on april 12, 1995, heavy rains triggered a landslide that blocked the virgin river in zion canyon. over a period of two hours, the river carved away part of the only exit road from the canyon, trapping 450 guests and employees at the zion lodge. a one-lane, temporary road was constructed within 24 hours to allow evacuation of the lodge. a more stable — albeit temporary — road was completed on may 25, 1995 to allow summer visitors to access the canyon. this road was replaced with a permanent road during the first half of 1996.