Yosemite rockfall: Massive rockfall closes a Yosemite hiking trail

Yosemite rockfall: The National Park Service says nobody was hurt when 16,000 tons of rock fell 500 feet and shattered into numerous boulders, crushing trees and sending up a small dust cloud.

|
Yosemite National Park/NPS/AP
Dust rises from a rockfall in Yosemite National Park on Monday, March 31. Yosemite officials say a massive amount of rock has fallen from a cliff, closing a hiking trail.

Officials at Yosemite National Park say a massive amount of rock has fallen from a cliff, closing a hiking trail.

The National Park Service said Monday that nobody was hurt when the 16,000 tons of rock fell 500 feet from a cliff near Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on March 31. Many boulders tumbled into the water.

Officials say the rock crashed down from a cliff east of Wapama Falls. The rock broke into numerous boulders, crushing trees and sending up a small dust cloud.

Some 400 feet of the Rancheria Falls Trail were destroyed and park staff says it will remain closed for now. Park officials say hikers can still get to Wapama Falls starting at O'Shaughnessy Dam.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
What is the Monitor difference? Tackling the tough headlines – with humanity. Listening to sources – with respect. Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. That’s Monitor reporting – news that changes how you see the world.
QR Code to Yosemite rockfall: Massive rockfall closes a Yosemite hiking trail
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0408/Yosemite-rockfall-Massive-rockfall-closes-a-Yosemite-hiking-trail
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe