Wilderness Conditions

February 2013

General Conditions

Winter conditions are upon Yosemite with sunny days mixed with rain/snow storms and consistently freezing nights. Higher elevation areas of the park have significant snow on the ground, and will soon be getting more snow. Lower elevation areas such as Yosemite Valley and Wawona receive less snow, but conditions in those areas this time of year can still be snowy and icy. Lakes in higher elevation areas are freezing over, as well as slower-moving sections of streams and rivers. This information is provided to assist with trip planning, but ultimately, it is up to backpackers to be prepared for an array of conditions.

Current Trail Closures

Current trail closures are listed on the current conditions page.

Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. Open trails are not necessarily free of hazards. By entering the wilderness, you are assuming responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment.

Wilderness Permits

Free wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the Yosemite Wilderness. Permits can be obtained at the following locations.

Call 209/372-0826 (Monday-Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm) for more information. For wilderness permit reservations, call 209/372-0740.

Wilderness Permit Reservations

Yosemite Conservancy staff are working every day to process wilderness permit reservations for this summer. Fax is still the preferred method for reserving wilderness permits. The fax machine is functioning well and is receiving permit applications as fast as we can process them.

Approximately 70% of permit applications are rejected due to too many requests for the same trailhead on the same day. Most rejections are for the John Muir Trail, which is the most popular request. You will receive notice on the status of your application within two business days.

Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center

Closed for the season. Wilderness permits and bear canister rentals are available at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

Closed for the season. Wilderness permits are available by self-issue on the front porch of the Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station. Please fill out all fields of the permit completely and accurately. No bear canisters will be available for rent, so visitors must bring their own or rent from another station. There is no overnight parking allowed on Tioga Road after October 15, so please plan accordingly.

Big Oak Flat Information Station

Wilderness permits are available by self-issue on the porch of the information station. Please fill out all fields of the permit completely and accurately. No bear canisters will be available for rent, so visitors must bring their own or rent from another station. There is no overnight parking allowed on Tioga Road after October 15, so please plan accordingly.

Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio

Wilderness permits are available by self-issue on the porch of the visitor center. Please fill out all fields of the permit completely and accurately. Bear canister rentals are available at the Wawona Store daily from 8 am to 6 pm. There is no overnight parking allowed on the Glacier Point Road after October 15, so please plan accordingly.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station

Hetch Hetchy road hours are 8 am to 7 pm. Permits and bear canisters may only be obtained during open hours. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy past open hours (overnight parking is permitted in the overnight parking lot near the backpackers' campground). Some trails leaving from this area may still be closed due to the Rim Fire.

Food Storage

Bear resistant food canisters are required in the Yosemite Wilderness. Use a canister to store all food or scented items when left unattended. Remember that anything used in, on, or around the body is considered a food item. Whenever food or scented items are out, please keep them within arm's reach, even while day hiking.

If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Maintain a safe distance while making as much noise as possible. Throw small stones or pines cones toward the bear, being careful not to strike the bear on the head. If the bear returns, repeat. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until it abandons the items.