A couple from Utah found themselves fleeing for safety on Friday when large boulders tumbled down a slope near Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.
Bailee and Emerson Hamilton were driving through the canyon when they witnessed a massive section of rock give way, and they recorded the frightening event.
Having lived near the canyon for a decade, the Hamiltons immediately worried about any hikers or pedestrians that could be caught in the debris path.
“We’re up this canyon almost every day… and we know how much traffic, foot traffic, there is, especially on a Friday afternoon,” Emerson shared. “So, our first reaction was, oh no, there’s got to be people in its path.”
Bailee said that the rocks weren’t just small bits; they were substantial. Concerned for potential victims, they decided to check on anyone who might be hurt and to assist emergency responders.
After parking at Nunns Park, they noticed rocks scattered on the pedestrian walkway and soon heard another slide begin.
“We both turned around and ran as fast as we could away from it until we were kind of a safe distance,” Bailee recounted during an interview.
Fortunately, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the rockslide.
The trail was slated for closure soon but has now been pushed to an earlier date due to the slide. It will remain closed through the winter, with cleanup efforts expected to start in the spring.
As a follow-up on Monday, Utah County officials announced several areas are now off-limits, including:
- The road between the lower and upper parking lots due to construction at the base of the falls.
- The trail from the falls to the lower parking lot at the Nunns Park turn-off from Highway 189.
- The upper overlook parking lot will remain available until November 1, after which it will close for the winter.
