Mudslide temporarily closes Yellowstone's East Entrance

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) Heavy rains this afternoon triggered a mud slide at a construction zone just east of Sylvan Pass, leading to the temporary closure of the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

The slide happened at about 5:30 p.m. It's 50 feet long and varies in depth from one to five feet. Park officials say no vehicles were trapped in the slide and no one was hurt.

The road was also temporarily closed at the Pelican Creek barricade near Fishing Bridge.

Rangers, park maintenance staff, a representative of the Federal Highway Administration and employees of H-K Contractors were at the site.

They were scanning the debris with a metal detector for unexploded ordinance used for avalanche control in the winter, and then removing the mud and rocks from the road.

It is not known when the East Entrance Road will reopen.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-25-07 2117CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list