Winter Conditions Close the Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road For the Season in Yosemite National Park

Date: December 7, 2007

Winter conditions bring the opportunity for a variety of cold- weather activities, including snow-shoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, ice skating, and winter hiking and backcountry use.

Heavy snow and ice from the recent storm have closed the Tioga Road, the Glacier Point Road, and the Mariposa Grove for the winter season. These roads close every year when heavy snowfall and/or ice cause impassable road conditions.

The Glacier Point Road from Badger Pass to Glacier Point is closed for the season. The road from Chinquapin to Badger Pass Ski Area is open for administrative use only at this time. This portion of the road will re-open to the public when the Badger Pass Ski Area opens for the season.

Motorists are asked to use extra caution on roadways and to watch for snow removal equipment. Conditions in the park can change very quickly, and icy, wet road conditions may exist even when the weather is clear. All park roads are subject to chain control or temporary closure due to hazardous winter driving conditions. Motorists must carry tire chains while traveling in the park during winter months. Chains may become mandatory on any park road at any time. The following chain control guidelines exist:

• "R-1" requires vehicles to have mud and snow tires or tire chains
• "R-2" requires vehicles to have 4-wheel drive or tire chains
• "R-3" requires all vehicles to use tire chains.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions, as well as for winter activity information in Yosemite please call 209/372-0200 or visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/yose. For information on road conditions outside Yosemite National Park, please call Caltrans at 800/427-7623.