Trail Conditions

Important Trail Conditions Information for Summer 2023

The San Joaquin Bridge was severely damaged during the winter of 2023. The bridge is not structurally sound and hikers should not cross it. Crossing the bridge places people in peril of death or serious injury. This bridge is at a critical river crossing along the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail. Until the park demolishes and replaces the bridge, hikers should plan to find alternate routes. 

Due to previous wildfire activity and damage from 2023 winter storms, some trails and trailhead access roads are closed. Check our trail and road closure map on the Maps page for details. 

 

Mather Pass

Mark Blevins

On this page, you will find the most recent trail conditions that are available to park staff. 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

07/10/2023 - Open. 

Moro Rock

6/14/2023 - Open 

Tokopah Falls

6/142023 - A few trees accross trail. About half way up, snow and running water covering trail. 

Muir Grove

6/14/2023 - Except patchy snow and downed trees on trail. 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

6/14/2023 - Except patchy snow and downed trees on trail. 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

08/28/2023 -  All water corssings are much higher and much faster than seasonably normal. Kaweah Gap almost entirely clear of snow, what remains is low angle.
Tyndall Creek crossing in upper Kern continues to be challenging, deep and swift pockets. Allocate extra time to find safe crossing upstream.

Twin Lakes Trail

08/28/2023 - Crossings are still high and fast for this time of year. A few downed trees on trail. Campsites dry and snow free. 

Alta Peak Trail

07/25/2023 - Clear of snow to Mehrten Meadow. Still snow coverage as you gain elevation from Mehrten Meadow.

Lakes Trail (Wolverton)

 08/17/2023 - Hump clear of snow. Some patchy, soft snow past Heather Lake. 

The Watchtower

08/17/2023 - Open. There are a handful of downed trees on the trail. 

Tablelands

08/17/2023 - Moose and Topaz Lake still mostly frozen. Snow cover up to 50%. 

Copper Mine Pass

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. 

Colby Pass

11/10/2022 Expect winter conditions. .

Elizabeth Pass

08/28/2023  - South West side snow free. North East Almost now free, one small, low angle patch near upper bowl. 

Tamarack Lake

10/03/2023 - Trail to Tamarack Lake from High Sierra Trail on East Side of Lone Pine Creek is overgrown and difficult to see trail. 

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 traffic 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)

07/02/2023 -  Road to the trailhead is rough and not accessible due to storm damage a mile from the trail head.Parking is Very limited. Cross directly North across ravine to reach the trailhead (sign crushed by a tree). Trail is slightly overgrown but  in good condition to Whiskey Log turn-off, multiple water sources flowing well.

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

08/30/2023  - Clear of snow on both sides. 

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

07/18/2023 - Snow free.  

Hocket Meadows Area

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Frontcountry Trails

Grant Grove Trails

07/01/2023 - Open

Panoramic Point

07/01/2023 - Open

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road (14S11)

06/30/2023 -  Now open, however the road west of summit meadow is damaged and closed to vehicles past this point. 

Rowell Meadow Road (13S14)

06/30/2023 - 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. 

JO Pass

08/28/2023 - Snow free, but multiple downed trees to Clover Creek. 

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

8/28/2023 - Bell Canyon to Seville Lake and Lost Lake snow free. Some downed trees on trail. Ranger lake is dry with summer conditions. 

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

07/02/2023 - Remains closed due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

8/13/2023 - Some debrees on trail. 

Cloud Canyon

8/13/2023 - North side of crossing has avalance debris, but snow mostly melted out. South side of crossingwet and marshy. 

Longley Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Deadman Canyon

07/05/2023 - Still some snow coverage, all creek crossings are high and swift water. 

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

07/25/2023 - Patchy snow. Trail can be difficult to find at times. 

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

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 / Mist Falls / Paradise Valley (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.

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.

Bubbs Creek (Rae Lakes Loop)

08/17/2023 - Many trees down on Bubbs Creek Trail, and Bubbs Creek itself is deep whitewater. Glenn Pass has hard, icy snow. Patchy snow in Rae Lakes Basin. All water crossings are high and swift. 

Glen Pass (Rae Lakes Loop)

10/03/2023 - South side of switchbacks washed out, trail may be hard to find. North side of pass has a high angle snowfield covering switchbacks. There is a trench through the snow below the trail that requires class scramling/off trail navigation. Traction devices/poles are reccommended if people choose to on snowfield because it is freezing at night.

Rae Lakes Basin (Rae Lakes Loop)

8/28/2023  -  Multiple downed trees North of Woods Creek Crossing, not passable to stock.  Downed tress accross Rae Lakes Isthmus, also not passible to stock. Plan on additional travel time for Rae Lakes area.East Lake
 

The East Creek Bridge to East Lake 

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

8/13/2023 - Trail clear of snow and trees.  

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

 

JMT/PCT - North of Evolution Valley

10/3/2023 - 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.  River is currently crossable, about knee deep. 

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

08/18/2023 - South Lake to base of Bishop pass largely snow free, switchbacks from base of Bishop to summit are largely snow free. Some snow at corners of switchbacks. Upper crossing footbridge damaged.

Palisade Creek

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Evolution Basin

08/18/2023 - Some downed trees on trail. Creek crossings are higher than typical for this time of year. There are still patches of snow. 

Mather Pass

08/17/2023 - South Fork to Mather Pass is snow free except for a few small patches. Some small snow fields on south side of pass. North side has full snow coverage up to last 500 feet of pass. Significant scrambling required to avoid snow. 

Darwin/Bench

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Piute Pass

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Muir Pass

7/17/2023 - Significant snow coverage from Big Pete Meadow to crest down to Evolution Lake. 

Lamarck Col

 

6/27/2023 - 100% snow coverage, steep and very icy.

Pinchot Pass

08/29/2023 - North Side is snow free, South Side still has a small snow field.

Sawmill Pass

08/18/2023 - Snow free on Park side of pass. Still some snow on Forest Service side. 

Taboose Pass

8/3/2023 - Still some snow on trail. Bolders on trail make trail unpassable to stock between upper and lower. 

Baxter Pass

08/18/2023- Creek crossings still high and fast for this time of year.. Avalanche debris/snow bridges near woods creek crossing, but otherwise snow free. 

Kearsarge Pass

08/18/2023 -  A few small patches of snow, but otherwise normal hiking conditions. 

Forester Pass

8/16/2023 - South side has several low angle snowfields covering switch backs up to summit. North side has medium angle snowfield just below pass for approximately 1/2 mile.  

Shepherd Pass

08/18/2023 - The Park side of Shepard Pass is snow free. The East side has a large, very steep snowfield half a mile after the top.

Mount Whitney Trail

08/28/2023 - Snow free from Crabtree to summit, except for one large low to moderate angle snowfield. Some sections of switchbacks washed out. 

Mt Langley

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

John Muir Trail (JMT)

6/27/2023 - The San Joaquin Bridge was severely damaged during the winter of 2023. The bridge is not structurally sound and hikers should not cross it. Crossing the bridge places people in peril of death or serious injury. This bridge is at a critical river crossing along the Pacific Crest Trail. Until the park demolishes and replaces the bridge, hikers should plan to find alternate routes. 

 Army Pass

8/29/2023 - Inyo side still has steep snow, with a high concequence fall,  covering last switchback near top of pass.

New Army Pass

08/29/2023 - The only snow remaining is at the top of ridge on park side of New Army Pass. The cornice on the Inyo side has melted into a steep snow wall which covers the final two switchbacks.

Cottonwood Pass

7/25/2023- Patchy snow from trailhead to Park boundry. Somewhat steep snowfield at pass. 

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

N. Ver