Montezuma Castle |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2025. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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November 23, 1987 Location: Entrance Road A single-engine Cessna hit the power lines going into the park, then crashed and burned on monuments grounds near the entrance. Four people were apparently on board, but it has so far proven impossible to identify either the plane or the victims. All power was cut to the monument. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has secured the scene; FAA was to arrive on-site today to begin its investigation.
Early on the morning of January 8th, much of the park was flooded when the Verde River and its tributaries overflowed their banks. Beaver Creek, which flows through Montezuma Castle and the outlying Montezuma Well, crested at about 9 a.m. Water flowed eight feet deep through the park's picnic area and over sections of the Montezuma Castle trail, and about three feet deep over the Montezuma Well outlet trail. The flooded sections of the trails were closed for several hours until waters receded. At the time of the report, the picnic area was still closed because of mud and standing water. The threat of more flooding continues due to the saturation of the watershed and the imminence of more storms. To date, damage consists of erosion along the edges of surfaced trails and the loss of approximately 100 feet of split rail fencing. [Dwayne Collier, SOAR, 1/15]
While investigating a trespass violation at Montezuma Well, rangers observed the wings of a barn owl in the suspect vehicle, which was occupied by three Canadian visitors. Subsequent investigation, including a consent search, led to the discovery of additional bird parts, including two complete barn owls, both of which had been skinned. The occupants of the vehicle claimed they were road kills collected in Utah and Nevada. Multiple citations were issued to the trio; both Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been notified. [CR, MOCA/TUZI, 4/3]
On July 5th, a rental vehicle was broken into in the park; cash and jewelry valued at $6,000 were taken. The investigation was hampered by the delay in reporting the incident to rangers. The thief or thieves entered the car, opened an overnight bag, removed the jewelry and cash, closed the bag, and locked the doors. At least one debit card was also taken and used in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Rangers and the Yavapai County SO are investigating. [Steve Sandell, CR, MOCA/TUZI, 7/10]
At about noon on March 11th, C.K., 64, of Conrad, Montana, was
at the main overlook of Montezuma Well, a detached unit of Montezuma
Castle National Monument, when she walked past the safety railing, lost
her balance, and fell approximately 60 feet to the base of a cliff
inside the well. Ranger Rex Vanderford, other park staff, and
members of Montezuma-Rimrock Fire Department responded. C.K.
received initial treatment for severe head and upper body trauma at the
scene and was later flown by medical evacuation helicopter to Verde
Valley Medical Center. She did not survive. June 15, 2022 On June 3, the park closed the Well Overlook and the beginning portion of the Overlook Trail until further notice due to hazardous bee activity. The back end of the trail remains open for access to the secondary Well overlook. Source: Montezuma Castle National Monument
The park has experienced an increase of vandalism on several of its Arizona sycamore trees. In the past, the park has utilized signage and volunteers to deter vandalism, but vandalism remained frequent. In response, the park wrapped six of its trees in burlap, a fabric that is difficult to cut and does not risk the health of the trees. Source: Cronkite News | |