Unexpected Waterfall In Zion

Weeping Rock at Zion National Park in Utah gets its name from ground water--under normal conditions-- seeping down from above causing a "drip-drip" effect along the lower edge of the alcove overhang. Damp moss along the rim gives it a striking "hanging gardens" visual appearance. However, when rain is heavy and persistent the weeping can turn into a full-fledged "sob." These two images taken around 12:37 PM, MDT on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, show the latter condition. A resumption of continuous rain suddenly changed the "drip-drip" to an avalanche of water, rock and soil spilling over the Weeping Rock alcove rim (top image) in just over a half-hour's time. In the bottom image, alarmed and awestruck tourists observe and photograph the event from under the shelter of the alcove.