Public Comments Sought On Rainbow Bridge Trail Improvement Plan

The National Park Service is considering options for improvements to the trails in Rainbow Bridge National Monument, which is located inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and accessible from Lake Powell.

People interested in making comments can do so from this page.

Here is background information provided by the National Park Service:

A trail management plan is needed to support the ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation, and improvement of the existing trails within Rainbow Bridge National Monument, including the trail from the dock on Lake Powell and the overland trail that enters the monument from the adjacent Navajo Nation.

The existing trail from the lake is affected by fluctuating lake levels and periodic flood events. In 2013 a large section of the trail was damaged during a flash flood. Although short-term repairs were made to provide interim visitor access, a long-term trail repair is still needed.

The proposed Rainbow Bridge Trail Improvement Plan will also evaluate the feasibility of improving universal accessibility to comply with Outdoor Accessibility Guidelines and will evaluate the potential to develop a new trail segment around Rainbow Bridge to provide one continuous path from the shore of Lake Powell to the monument boundary.

Currently no trail around Rainbow Bridge exists and visitors are asked to not walk under Rainbow Bridge in recognition of the sacred nature of this site to several Indian Tribes.

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate different trail improvement alternatives. The Rainbow Bridge Trail Improvement EA (RABR EA) will be developed through a public process that complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Zion Park Snow Photos

This last storm dropped snow in Zion National Park and created very interesting scenery. The park has posted many winter photos on its facebook page. Take a look, they are spectacular.