Editor's note: This updates with additional details on injuries, rockfall.
Geologists on Monday where assessing the stability of cliffs lining Riverside Walk in Zion National Park a day after a rockfall left two visitors with unspecified injuries.
The winding walkway runs into The Narrows section of the park along the Virgin River and features cliffs rising 1,400 feet. Sunday afternoon, rocks peeled off one of the cliffs and showered down upon the visitors.
"A very small amount came down," said park spokesman John Marciano in an email. "The bigger rock that slid at what could have been as high as 1,400 feet broke into other works, which split it up and stopped a BIG fall. "
The injured sustained leg injuries, one that was considered serious, but Mr. Marciano didn't have details.
The Riverside Walk, historically called “The Gateway to the Narrows,” is one of most popular trails at Zion. The paved, relatively easy trail parallels the North Fork of the Virgin River as the canyon begins to narrow. The towering cliffs on either side can be as high as 1400 feet. The rock fall occurred near the far end.
The trail was expected to reopen Monday afternoon, said the park spokesman.
“My heart goes out to those that were hurt and their families,” said Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. “The landscape is continually being carved by rock, water and time. Unfortunately these types of events are unpredictable.”
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