Rockslide spoils Yosemite vacations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- One of the main access points to Yosemite National Park remains closed after a rockslide on Thursday shut down Highway 140 just inside the park entrance.

Chase Jarrod Keith came from Australia to see the spectacular sites of Yosemite, but only managed a short walk in the park before being turned back. "Came here to see Yosemite," Keith said, "Came over from Australia, came to see the beauties of it, but, unfortunately, there's a landslide so we can't make it to the park."

The rockslide came crashing down early Thursday morning and spoiled travel plans for many. "Yeah, we drove from Corvallis, Oregon all the way to Yosemite and the road is closed," visitor Sara Hall said.

The park is still open if travelers want to take a 3-hour drive around to the other entrance. "We have another chance of taking the long way around," Hall's husband Chance said. "I guess you have to have chains that way so it's kind of a bummer. We changed, but we don't want to put them on -- it's a hassle."

The prospect of chaining up seems to be an issue for most of those considering another way around. Those waiting to get through saw a positive sign late Friday, the first truckload of rocks was removed from the slide. The park service has no estimate on when it will be cleared up enough to open the road.