Yosemite National Park – After weeks of closure from the onslaught of winter storms and snow damage in Yosemite Valley, the park will re-open today with limited access and services. Minimal public access will be restored starting March 18. Yosemite Valley will be open from sunrise to sunset starting Saturday, with very limited services available. Access will be via Hwy 140 only. Hetch Hetchy will also open, 8 am to 5 pm.
Conditions in Yosemite are very snowy
Alert 1, Severity danger, Conditions in Yosemite are very snowy
While several miles of paved pedestrian paths in Yosemite Valley are plowed, all hiking trails are covered in snow. Wear waterproof boots and traction devices as even plowed paths can be icy. Hiking on snow-covered trails is not recommended.
Rivers & Waterfalls: Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls are flowing high for this time of year. On March 1, snowpack was 186% of average in the Tuolumne River basin and 160% of average in the Merced River basin for this time of year.
Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or when they are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. Open trails aren’t necessarily free of hazards–by entering the wilderness, you assume responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment. Trails not listed below are open, but may be snowy and very difficult to find from about November through May/June (and may have other hazards).
While several miles of paved pedestrian paths in Yosemite Valley are plowed, all hiking trails are covered in snow. Wear waterproof boots and traction devices as even plowed paths can be icy. Hiking on snow-covered trails is not recommended.
Stay away from all rivers and creeks, which are running high and with snowbanks that may collapse.
Yosemite Valley Area
- The Lower Yosemite Fall loop trail is open, however off-trail areas remain closed. Please remain on the trail.
- The Mist Trail from its junction with the John Muir Trail above Vernal Fall footbridge to the top of Vernal Fall is closed due to icy conditions. The John Muir Trail between Clark Point and Panorama Trail junction (near the top of Nevada Fall) is closed due to dangerously icy conditions. It is possible to hike to the tops of Vernal and Nevada Falls via the winter route, although these may also be snowy and/or icy.
- The Four Mile Trail is closed.
- The boulders around the base of Lower Yosemite Fall (the off-trail area between the footbridge/viewing area and the waterfall) is closed.
- The trail to Bridalveil Fall is closed due to the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project until summer 2023.
- The Half Dome cables are down for the season. They are usually available for use starting Memorial Day weekend in May. A permit is required to hike to the top of Half Dome when the cables are up.
Wawona and Mariposa Grove Area
- The trail from the Mariposa Grove toward Wawona is closed. The western portion of the Perimeter Trail (from the Galen Clark Tree to near the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail) is also closed.
Climbing Closures
Climbing closures are in effect on several routes each year from March 1 through July 15 to protect peregrine falcons. Additionally, a free wilderness climbing permit is required for all overnight big wall climbs.
Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions
The settled base depth of 146 inches in Tuolumne Meadows is the highest since 1980, when the snow stake was put in its present location in Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Camp. The previous high mark was 140 inches set in March of 1983. The recent atmospheric river lived up to its name dropping 5.71 inches of water and 52 inches of new snow in Tuolumne Meadows.
