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 closed for the season at the Hume Lake turnoff.

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

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

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

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

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek

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

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

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

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road

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

JO Pass

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

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

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

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

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

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

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

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

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

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

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

Alta Peak Trail

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

Lakes Trail (Pear Lake)

12/10 - Watchtower Trail closed for the winter.

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

Tablelands

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

High Sierra Trail

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

Copper Mine Pass

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

Colby Pass

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

Elizabeth Pass

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

Frontcountry Trails

Giant Forest Trails

2/20 - most trails in the Giant Forest are snow covered and very icy; visitors are encouraged to hike with traction devices/trekking poles. Some trails may require snowshoes or skies and good winter route finding skills. The lower General Sherman tree trail has a snow free path to the tree but parking is extremely limited and often full.

Foothills

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

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

2/9/2021 - visitor reported this trail is snow free up to 4000' elevation; Moro Creek running high and swift (knee deep) in the afternoon and reported to be very cold; two yucca stalks are down over the trail about a mile apart but are not reported to be blocking the trail; ticks are out but not very numerous; Panther Creek is cold but can be crossed fairly easily. Report only available to Panther Creek.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

1/28 - closed.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

1/28 - closed.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

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

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

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

Paradise Creek

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

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Mineral King road is closed for the season.

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

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

Black Rock Pass

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

Glacier Pass

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

Sawtooth Pass

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

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

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

Atwell/Hockett Trail

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

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

As the pandemic evolves in California, closures and restrictions may impact your travel. Be sure to check online or by calling visitor centers for National Forests to learn if the most recent regional stay at home orders and/or access limitations have an impact on your plans.

For more information on trails starting on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, contact the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office at [phone] or check their trail conditions page for more information.

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

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

Evolution Basin

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

Mather Pass

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

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

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

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

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

Forester Pass

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

Shepherd Pass

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

Mount Whitney Trail

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

Mt Langley

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

John Muir Trail (JMT)

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

Army Pass

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

New Army Pass

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

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

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

Siberian Pass

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

 

New Army Pass, photo by N. Ver