Gushing waterfall appears after road into popular Utah canyon collapses, photos show
People looking to spend Memorial Day hiking a popular canyon in Utah this weekend might want to consider a backup plan.
Floodwaters washed out a gaping hole on the Nebo Loop Scenic road that leads to the Upper Grotto trail in Payson Canyon, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
“This is 9 miles up Payson Canyon - Nebo Loop Scenic Byway,” deputies said in the caption of a May 22 Facebook video showing a waterfall flowing over the washed-out road. “Canyon roads usually open by Memorial Day. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest says expect a two-week delay because of problems like this.”
The washed-out portion of road is just below the Pete Windward turnoff, officials said.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest shared striking photos of the waterfall on Facebook, as well.
“Gates should be opened to the Upper Grotto trailhead for this weekend,” officials said in the post. “Although we are working on a repair solution, no estimated time of opening the Upper Grotto gate.”
There’s 8 to 10 inches of snow on the road at the lower Payson Lakes entrance and standing snow off the road and inside the Payson Lakes Campground and nearby areas, officials said.
“Payson canyon just got a new waterfall,” someone said in the comments on the video.
A Facebook group dedicated to protecting and preserving American Fork Canyon jokingly asked if there would be a contest to name the waterfall.
“Maybe Pete Winward Waterfall?” the Utah County Sheriff’s Office suggested, referencing the name of a nearby reservoir.
“Just stay home and save gas,” someone suggested in the comments of the national forest post.
“No fishing at the lakes this weekend,” someone else said.
Someone else said they saw people driving up the canyon despite the gaping hole.
“Can’t stop them all,” they said. “Everyone that thinks they are going to the grotto this weekend are mistaken. The trail is a mess with high water and fallen trees everywhere.”
Payson Canyon is about 15 miles southwest of Provo.
Sinkhole swallows woman in front yard — then her rescuers fall in too, NY cops say
Huge sinkhole is growing, putting Texas residents on edge. ‘We have packed our bags’
Birds are falling out of the sky in Wisconsin. A natural phenomenon explains why
