The hiking trail to Agnes Vaille Falls north of CR 162 and west of Nathrop was reopened Friday morning after closure Thursday because of a rockslide that injured a hiker.

U.S. Forest Service personnel closed the trail near Chalk Lake Campground, to allow time to assess area safety.

Mike Picard, acting district ranger for the week, assessed the trail and slide danger Thursday afternoon and cleared it for reopening Friday.

Ann Ewing, U.S. Forest Service Salida Ranger District communications director said, "What we're doing is reopening the trail, but posting a sign near the falls asking people not to climb on the rocks above or near the water fall."

Picard said, "I estimated about 60 tons of rock come down in the slide. "That's about three large dump
truck loads. There were a lot of pieces about the size of a large office desk."

He said rockslides seldom occur at Agnes Vaille Falls, but just across the canyon there are slides every spring and summer.

"The hikers were extremely lucky Thursday," Picard said, "The rocks are heavy and very angular and they will hurt or kill you if they hit. There's not much you can do if you get caught in a slide, other than pray."

Picard advised people who want to hike the Agnes Vaille Falls trail to heed posted warnings not to go to the top of the basin.

Guidelines for hikers include staying away from areas where rocks are lighter color than others - an indicator of a recent slide.

In addition, they shouldn't venture into slide debris areas because they may remain unstable.