An emergency closure in Grand Teton National Park is limiting access to popular areas around Jenny Lake in Wyoming.
The National Park Service has issued an emergency closure in the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point areas on the west side of the park due to safety concerns after a reported 100-foot fissure opened up.
The cracks were identified in a large rock buttress above the Hidden Falls viewing area after careful observation.
“Human safety is our number one priority, and with an abundance of caution we are temporarily closing this area until we can properly assess the situation,” said National Park Service superintendent David Vela.
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While the areas around Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point may be closed, there are still many activities in the area. The National Park Service noted that Exum Mountain Guides will still operate but are relocating their practice school services to another location.
Shuttle boat and scenic cruises with Jenny Lake Boating continues to operate, and visitors are able to ride the boat to the west shore, hike Cascade Canyon or around the lake and visit other areas on the west shore and the front country areas of the Jenny Lake Complex.
Those familiar with the park will recall that the fissure has opened up near the Yellowstone supervolcano, which has led some to wonder about the unlikely event of an eruption. The last one occurred around 630,000 years ago.
The closure remains in effect indefinitely as officials do not know when the area will again be safe for visitors.