Date: July 26, 2012
Contact: Brandon Torres, 435-772-7825
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811
Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth announced today that the Hidden Canyon Trail is currently closed due to a rockslide that occurred on Wednesday evening, July 25 at 5:30 p.m. The rockslide covered a narrow section of the trail with debris trapping 11 park visitors behind it for approximately three hours. Once the debris movement settled down, park rangers set up a rope line and provided the stranded visitors with helmets and helped them out of the canyon. There were no injuries due to the rockslide or rescue efforts.
The rockslide was active again overnight, depositing nearly six feet of debris on a narrow and steep section of the trail, which made it impassable, prompting the closure of the trail. Work to remove the debris will begin early next week assuming the area has completely stabilized. The Hidden Canyon Trail will remain closed until further notice.