Yosemite National Park - Wilderness Conditions Update (U.S. National Park Service)

Trails Update:

All park trails are open, except:

The Mist Trail between Vernal Fall Footbridge and the top of Vernal Fall is closed for the winter; the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall is closed for the winter. Access to the tops of Vernal and Nevada Falls is still available via alternate routes.
The Four Mile Trail between Union Point and Glacier Point is closed for the winter (there is no access to Glacier Point via this trail).
The Half Dome cables are down for the season. They are usually reinstalled just before the third weekend in May. (Learn more about the Half Dome hike.)

January 7, 2009

Notices:
The Glacier Point Road beyond Badger Pass is closed for the season. Glacier Point Road is open to Badger Pass and the ski area is open. Skis and snowshoes are available for rent at the Nordic Ski School at Badger Pass.

The Tioga Road is closed for the season. There are no facilities open in Tuolumne Meadows. Be fully prepared. Bring everything you will need on your ski or snowshoe.

Please call 209/372-0200 for current road conditions.

Bear resistant food canisters are only available for rent at the Valley Visitor Center. Please come prepared with your own legal canister if you will be unable to get to the Valley Visitor Center between 9 am and 4:30 pm. Visit www.sierrawildbear.gov for a list of approved canisters. See below for updated wilderness center hours.

Trail Conditions
Recent winter storms have left the high country covered with snow. Expect wet and muddy trails. Snow will be present on trails above 4,000 feet. Be prepared for winter conditions and freezing temperatures. Most creeks are flowing. Watch out for creeks that maybe flowing underneath the snowpack.

Ski trails out of Badger Pass are open. With the recent snow, ski trails are fully covered with snow. The Glacier Point Road is frequently groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point. Check at the Badger Pass A-Frame for current conditions and which trails have been broken. Ski trail maps are also available.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.

For the latest snow pack conditions please visit the California Cooperative Snow Survey site at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/.

Wilderness Center Hours

Yosemite Valley
Self-registration permits are available at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Bear resistant food canisters are available for rent at the bookstore. Hours 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Badger Pass A-Frame
Self-registration 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the front porch. Rangers are usually in the A-Frame from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm to answer questions and assist with trip planning. Bear resistant food canisters are not available for rent during self-registration. Please come prepared with your own legal canister.

Big Oak Flat
Self-registration 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the front porch. Bear resistant food canisters are not available for rent during self-registration. Please come prepared with your own legal canister.

Wawona
Self-registration 24 hours a day 7, days a week on the front porch. Bear resistant food canisters are not available for rent during self-registration. Please come prepared with your own legal canister.

Tuolumne Meadows
Self-registration 24 hours a day, 7 day a week at the ski hut. Bear resistant food canisters are not available for rent during self-registration. Please come prepared with your own legal canister.

Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy road hours are 8 am to 5 pm. Permits and canisters may be obtained during open hours year round.

Wilderness Permit Reservation Line
The reservation line is open for the season. Permit reservations can be made 24 weeks to the day in advance of your starting date. The phone line is open Monday thru Friday 8:30 to 4:30 at 209/372-0740. For trip planning, general information, and permit reservations please visit our website http://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm or the interagency website http://www.sierranevadawild.gov/.