Yosemite National Park has had to evacuate guests lodging at the Awahnee Hotel due to rockslides which began Wednesday morning and continued throughout the afternoon. The Awahnee Hotel's 125-room capacity was full when the park forced the evacuation. The rockslide began on the north side of the valley, near the hotel, where a large granite formation began to crumble and break apart. Although guests were present at the time of the rockslide only minor damage to several vehicles was reported.
There were 70-80 guests at the Awahnee Hotel during the first slide and park officials were forced to evacuate the large group to the Awahnee meadow near the hotel while a geologist determined whether the area was safe. After several hours of investigation it was determined that the area was unsafe for park tourists and employees. The Awahnee Hotel will remain closed until Friday afternoon as a precautionary measure and all guests will be relocated to other facilities throughout the park. For more information regarding Awahnee Hotel closure information please call 801-559-5000.
