contributes to the ever-changing Zion Canyon.

    Due to the significant damage and tremendous amount of shifting debris, the park is confident that these closures will remain in effect through 2020. We will update social media and our website when more information is available, but please do not plan on hiking these trails this year.

    Photo from the Utah Geological Survey Report: https://geology.utah.gov/publication-details/?pub=RI-281
  9. ratagonia

    ratagonia

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    Zion National Park to Temporarily Suspend Shuttle Operation to Comply with Coronovirus Protective Guidelines


    Subscribe [​IMG] | Zion Information, (435) 772-3256


    Springdale, UT – Effective March 17, 2020, Zion National Park will temporarily suspend the park’s shuttle operation. The park itself remains open and visitors will be allowed to drive up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive until the limited parking in the main canyon has filled. Once parking is full, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed and open intermittently as parking spaces become available, most likely between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

    The health and safety of people visiting and working at Zion National Park is our priority. We are working with the National Park Service Office of Public Health and the U.S. Public Health Service to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. A resumption of the shuttle service date has not been determined at this time.

    Other measures that are being taken include creating virtual visitor centers in lieu of staffed buildings, and putting all wilderness permits online. Park rangers will be available in real time to answer phone calls and emails during regular business hours for information and trip planning. There are signs throughout the park with phone numbers and email contact information.
    Yellow Dart likes this.
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