Kodachrome Basin State Park Reopens After Bridge Washout Strands Campers

Update 9-30-14, the park provided this update: The bridge is now back open to Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Cottonwood road to Grosvenor's Arch and Hwy remains closed.

Kodachrome Basin State Park is a popular spring and fall camping area off All American Hwy 12 in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area. But it was closed yesterday after heavy rain caused the Paria River to flood, taking out the access bridge. Campers were stranded for a time but no injuries were reported at the state park.

A car on the access was swept into the flood and the couple inside had to be rescued by a swift water team. They apparently suffered hypothermia but should recover.

The video at right was provided by KSLNews.

Elsewhere, a man died in the Narrows in Zion Park after becoming separated from his group by high water. The entire park was closed Zion Park was closed for a time because of flooding and potential rock and mudslides.

This has been an incredible year for flooding. On a normal year we get a flood here and there during out “monsoon season” in August, but September is usually dry and mild. This year we've had flood after flood. The latest weather forecast says this storm is winding down and we should get back to warm weather and sunny skies later this week.

Oh, the first significant snow of the season fell yesterday in the Snowbird area. The season is definitely changing.