Trail Conditions

A storm approaches Mather Pass — Mather Pass
Mark Blevins

On this page, you will find the most recent trail conditions that are available to park staff. Recent wildfires throughout the parks have created tree hazards and other safety concerns for hiking in burned areas.

Do not rely on trail updates in spring, fall, and winter when there are very few rangers in the field. Consider all possibilities before you head out on your trip and check out the Trail Safety page for more information on the potential hazards of wilderness travel. For the most up to date information on frontcountry trails, check in at the visitor center closest to your trailhead. Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips.

You can help us by sending an email to report trail conditions. For more information please call the Wilderness Office at (559) 565-3766.

For snowpack data, visit the California Department of Water Resources snow survey website.

Trail Conditions by District

Trail conditions will be updated as information is reported by park staff and backcountry users. During fall, winter, and spring seasons, and during periods when our wilderness ranger stations are not staffed, trail conditions reports are received less frequently. If conditions are not available, please speak with a park ranger or the Wilderness Permit Office for more information.

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek to Cedar Grove Overlook

05/05/2025 - A few downed trees on trail. Trail to Cedar Grove Overlook, and between Lewis Creek Trailhead and Hotel Creek Trailhead completely obscured by fire damage. Hikers may see the impacts of the 2024 Happy Fire in the area, including burned and dead trees. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas.

Zumwalt Meadow

6/14/2024 - Zumwalt Meadow is no longer a loop trail.

River

05/14/2025 - Open

Cedar Grove North Side

05/14/2025 - Open

Lightning Creek

05/14/2025 - Open

Kanawyer Loop Trail

05/22/2025 - Open

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

06/14/2025 - Many trees down on trail. Trail washed out on the south side of the pass. Route-finding skills necessary.

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

05/05/2025 - A few downed trees before junction with hotel creek trail. Hikers may see the impacts of the 2024 Happy Fire in the area, including burned and dead trees. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas.

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

07/27/2025 - Snow free. Stock passable to Granite Pass.

Woods Creek / Mist Falls / Paradise Valley (Rae Lakes Loop)

07/27/2025 - South Fork of the Kings River has slowed considerably and is knee deep. Best crossing is about 100 ft below bridge site.

South Fork Kings River Bridge washed out along the Rae Lakes Loop

The South Fork Kings River Bridge above Paradise Valley washed out during the winter of 2016-2017. Construction of a replacement bridge has not begun.

These river crossings can be extremely hazardous. Observe conditions carefully and then evaluate the risk of crossing. Be prepared to turn back. If you hike the Rae Lakes Loop beginning from Bubbs Creek, plan for the possibility that you may have to backtrack to safely reach Cedar Grove.

Note on Upper Paradise Campground - There are multiple trails in the campground area that tend to confuse hikers: one that leads north and three at the suspension bridge, including one that goes due east from there that is not the correct trail. Hikers doing the Rae Lakes Loop want to follow the trail that goes south (downstream) from the suspension bridge. This trail will soon shift to heading in an east/west direction.

Bubbs Creek (Rae Lakes Loop)

06/02/2025 - Trail clear to Junction Meadow.

Glen Pass (Rae Lakes Loop)

07/26/2025 - Snow free.

Rae Lakes Basin (Rae Lakes Loop)

06/10/2025 - Almost full snow cover throughout lakes basin. Creek crossings are high, fast, and cold.

Kearsarge Pass

07/04/2025 - Snow free.

The East Creek Bridge to East Lake

07/27/2025 - Crossing at Bubbs Creek is knee deep with fast current. Use caution when crossing. Past the bridge trail is not stock passable due to downed trees.

Sixty Lakes Basin

07/04/2025 - Snow free.

Don Cecil

06/10/2025 - Snow free, a few trees on trail.

Sphinx Pass

8/20/2025 - Clear of snow and passable. There is no visible trail beyond Sphinx Meadow.

Current Conditions

Check this page for current information about what's currently open in the parks.

A ranger at a desk talks with a person. Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone.

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits must be reserved in advance between Memorial Day weekend and mid-September.

A distant hazy sky with particulate matter forms over Sierra mountains.

Air Quality

Ozone and other air pollutants are common here. Learn more-view our air-quality index forecast.

Last updated: August 20, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Phone:

559 565-3341

Contact Us

Trail Conditions

Trail Conditions by District

Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Wolverton, and Crescent Meadow

Frontcountry Trails

Giant Forest Trails

Moro Rock

Tokopah Falls

Muir Grove

Dorst - Lost Grove

Wilderness Trails

High Sierra Trail

Silliman Pass

Alta Peak Trail

Lakes Trail (Wolverton)

The Watchtower

Tablelands

Colby Pass

Elizabeth Pass

Tamarack Lake

Foothills

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

Paradise Creek

Potwisha to Hospital Rock

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

Colony Mill Trail (Crystal Cave Road)

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Frontcountry Trails

Cold Springs Nature Trail

Wilderness Trails

Big Arroyo/Kern Canyon

Moraine Lake Area

Paradise Ridge Trail

Timber Gap

Tar Gap/Atwell-Hocket Trails

Black Rock Pass

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

Farewell Gap

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

Atwell-Hockett Trail

Hockett Meadows Area

Soda Creek Trail

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Frontcountry Trails

Grant Grove Trails

Panoramic Point

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road (14S11)

Rowell Meadow Road (13S14)

JO Pass

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

Redwood Canyon (Hart Tree, Sugar Bowl, Big Springs)

Marvin Pass

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

Cloud Canyon/Colby Pass

Longley Pass

Deadman Canyon

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

Cedar Grove and Roads End

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek to Cedar Grove Overlook

Zumwalt Meadow

River

Cedar Grove North Side

Lightning Creek

Kanawyer Loop Trail

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

Woods Creek / Mist Falls / Paradise Valley (Rae Lakes Loop)

Bubbs Creek (Rae Lakes Loop)

Glen Pass (Rae Lakes Loop)

Rae Lakes Basin (Rae Lakes Loop)