Waste Removal Work to Briefly Close Scout Lookout, Angels Landing and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

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Date: September 14, 2016
Contact: Aly Baltrus
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811

Zion National Park will temporarily close access to Scout Lookout and Angels Landing between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.on Monday September 19 and Thursday September 22, 2016 for a waste removal operation. Flaggers will be stationed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.for periodic closures. All traffic should expect delays. Hikers expecting to do Scout Lookout and Angels Landing should plan an alternative activity during these times.

The waste removal from Scout Lookout is a regularly scheduled operation. Loading and hauling the waste away requires use of a helicopter. Due to the helicopter presence, greater safety precautions will be taken in the form of trail and road closures to protect visitors and staff. The helicopter will haul between 10 and 15 barrels each day. Each barrel will weigh approximately 500 pounds when full.

The work, fondly referred to by park staff as the heli-poo operation, reveals a growing challenge to park management. Two evaporative toilets located at Scout Lookout were installed and designed to see use rates of 50 people per day. The toilets are now overused with use rates closer to 400 people per day. To help the park address this problem, visitors are asked use the restrooms located at the Grotto parking and shuttle stop area before they start hiking up to Scout Lookout.



Last updated: September 14, 2016

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.

Springdale, UT 84767

Phone:

435-772-3256
If you have questions, please email zion_park_information@nps.gov. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

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