Scientists assessing if famed Yosemite hotel faces another boulder avalanche

Yosemite’s hotel still closed after rock slide

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Scientists are trying to determine if a boulder avalanche that forced the closure of a historic Yosemite hotel was a one-time event or a precursor of more rockslides to come.

The Ahwahnee Hotel remained closed Thursday following the landslide a day earlier that peppered the storied building’s parking lot with boulders. One was the size of two SUVs.

The rockslide caused no injuries among the hotel’s 300 guests but three cars were damaged.

Guests were evacuated and told that the hotel would remain empty at least until Friday.

By then, officials hope a park geologist will be able to determine if a granite face near the hotel is stable or has the potential for another avalanche.