Yosemite's Popular Climbing Trail Closed Due to New Crack

A new 200-foot hand crack, named Super Natural, appeared near Yosemite's Royal Arches cliff, prompting park officials to close the area due to safety concerns. The crack has caused a large pillar of rock to partially detach, with active cracking and rockfall observed. The crack has grown by an additional 12 feet and widened in some areas. Rockfall incidents are relatively common in Yosemite Valley, and the park regularly studies the threat of rockfall using various tools. Visitors are reminded to be cautious as rockfall can occur on any route in any area of Yosemite.