Landslide closes popular Scotts Bluff monument hiking trail

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 15, 2015, a rock slide occurred on the southwest facing side of Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska. It is estimated that 25,000 – 30,000 tons of rock fell on Saddle Rock Trail, covering it up to six feet deep.

Additionally, the slide occurred directly under a portion of an upper section of trail, leaving it undercut and supported only by a layer of volcanic ash which could also fail. At this time the Saddle Rock Trail is closed indefinitely while the park assesses the situation and consults an expert(s).

Visitors may walk portions of the trail at the bottom and at the top. Barricades have been placed on the trail approximately .75 mile from the Visitor Center and .25 mile from the summit parking lot at the cement steps to keep people safely away from the slide area. Please do not walk around these barricades. The slide can be viewed from the summit parking lot, the county highway, and the Prairie View Trail.

The Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The summit road remains open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. All Monument trails are open from sunrise until sunset.

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