Zion-Mount Carmel Highway closes for repairs
By Aly Baltrus
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will be closed for three weeks starting April 9 for road repairs. The road was severely undercut March 2, but one lane of traffic has been allowed to remain open. However, on April 9, the road will be fully closed from the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to Canyon Junction. A section of the existing road will need to be completely removed, and a retaining wall below it will be rebuilt as well as the roadway itself. The road is expected to be closed for approximately three weeks as a federal highways contractor completes the work.
The East Side will be limited to vehicles smaller than 7’10” in width and 11’4” in height between the east entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. All Vehicles entering from the east side will have to turn around before the tunnel.
All hiking trails and canyoneering routes on the east side will remain open; however, those needing to get permits from the main canyon or stage vehicles there will need to drive around. Permits may also be obtained from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Contact Station off of Interstate 15.
Alternate east and west driving routes are available via Highway 59 from Hurricane to Fredonia, Arizona and Highway 14 from Cedar City 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 continue to expect trail closures in the main canyon. 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. As those areas dry out, staff will assess each to determine next steps and timelines.
Between Oct. 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, Zion Canyon has received 15.05 inches of precipitation. In comparison, during the same time period one year ago, the same area received 4.48 inches of precipitation.
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