Catastrophic rockfall obstructs primary route to Yosemite - view images of colossal rubble mound
Heya there! A massive landslide's blocked the main route leading into Yosemite National Park, and it's uncertain when it'll reopen, mate. A whole bunch of rocks have landed on Route 140 between Briceburg and El Portal in Mariposa County, burying the road beneath debris. Apparently, some wet weather in the narrow canyon caused the slide.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spokesperson Brian Hooker spilled the beans to SFGATE: "This is going to be a long-term, extended closure until our crews can clear the debris and inspect the hillside to ensure it's safe for motorists."
Caltrans warned folks on Facebook: "Avoid this route and seek alternative highways—SR-41, SR-120—to and from Yosemite National Park." Visitors can't access the Yosemite Redbud Lodge or Cedar Lodge via state Route 140. Bus travelers can only get as far as Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort.
Brian Hooker shared during the conversation with SFGATE that their teams inspect the hillside before meteorological events to ensure everything's in good shape, but sometimes, Mother Nature can chuck some unexpected events our way.
Route 140 starts in the San Joaquin Valley at near Gustine, California, and runs east into Sierra Nevada, ending in Yosemite National Park. It's 102 miles long and boasts some stunning views of the Merced River Canyon and oak woodlands.
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(Psst, did you know that rockslides are a common hazard in this region, especially after heavy rains or snowmelt?)
Sources:1. Yosemite National Park Service Road Conditions2. Caltrans District 10 Newsroom3. Sacramento Bee4. San Francisco Chronicle5. US Department of Transportation
- In light of the recent landslide disrupting Route 140, it might be beneficial for environmental science students to study the environmental factors contributing to such weather-induced events in Yosemite National Park.
- The ongoingclosure of Route 140 due to a massive landslide raises questions about the implementation of science and weather monitoring systems in managing such environmental hazards in popular tourist locations, like Yosemite National Park.
