One lane of Yellowstone road opened after slide

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Work crews plowed open one emergency lane Wednesday on the East Entrance Road, which remained closed to regular traffic since several mudslides Sunday night.

Park officials remained optimistic that the road could be reopened to visitors by Friday.

The slides, triggered by heavy rains Sunday, trapped 16 people in four vehicles. All were rescued safely, though some had to crawl out their car windows because of mud that was up to 4 feet deep.

About 10,000 cubic yards of rock, dirt and water slid down the steep slope east of Sylvan Pass, covering about three-quarters of a mile of roadway.

The debris must be removed before crews can begin repairing washed-out guardrails and undermined pavement.

Visitors can still reach Yellowstone from the Pahaska Teepee or Cody through the park’s Northeast Entrance, via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and Cooke City, Mont.