A hiker on a closed trail at Yosemite National Park was killed Sunday when struck by falling rock and ice, park officials said Monday.
Xuan Wang, 56, of Cupertino, Calif., was hiking along Mist Trail, a popular hike in Yosemite that take hikers on a three-mile round trip to Vernal Fall. But portions of the trail have overhanging rocks where large icicles form and fall on the trail, which was why park officials closed the trail.
“The Mist Trail, a popular trail from Yosemite Valley to the top of Vernal Fall, is closed this time of year due to icy and hazardous conditions,” a Yosemite National Park news release stated Monday.
“The trail closure is clearly marked and there is a gate on the trail reminding visitors of the closure. Wang ignored the signs, went around the gate and the incident happened on the trail leading to Vernal Fall.”
Wang died soon after being struck.
The incident, which occurred approximately 12:30 p.m., remains under investigation.
Generic photos show icy conditions on portions of Mist Trail and how it looks when open. Photos: Yosemite National Park.
