Yellowstone Begins Major Canyon Rim Rehabilitation Project

A major initiative to repair and improve overlooks, trails, and parking lots along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River began the week of June 20, 2016. The current area closures are the first step in a major rehabilitation project that will take place over the next four years, with completion scheduled for 2020.

The project will re-route trails away from dangerous areas with stone barriers; connect historic overlooks with new walkways; create safe, accessible viewing areas with new informational signage; and use natural materials to integrate the infrastructure into the canyon’s spires and cliffs.

Current closures include:

• Inspiration Point is closed until fall 2016.
• A section of the North Rim Trail between the Brink of Upper Falls and the Brink of Lower Falls is closed untilJuly 23, 2016. The Brink of Upper Falls and Brink of Lower Falls are still accessible from their respective trailheads.

Areas impacted over the four-year period include:

• Brink of Upper Falls
• Brink of Lower Falls
• Uncle Tom’s Trails and Overlooks
• Inspiration Point
• Red Rock Point
• Crystal Falls
• Sections of the North Rim Trail that connect these areas
• Parking areas at the Brink of Upper Falls and the Uncle Tom’s area are being reconfigured to increase parking and the flow of pedestrian traffic. Stay informed about current and future area closures at http://go.nps.gov/canyonprojects.

This project will be funded by the Yellowstone Park Foundation through private donations and federal fee dollars. Construction will be managed and contracted by the Federal Highways Administration, with oversight by Yellowstone National Park. A crew of students from Montana Conservation Corps is assisting the National Park Service trail crew with work on the North Rim Trail.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 12:33PM by eeek.