'Giant Stairs Trail' closed indefinitely due to Palisades rockslide
The area is known as the "Giant Stairs Trail," a section of the Shore Trail near State Line Lookout.
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The "Giant Stairs Trail" has been closed indefinitely due to a rockslide in the Palisades.
Joshua Laird, executive director with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, tells News 12 the rockslide occurred at around 9 a.m. Friday morning on the cliffs of the Palisades.
The area is known as the "Giant Stairs Trail," a section of the Shore Trail near State Line Lookout.
The park is actively investigating the cause but says it is quite common to see rockslides this time of year.
"These types of rockslides do tend to happen during the winter and spring as a result of freeze/thaw events that loosen rocks that may already be fractured," said Laird.
He says that the nature of the rock that comprises the Palisades is also naturally brittle and porous.
Because of that, the rock is more vulnerable than other types to fracture and fall.
However, he noted that rockslides of this scale are uncommon.
"The nature of this rock is that when it comes down in the zone, it just comes straight down and that's it," he said. "I think the big question for us now is: What is the condition that's been left behind on that cliff face?"
At this time, the "Giant Stairs Trail" is closed until further notice pending further safety assessments.
There were no injuries reported at this time.
