Trapped In Earthquake Canyon : Personal Account of Surviving the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake

Objects flew at us in the dark. Cupboards, pans and dishes were all over, grinding and smashing violently. A forty-gallon water tank and a large iron stove hit the floor simultaneously. The logs of the cabin squealed and groaned. Terror gripped my heart and panic seized me. Though I knew that my wife was beside me in bed, I had no idea what was happening to the children. ?My babies! My babies!? came Gloria?s cry. -Dean Roberts It was the summer of 1959 when the Roberts family decided to take their first vacation in five years. When they reached West Yellowstone, Montana, a fateful decision was made to continue on until they arrived at the majestic Madison Canyon below the Hebgen Lake Dam. A rustic cabin was rented in a peaceful and serene location along the Madison River. They went to bed dreaming of catching rainbow trout, hiking mountain trails and observing wildlife. At 11:37 pm., their dreams turned into night terrors when they were jolted awake by a 7.5 earthquake! They tried to escape. In one direction, the road was blocked by a deadly mountain slide and in the other direction, the highway had dropped into the lake. They were trapped in Earthquake canyon! Trapped in Earthquake Canyon is the true story of a family surviving the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake.