Trail Conditions

Warning-Recent Wildfire Burn Areas

Each year, wildlfires occur in the parks. In 2021, the SQF Complex Fires and the Rattlesnake Fire burned significant acreage in Sequoia National Park. Other small fires occurred elsewhere.

Whether you are hiking in an area of recent or past fire, know the risks. Traveling through these areas can result in injury or even death.

• Be aware of hanging, dead limbs.
• Recognize that fire-weakened trees can fall at any time.
• Be aware of unstable slopes, rolling debris, and other hazards.

 

Dillonwood Sequoia Grove Closure

In Sequoia National Park, the Dillonwood Grove area remains closed following the SQF Complex fires. Other closures are found on neighboring forest land. Please visit the Sequoia National Forest and Inyo National Forest websites for additional information.

 

 

Mather Pass

Jessie Wheeler

Here you will find the most recent trail conditions available to us. Conditions are continuously changing and wilderness hikers need to plan for inclement weather. Winter storms start early in the High Sierra and can surprise unaware wilderness travelers. 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 [phone].

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

 

Cedar Grove and Roads End

Highway 180 to Cedar Grove is open for the season at the Hume Lake turnoff. Anticipated closing date is November 15, 2021 at 12pm.

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

6/20 - No report available at this time.

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

5/23 - The trail exposed with some overgrown vegitation, and there is very little water available.

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

6/4 - Copper Creek Trail is clear to Upper Tent Meadow.

Woods Creek, Bubbs Creek, and Glen Pass (Rae Lakes Loop)

Lower Paradise Valley Temporary Camping Closure
Due to the number of dead and hazardous trees in this area, camping is temporarily prohibited in the designated Lower Paradise Valley camp sites. This closure will remain in effect until campsites can be inspected and hazard trees removed.

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 will not begin before 2021. Depending on conditions, crossing the South Fork of the Kings River 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.

5/25 - Bubbs Creek Trail clear to Vidette Meadow/PCT Junction

6/9 - On Glenn Pass the south side is snow free, the north side has approximately 30% snow coverage, boots, traction devices, and poles recomended.

6/18 - North side of Glenn pass has one small patch of snow, otherwise snow free.

6/19 - There are several large downed trees on both Woods Creek and Bubbs Creek after a storm on 6/18. Not stock passable.

Gardiner Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Sixty Lakes Basin

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Don Cecil

6/11 - Several downed trees, may be difficult for stock.

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek

5/23 - The trail is clearly visable with several downed trees and some overgrown vegitation.

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

East Lake

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Goddard Canyon

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Tehipite Valley

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Middle Fork Kings

6/14 - Trail is clear, but low elevation. Expect hot weather and low streams. There is no water at Redwood Meadow.

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road

5/29 - Big meadows road is open, no snow all the way to Fox Meadow.

JO Pass

5/29 - JO Pass is clear of snow and in good condition.

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions. Road access may be limited in winter.

Redwood Canyon

6/19 - Redwood Creek is dry. Big Springs is also dry.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

6/5 - Rowell Meadow to Roaring River is snow-free. One water crossing at Sugarloaf Creek. Log cleared from switchback near RR station, now passable to stock.

6/11 - Roaring River to Avalanche Pass not recomended for stock due to downed trees and burned areas. Trail clear from Avalanche to Bubbs.

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

5/29 - Weaver Lake is clear of snow, and the creeks are crossable.

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

5/29 - Jennie Lake is clear of snow on trail, and the creeks are crossable.

Frontcountry Trails

Panoramic Point

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions. Road access may be limited in winter.

Lodgepole, Wolverton, and Crescent Meadow

Wilderness Trails

Twin Lakes Trail

5/9 - Several Large fallen trees cross the trail, and small patches of snow on the way to Cahoon Meadow. Increasing snow cover at Cahoon Gap, and towards the J.O Pass Trail junction. There is still some ice on the lakes.

5/31 - Twin Lakes Trail over Silliman Pass is clear to Ranger Lake, through Jennie Lakes Wilderness, and back to J.O. pass (via Rowell Meadow). Some areas of errosion after J.O. Pass heading back towards J.O./Silliman junction. The trail may be become mildly unclear as a result. Approximately a dozen downed trees for the entirety of the loop. Creek crossings are easily navigable.

6/9 - Creeks all low with easy crossing. There are several trees down along the trail up to 24in diameter.

Alta Peak Trail

4/6 - A park visitor reported the following trail condition: "Ice and compacted snow on the trail above 7500 feet elevation. Snow depth appears to be less than 4 feet in most places. Many small, scattered areas exposed to sunlight are snow-free; most are below 7700 feet elevation. Snow shoes not necessary on the trail, but spikes/crampons and trekking poles are strongly recommended. Cross-country skiing not possible. Snow bridges over two water crossings are still solid and stable but probably not for very much longer. Some minor postholing in the afternoons, especially in areas exposed to sunlight, and will rapidly get worse as temperatures increase. Two large trees down across the trail, about a mile apart, but both are easily detoured around. Panther Gap, itself, is relatively snow-free." Report is unverified by ranger staff at this time.

Lakes Trail (Pear Lake)

5/25 - The Watchtower Trail is open for the season

6/6 - The trail is free of snow.

Tablelands

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

High Sierra Trail

5/15 - Trail is clear of snow to Bearpaw Meadow

6/11 - From Kern Canyon To Junction Meadow 2/3 of the trail is burned but passable. There are many standing dead trees. Kern Hot Springs to Junction Meadow is not burned. Seasonal creeks are drying up.

6/19 - The vast majority of the trail is snow free and navigable without traction devices.

Copper Mine Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Colby Pass

6/5 - A visitor reported that the north side of Colby Pass had about 0.5 miles of snow.

Elizabeth Pass

6/14 - Elizabeth Pass is almost completely free of snow

Frontcountry Trails

Giant Forest Trails

6/20 - Trails in the Giant Forest are snow free.

Foothills

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

4/27/21 - A visitor reported the creek croppings were passable, ticks are present, Redwood Medow has no discernable water source. Poison Oak along the trail in the shady areas.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

6/5 - The trail is mostly clear out to Snowslide Camp. The trail goes through several burned areas. Above 8,000ft the burned area worsens and is very dusty. Creeks are flowing well, and there are many water access points. Snow above 9,000 ft.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

3/9 - Warning-recent wildfire burn area. No report available at this time.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

1/28 - no report available at this time; winter conditions possible.

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

4/16 - Trail is snow free and has 4-5 downed trees along the path. Poison oak is leafing out. Be aware of rattlesnakes and ticks along the trail as well. Best hiked early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.

Paradise Creek

4/23 - Be cautious of swift moving, cold water; ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oaks are known hazards on this and in any of the foothills area trails.

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Wilderness Trails

Paradise Ridge Trail

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Timber Gap

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Tar Gap

6/18 - Trail may be dificult for stock users

Black Rock Pass

5/25 - On the west side, the trail up to Blackrock Pass is clear of snow, with the exception of higher elevation switchbacks which are holding snow at the turns in the trail. At the top of the pass, it is holding snow on the eastern descent. The trail to the station lake is 30% snow covered.

Glacier Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

5/25 - Trail is free and clear of snow up through the switchbacks. On the long contour approaching Lower Monarch lake, there are a couple of snow patches with high risk steep inclines. The snow texture is corn/spring snow, enabling kicking into it. All camping areas at Lower Monarch Lake are clear of snow.

5/25 - On the west side, the various routes up to Sawtooth Pass are snow-free. It is presumed that the east side is still holding snow as it typically does at this time of year.

Farewell Gap

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

5/17 - The trails to Eagle and Mosquito lakes have several downed trees. There are patches of snow throughout, but no definitive snow line. The snow is soft and melting, so waterproof shoes are recomended.

6/1 - Trail is snow free to the terminus of the trail on White Chief.

Atwell/Hockett Trail

6/15 - Hocket Lakes Junction to Tuohy cut off there are several large downed trees. There are large areas of ash on the trail about 8in deep. No water source available. Not stock passable.

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

6/1 - The Bishop Pass trail has a few snow patches. One snow field blocks a switchback and is climbed aroung on the steep rocky slope with some exposure. There is a broad snow slope to cross about 1/4 mile below the pass. No significant snow on the south side of the pass. Dusy basin is mostly snow free. Many lakes have small snow banks on their shore. The highest dusy lake is the only one with an ice covering.

Evolution Basin

6/14 - South Lake to Le Conte snow free and passable

Mather Pass

6/16 - Mather Pass is snow free and passable. There are two large rock to navigate around.

Upper Basin

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Dawin/Bench

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Piute Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Muir Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Lamarck Col

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Pinchot Pass

6/16 - Pinchot Pass is snow free and stock passable.

Sawmill Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Taboose Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Baxter Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Kearsarge Pass

6/9- Kearsarge Pass is snow free

Forester Pass

6/16 - The north side of Forester Pass has 3 small patches of snow. Stock users should bring a shovel to dig out areas of snow.

Shepherd Pass

6/14 - The north side is snow free. The east side has a 100ft snow field that is passable with poles. Not recomended for stock.

Mount Whitney Trail

6/16 - Guitar Lake to Mount Whitney is snow free.

Mt Langley

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

John Muir Trail (JMT)

6/11 - Roaring River to Avalanche Pass, is hard to follow the trail in burned sections, downed trees, not recomended for stock. Clear from Avalanche to Bubbs. From Rock Creek to Tyndall Creek is snow free and passable. Several seasonal water sources are still flowing, but be prepared for them to dry up later in the season.

6/16 - The outlet near Center Basin is stock passable. However there are two fallen trees.

Army Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

New Army Pass

6/11 - New Army Pass is free of snow.

Cottonwood Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Miter Basin

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Kern Canyon

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Guyot Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

Rock Creek

6/9 - Upper Army Creek is dry, Low creek flows throughout the area.

Siberian Pass

1/28 - no report available at this time; expect winter conditions.

 

New Army Pass, photo by N. Ver