Trail Conditions

Wilderness Travel Affected by KNP Complex Wildfire

Due to wildfire activity, some wilderness areas in the parks are closed. Follow this link for a complete closure map. Open and closed areas in the wilderness of Sequoia National Park are still being decided on and this map may not be up to date.

Wilderness permits are free at this time of year. Please visit the nearest self-issue permit station for a permit. Self-register for wilderness permits for the Middle Fork trail at Foothills Visitor Center just inside the Sequoia National Park entrance. 

Bear in mind that some trailheads are not reachable by vehicle. Others trailheads are closed for trail exit. Please make sure you enter and exit trailheads found in open areas.

 

 

Warning-Recent Wildfire Burn Areas

In 2020 and 2021, the SQF Complex Fires, the Rattlesnake Fire, and KNP Complex. burned thousands of acres in the parks.

Each year, wildlfires occur in the parks and it is critical that hikers be on the lookout for trees weakened or killed by fire. 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.

 

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 closed for the season at the Hume Lake turnoff. Anticipated opening is April 2022.

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

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.

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Gardiner Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Sixty Lakes Basin

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Don Cecil

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time.

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

East Lake

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Goddard Canyon

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Tehipite Valley

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Middle Fork Kings

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

JO Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Redwood Canyon

4/29/2022 - Remains closed due to impacts from the KNP Complex Fire.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Frontcountry Trails

Panoramic Point

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Lodgepole, Wolverton, and Crescent Meadow

Wilderness Trails

High Sierra Trail

12/10/2021 Closed from the Sugar Pine Trail to the Burial Tree. Expect winter conditions.

Twin Lakes Trail

12/7/2021 - Portions remain closed due to impacts from the KNP Complex Fire. Expect winter conditions.

Alta Peak Trail

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Lakes Trail (Pear Lake)

4/7/2022 - Some downed trees along trail with patchy snow. Snow completely obscures trail just past Hump Trail Junction at just over 8,250 feet elevation.

Tablelands

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Copper Mine Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Colby Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Elizabeth Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Frontcountry Trails

Giant Forest Trails

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Foothills

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

11/23 No condition reports available. Expect winter conditions.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

4/29/2022 - Trail clear at least first two miles.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

4/29/2022 Some trees down on trail, more towards Wiskey Log.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Paradise Creek

4/29/2022 - A few small trees down along trail.

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Wilderness Trails

Big Arroyo/Kern Canyon

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Paradise Ridge Trail

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Timber Gap

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Tar Gap

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Black Rock Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Glacier Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Farewell Gap

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Atwell/Hockett Trail

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Evolution Basin

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Mather Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Upper Basin

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Dawin/Bench

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Piute Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Muir Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Lamarck Col

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Pinchot Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Sawmill Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Taboose Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Baxter Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Kearsarge Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Forester Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Shepherd Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Mount Whitney Trail

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Mt Langley

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

John Muir Trail (JMT)

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Army Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

New Army Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Cottonwood Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Miter Basin

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Kern Canyon

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Guyot Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Rock Creek

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

Siberian Pass

12/7/2021 - No report available at this time. Expect winter conditions.

 

New Army Pass, photo by N. Ver