NPS Photo
SPRINGDALE, UT – The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was closed the evening of
March 2, 2019, after reports of an active rockslide on the switchbacks
below the tunnel. The area was assessed in the morning of March 3, 2019.
A retaining wall failed and eight feet of the road is severely undercut
east of the 1st switchback. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel
from the East Entrance to Canyon Junction, is closed until further
notice.
Due to this storm, access to Canyon Overlook Trail, near the Zion-Mount
Carmel Tunnel, is closed. Several canyonneering routes have also been
closed because they are normally accessed from the closed road. These
include Keyhole, Canyon Overlook, Pine Creek, Spry, Clear Creek, Fat
Man’s Misery, and Lodge Canyons. The East Rim Trail head is accessible
from Zion’s East Entrance. Staff are currently checking trail conditions
on the remaining trails.
Alternate east and west 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 expect trail closures. 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.
This year (October 1, 2018- March 3, 2019), Zion Canyon has received
10.12 inches of precipitation. In comparison, during the same time
period one year ago, the same area received 2.77 inches of
precipitation.
