Trail Conditions

Trail Closures

Due to previous wildfire activity, some trails in the parks are closed. 

To avoid dangers while backpacking in recently burned areas, follow these tips.

 

Mather Pass

Jessie Wheeler

Here you will find the most recent trail conditions available to us. After a record-breaking winter, wilderness conditions will be snowy until late summer, and conditions may be treacherous. 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 [phone].

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.

Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Wolverton, and Crescent Meadow

Frontcountry Trails

Giant Forest Trails

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Moro Rock

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Tokopah Falls

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Muir Grove

11/10/2022 - Trails in this area are open, even though Dorst Creek Campground is closed for the 2022 season. Hikers may see the impacts of the 2021 KNP Complex Fire in the area, including burned and dead trees. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas. Expect winter conditions. 

Dorst - Lost Grove

11/10/2022 - Trails in this area are open, even though Dorst Creek Campground is closed for the 2022 season. Hikers may see the impacts of the 2021 KNP Complex Fire in the area, including burned and dead trees. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas. Expect winter conditions.

Wilderness Trails

High Sierra Trail

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Twin Lakes Trail

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Alta Peak Trail

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Lakes Trail (Wolverton)

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

The Watchtower

11/14/2022 Closed for the season. 

Tablelands

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Copper Mine Pass

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Colby Pass

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. .

Elizabeth Pass

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Foothills

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

4/13/2023 Open.

Paradise Creek

4/14/2023 Open

Potwisha to Hospital Rock

4/14/2023 Open.

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

4/27/2023 Open to foot trafil only, no stock. Maintained as far as Panther Creek. Expect much higher than seasonally normal creek crossings. 

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

5/5/2023 -  Road to the trailhead is rough and not accessible due to storm damage a mile from the trail head. Parking is Very limited. Trail washed out by multiple landslides within first mile of the trail.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

5/5/2023 -  Road to the trailhead is rough and not accessible due to storm damage a mile from the trail head.Parking is Very limited.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

11/10/2022 - Open to Admiration Point. Expect winter conditions. 

Colony Mill Trail (Crystal Cave Road)

11/10/2022 - Closed from Admiration Point to Crystal Cave Road due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

4/28/2023 The Road To Mineral King Is Closed Due To Storm Damage

Frontcountry Trails

Cold Springs Nature

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Wilderness Trails

Big Arroyo/Kern Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Moraine Lake Area

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Paradise Ridge Trail

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Timber Gap

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Tar Gap

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Black Rock Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Glacier Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Farewell Gap

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Atwell-Hockett Trail

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. . 

Hocket Meadows Area

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Frontcountry Trails

Grant Grove Trails

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Panoramic Point

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road (14S11)

11/10/2022 - In good condition.  Road to Rowell Meadow difficult to traverse with standard sedans, but possible - take it slow and easy. Expect winter conditions. 

Rowell Meadow Road (13S14)

11/10/2022 - The last two miles of this trailhead require driving on a rough dirt road. It is recommended to bring a vehicle with higher ground clearance and more off road capabilities. Expect winter conditions. 

JO Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

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

11/10/2022 - Remains closed due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Cloud Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Longley Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Deadman Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. . 

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Cedar Grove and Roads End

4/28/2023 The Road To Cedar Grove Is Closed Due To Storm Damage

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek

6/5/2022 - No report available at this time.

Zumwalt Meadow

6/5/2022 - The accessible boardwalk loop trail is closed, please stay on the marked trail.

River

6/5/2022 - No report available at this time.

Cedar Grove North Side

6/5/2022 - No report available at this time.

Lightning Creek

6/5/2022 - No report available at this time.

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

6/27/2022 - Avalanche Pass is clear of snow, and has a few water sources flowing well above the named creeks.

8/09/2022 - Avalanche Pass is free and clear of debris and not washed out. 

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

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.

Woods Creek Bridge damaged along the Rae Lakes Loop

The Woods Creek Bridge sustained significant damage during the record-breaking winter of 2022-23. As of May 2023, it is not usable. No time frame is currently in place for repair. 

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.

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

East Lake

The East Creek Bridge to East Lake has completed construction.
4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. .

Gardiner Pass

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

Sixty Lakes Basin

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

Don Cecil

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

Mist Falls / Paradise Valley / Woods Creek

4/28/2023 Expect Winter Conditions and higher than seasonably average snow levels. 

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

 

JMT/PCT - North of Evolution Valley

5/8/2023 - Expect winter conditions.The South Fork San Joaquin River Bridge (PCT mile 854.5) along the PCT/JMT in the north of Kings Canyon has been severely damaged by winter storms.  Do not plan to use the bridge and plan trips with alternate routes. 

East Lake

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Goddard Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Tehipite Valley

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Middle Fork Kings

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Palisade Creek

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Evolution Basin

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Mather Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Upper Basin

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Darwin/Bench

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Piute Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Muir Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. .

Lamarck Col

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Pinchot Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Sawmill Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Taboose Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Baxter Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Kearsarge Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 
 

Forester Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions.  

Shepherd Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. .

Mount Whitney Trail

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Mt Langley

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

John Muir Trail (JMT)

05/30/2023 - Two bridges have been badly damaged by the winter and are currently unusable. These include the San Joaquin Bridge (approximately three miles south of the Kings Canyon north boundary) and the Woods Creek Bridge, which is also part of the Rae Lakes Loop. At this time, the river is extremely high and not crossable on foot in either location. 

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Army Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

New Army Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Cottonwood Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Miter Basin

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. .

Kern Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Guyot Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Rock Creek

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Siberian Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

 

New Army Pass, photo by N. Ver