Rockfall in Zion blocks road to The Narrows

First there is a dull thud, then a cloud of dust and rocks pour down from the red walls of Zion. On Monday, August 24, a large rockfall occurred between The Grotto and Weeping Rock — almost directly in front of the shuttle bus.

The road beyond the sixth shuttle stop was temporarily closed. Access to the Temple of Sinawava, the final stop from which The Narrows hike, one of the park's most famous trails, begins, was affected. The road had reopened by Tuesday morning.

Zion’s beauty is due to its ever-changing geology. Water, winter snow, spring runoff, and summer monsoon rains have eroded the canyon’s steep walls over millions of years. In the past month alone, several inches of rain have fallen in some parts of the park—enough to make the rock less stable.

Before heading to The Narrows, it's a good idea to check the current status of the road and trails. In the canyon, rocks sometimes decide to remind you of themselves without warning.