News short: Highway in Zion remains closed due to rockfall

A house-sized boulder has closed the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway indefinitely while crews work to remove it. Zion National Park, Utah, Aug. 10, 2016 | Photo courtesy of National Park Service, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The recent rock slide that brought massive boulders onto state Route 9 – the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway – in Zion National Park has yet to be cleared, and the road remains closed between Canyon Junction and the east entrance of the park.

A large thunderstorm brought heavy rain Wednesday and forced the park to close the Mt. Carmel-Zion tunnel due to flash flooding and debris. The switchbacks leading up to the tunnel were being cleared of debris when the large boulder came down. No one was hurt in the incident.

Alternate routes leading east and west are available for travelers. Highway 59 — accessed in Hurricane — leads to Fredonia, Arizona. State Route 14 leads east from Cedar City to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89. The main entrance to the park is still accessible by driving east on state Route 9 from Interstate 15.

Traffic advisory signs will be in place near Mt. Carmel junction, the town of Virgin and the park’s south entrance. The Zion National Park website and social media will provide updates on road conditions, as will Zion’s short-range radio broadcasts at Mt. Carmel junction, Hurricane and both park entrances.

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12 Comments

  • mmsandie August 12, 2016 at 11:34 am

    This is a tough situation for tourists too and summertime, we can,t control Mother Nature.. With heavy rain.. Hope they can solve the problem, ut many people drive thru and see boulders sticking out on roadway and hope they don,t come down someday

    • Bob August 12, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      don’t do meth, kids!

      • .... August 13, 2016 at 10:30 am

        Practice what you preach ….geez

    • ladybugavenger August 12, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Who is this Mother Nature people speak of?

      • .... August 13, 2016 at 10:34 am

        Mother Nature is just an igment of somebody’s figmentation

        • Real Life August 13, 2016 at 11:45 am

          Must be some powerful stuff you got.

          • .... August 14, 2016 at 7:47 am

            Nobody cares what think

        • ladybugavenger August 13, 2016 at 1:20 pm

          Lies told to kids like the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, and the tooth fairy?

          • Anejo August 14, 2016 at 10:31 am

            Yep! Don’t forget dragons, unicorns, Thor, Zeus, and Jesus Christ…

          • ladybugavenger August 14, 2016 at 8:30 pm

            You’ll have your come to Jesus moment soon. Have a beautiful evening. ?

          • Anejo August 15, 2016 at 2:18 pm

            Already have! He works landscaping out in Mesquite. He works miracles with flower beds! You have a wonderful evening also!

          • ladybugavenger August 15, 2016 at 3:53 pm

            Oh my! I had to laugh at that bahahahaha!

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