Trail Conditions

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 2020. 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.

 

Mather Pass

Jessie Wheeler

Here you will find the most recent trail conditions available to us. There are very few of these rangers in the field during the shoulder seasons and none in the winter months. Do not rely on regular updates during this time of year. Also, conditions are continuously changing so please be prepared for inclement weather. Winter storms start early in the High Sierra and can surprise unaware wilderness travelers, so please be prepared. 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.

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

The road into Cedar Grove and Roads End is closed for the season.

Avalanche Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

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

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

East Lake

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Goddard Canyon

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Middle Fork Kings/ Tehipite

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons. .

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Big Meadows Road is closed

JO Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Redwood Canyon

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100ft away from lake

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100ft away from lake

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Lodgepole, Wolverton, and Crescent Meadow

Twin Lakes Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Alta Peak Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Lakes Trail (Pear Lake)

1/29 - There is 8' of snow in front of the Hut. There is full snow coverage from the trailhead to the Hut.

Tablelands

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

High Sierra Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Copper Mine Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Colby Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Elizabeth Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Foothills

Middle Fork Trail

9/13 - Both the Middle Fork of the Kaweah and Eagle/Granite crossing are easily crossed by rock hopping.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

1/29 - No reports at this time.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

1/29 - No reports at this time.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

1/29 - No reports at this time.

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

The road into Mineral King is now closed for the season.

Paradise Ridge Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Timber Gap

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Tar Gap

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Black Rock Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Glacier Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Sawtooth Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Farewell Gap

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Atwell/Hockett Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

For more information on trails starting on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, contact the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Office at [phone].

Bishop Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Mather Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Upper Basin

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Piute Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Muir Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Lamarck Col

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Pinchot Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Taboose Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Sawmill Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Baxter Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons..

Kearsarge Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Forester Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Shepherd Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Mount Whitney Trail

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Army Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

New Army Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Cottonwood Pass

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Kern Canyon

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

Rock Creek

1/29 - No reports at this time. Expect winter conditons.

 

New Army Pass

Photo by N. Ver

 

Drift Fences

You may encounter "drift fences", in the wilderness. These fences are utilized to keep stock animals (horses, mules, and/or llamas) from roaming freely and impacting ecologically sensitive areas. Each fence has either a sliding pole or swinging gate across the trail for visitors to pass through. Please close all gates behind you to protect wilderness resources.