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Yosemite National Park Rock Slide Prompts Closure of Lodge

Peter Greenberg Worldwide
Locations in this article:  Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA

Park canyonVisitors to one of America’s most famous national parks were literally shaken up yesterday afternoon when rocks the size of microwave ovens came barreling down the side of a mountain near their lodge.

Guests at Yosemite’s historic Ahwahnee Hotel had to be evacuated after the rocks fell from the Royal Arches formation, which towers 1,600 feet over the luxury lodge.

So are visitors in danger? And what does this mean for geologically-active National Parks?
No one was injured, but one person’s vehicle was damaged after a rock hit the windshield.

300 people were staying at the Ahwahnee at the time of the incident, which occurred around midday. They were moved to alternate accommodation and the hotel was closed until at least noon on Friday as a precaution. The slide was one of a series of rock slides that started around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Yosemite streamGeologists are monitoring the surrounding area and trying to assess the stability of the cliffs, which move and shift frequently. Last October another part of the park was hit by a rockslide, leading to the permanent closure of part of Curry Village, a popular family accommodation area.

Park spokesman Scott Gediman said rockfalls are part of the ongoing development of Yosemite Valley, which has been evolving geologically for millions of years. The stunning Yosemite Valley was created when retreating glaciers cut through solid granite during past ice ages.

Despite the fact that two people have been killed by rockslides over the last 13 years, park officials say that the danger of get hurt in such an event is low and millions of people safely visit the park every year.

By Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related links: Los Angeles Times, Central Valley Business Times, Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle

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