Yosemite rockfall forces hotel evacuation

[August 27, 2009]  FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Yosemite National Park's majestic Ahwahnee Hotel will remain closed until at least noon Friday after tumbling boulders from the Royal Arches formation forced the evacuation of all 300 guests Wednesday.

The closure comes after a series of falling rocks, some as large as microwave ovens, tumbled at least 100 feet from the base of the cliff and into the valet parking lot, where three cars sustained minor damage, park spokesman Scott Gediman said. No injuries were reported.

Dust from the avalanche, which started around noon, temporarily obscured views of Half Dome.

Guests of the historic 125-room hotel were taken by bus to other lodging facilities in the park and surrounding communities.

"People understand that Yosemite is a wild place and these things happen," Gediman said. "The mood here is very good, and people understand what is going on."

Rockfall is a potential danger in the park formed when retreating glaciers cut dramatic formations from solid granite. Royal Arches towers 1,600 feet behind the Ahwahnee, a massive arts-and-crafts-style hotel with dramatic views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point.

In October park officials permanently closed one-third of Curry Village under Glacier Point after the equivalent of 570 dump trucks of rock hit 17 cabins and forced the evacuation of more than 150 youngsters on a field trip. No one was seriously injured.

The century-old Curry Village is the most family friendly lodging in the park, consisting of cabins, stores and restaurants run by an outside company.

An Associated Press story last year said that geologists have warned for at least a decade that the granite face of Glacier Point above the village was dangerous. Despite two deaths and an increase in the frequency and severity of the rockfalls since 1996, park officials had been reluctant to act.

Gediman acknowledged Wednesday that rockfall is a potential danger and something park geologists monitor.

"Yosemite continues to be affected by rockfall and rockfall continues to be a part of the ongoing development of Yosemite Valley," he said.

[Associated Press; By TRACIE CONE]

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