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BozemanTrail
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015

Zion- Mount Carmel Highway Closed Due to Major Rock Fall

http://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/zmchighwayclosed.htm

"
Springdale, UT- A major rock fall has closed the Zion- Mount Carmel Highway, State Route 9, in Zion National Park as of early this morning. Effective immediately, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance is closed. A significant rock fall occurred on the switchback near the Pine Creek Bridge and is blocking both sides of the road. Crews will have to blast the rock and use heavy machinery to clear it. Due to the rock fall, emergency response is not available on the east side of Zion. The Scenic Drive and Zion Canyon remains open.

Alternate east and west 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 traveling to the park may access the park by traveling east on State Route 9 from Interstate 15. All park facilities including the visitor center, museum, campgrounds, and shuttle buses are open and operating as normal.

The park is expecting to reopen State Route 9 later this evening. Traffic advisory signs will be placed near Mt. Carmel Junction, near Virgin, Utah, and near the park's South Entrance. The park's short 1610 am radio broadcast systems at Mt. Carmel Junction, Hurricane, Utah, and both park entrances will also broadcast the status of the closure."
  • Two people were killed in the area last year when a rock fell on their house.
    We still spend our winters there. You would think that it would have taught us a lesson when we drove by the house on our way to Zion.
  • Homeowners exclusion? In a rock fall area? Do his clients carry their homes around on their backs?

    Gotta run out quick and buy a rock-fall policy that excludes areas where rocks actually fall. Allstate probably has a great one for Kansas residents. Great idea.
  • I have a relative in homeowners insurance business... he mentioned that the entire area around there is a "no policy" area for his company due to rockfalls.
  • Wow...that's a big chunk of rock there in the road.

    Thanks for posting that.
  • Yikes! that is one serious "Rock". glad no one was hurt!
    It would be a shame to be stuck in the park! "hey boss..... I can`t come in for a few days!"

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