Rahul Somvanshi
Yosemite National Park was closed on 25 February due to severe storms and snow accumulation, which led to damages and road closures. On 18 March the park partially reopened, but only limited services and access are available at the moment. Yosemite National Park has faced back-to-back storms that led to severe weather conditions, including heaps of snow as deep as 40 inches.
The reopening task has been a monumental effort due to road damages, debris flows, and slope failures along park roads, among other challenges. Yosemite Valley is now open for 24 hours throughout the day, while other areas inside the park still remain inaccessible or partially accessible. The park authorities have been clearing roads, walkways, and fire hydrants and fixing rockslides, debris flows, and other slope failures along park roads.
Yosemite National Park officials have announced the reopening of Big Oak Flat Road and Wawona Road with required chains. Badger Pass Road remains closed until further notice, while the Mariposa Grove will remain closed for safety reasons. The hiking trails to the Tuolumne and Merced Groves are covered in several feet of snow and are not fit for hiking without waterproof boots and traction devices.
Visitors should call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check the current situation, road conditions before planning any trip to Yosemite National Park. Even with the limited services and access, Yosemite National Park is open to visitors, offering breathtaking views of nature and also offering a chance to witness the aftermath of the severe storms and snow accumulation. Due to continued work by the National Park Service and Yosemite Hospitality crews it is possible for the park to partially reopen, and visitors are now urged to comply with the park’s safety guidelines to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
