Trail Conditions

Important Trail Conditions Information for Summer 2024

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. 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

06/07/2024 - Open for the season.  

Moro Rock

06/07/2024 - Open for the season. 

Tokopah Falls

06/07/2024 - Open for the season. 

Muir Grove

06/07/2024 - 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. 

Dorst - Lost Grove

06/07/2024 -  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. 

Wilderness Trails

High Sierra Trail

08/11/2024 Snow free.

09/18/2024 - Bearpaw Meadow piped water has been shut off for the season. Creek running through meadow available for water source, but has fair amount of sediment.

Twin Lakes Trail

07/16/2024 - A few downed trees on trail. Snow free.

Alta Peak Trail

07/16/2024 - Snow free. Panther Gap streams running low. Mehrten meadow stream flowing well. 

Lakes Trail (Wolverton)

06/23/2024 - Open for the season.  

The Watchtower

6/10/2024 - Open for the season.  

Tablelands

6/25/2024 -  Patchy snow, especially in shaded and north facing areas.  

Colby Pass

7/18/2024 - Patchy snow. Trail obscured in some places by old rockfall. 

Elizabeth Pass

7/23/2024 - All but snow free. One patch near top on North side. 

Tamarack Lake

08/11/2024 Snow free 

Foothills

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

6/20/2024 - Open for the season.

Paradise Creek

6/20/2024 - Open for the season.

Potwisha to Hospital Rock

6/20/2024 - Open for the season.

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

6/20/2024 - Buckeye Flat Campground road is closed, park at Hospital Rock. Open to foot traffic only, no stock. 

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

08/27/2024 - Closed due to Coffee Pot Fire.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

08/27/2024 - Closed due to Coffee Pot Fire.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

6/20/2024  - Open to Admiration Point. 

Colony Mill Trail (Crystal Cave Road)

6/20/2024 - Closed from Admiration Point to Crystal Cave Road due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Mineral King Road Closes Wednesday 10/30/2024.

Frontcountry Trails

Cold Springs Nature

06/07/2024 - Snow Free. 

Wilderness Trails

Big Arroyo/Kern Canyon

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Moraine Lake Area

11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. 

Paradise Ridge Trail

08/15/2024 - Som downed trees and overgrown. 

Timber Gap

08/15/2024 - Cliff Creek crossable. 

Tar Gap/Atwell-Hocket Trails

7/21/2024 - Many downed trees and overgrown.  All water crossings were rock-hoppable and gently flowing. Hockett Meadow's Whitman Creek still flowing. Not passable to stock. 

Black Rock Pass

7/8/2024 - One small patch of snow on East side, easy to navigate around. 

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

7/26/2024 - West side of pass is snow-free and the few small snow patches on the east side of the pass are easily avoidable. On the east side, stone cairns are generally in good condition and easy to follow. The west side of Sawtooth Pass is unmaintained and requires route-finding skills.

Farewell Gap

6/25/2024 - Some patchy snow, but mostly snow free. 

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

6/25/2024 - Some patchy snow near summit. A few downed trees near the lakes. 

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

08/15/2024 - Snow free and passable. 

Atwell-Hockett Trail

06/07/2024 - Snow free but there are many tree falls and some overgrowth from Atwell to Clover Creek. Deer Creek Crossing has good visibility to the bottom. Clover Creek is charging whitewater, poor visibility to the bottom. 

Hockett Meadows Area

07/31/2024 - Sections that have been cleared by Trail Crew: Hockett Plateau, Hockett Meadow to Sam Meadow, Sam Meadow to S Fork Meadow, Tuohy Gap Trail, portions of Windy Gap Trail.

Still left to clear: Windy Gap to Quinn Cabin (50 down), Blossom Lake to S Fork Meadow Junction (50 down).

Not stock passable: Windy Gap to Quinn Cabin. All of the northern parts of the Golden Trout wilderness, which is surrounded by NPS land. Golden Trout Wilderness has poor conditions, navigation devices recommended. 

Soda Creek Trail

08/28/2024 - Avalanche debris cleared on Soda Cr. Trail, from Little Claire Lake to Lost Canyon Junction.

Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Frontcountry Trails

Grant Grove Trails

06/20/2024 - Open 

Panoramic Point

6/20/2024 - Open

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road (14S11)

6/20/2024 - Open

Rowell Meadow Road (13S14)

6/20/2024 - Open

JO Pass

8/1/2024 - Snow free, some downed trees on trail. 

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

6/26/2024 - Snow free. Many downed trees in the Belle Canyon area. Rocks and trees on trail to Ranger Lake, not stock passable. 

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

07/26/2024 - Remains closed due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Marvin Pass

07/22/2024- Marvin pass to Roaring River Ranger Station stock passable. Drift fences mostly functional. Outer lying fences NOT functional.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

8/15/2024 - Some downed trees on trail. Creek crossing are passable. 

Avalanch Pass 
08/15/2024 - Many downed trees on trail.

Cloud Canyon/Colby Pass

8/15/2024 - Many downed trees, avalanche debris - trail difficult to follow at times. Water source starting to dry up near pass. 

Longley Pass

12/12/2023 - Be prepared for ice and snow on the trail. 

Deadman Canyon

6/26/2024 - Snow free, some downed trees on trail. 

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

6/26/2024 - Snow free.  

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

6/26/2024 - Snow free.

Cedar Grove and Roads End

The Road To Cedar Grove Closes Monday 10/28/2024

Frontcountry Trails

Hotel Creek to Cedar Grove Overlook

08/15/2024 -  A few downed trees on trail. 

Zumwalt Meadow

6/14/2024 - Zumwalt Meadow is no longer a loop trail.

River

07/18/2024 - Open

Cedar Grove North Side

07/18/2024 - Open

Lightning Creek

07/18/2024 - Open

Kanawyer Loop Trail

08/15/2024-  Avalanche Creek is shin deep, but calm flow. Some downed trees.

Wilderness Trails

Avalanche Pass

8/15/2024 -  Many downed trees. Trail difficult to follow at time due to downed trees, and rock slides. 

 Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

10/04/2024 - Trail closed at junction 1.2 miles from trailhead and at Kennedy Pass due to the Happy Fire. 

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

9/18/2024 - Snow free.  Some rocks down on trail. No water on trail for 5.6 miles between Lower Tent Meadow and junction to Granite Lake

Woods Creek / Mist Falls / Paradise Valley (Rae Lakes Loop)

09/06/2024 - Snow free, some downed trees on trail. 

Cedar Grove to Suspension Bridge - Stock passable. Suspension Bridge to Glenn Pass - stock passable. 

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)

6/25/2024 - Snow free, some downed trees on trail. 

Glen Pass (Rae Lakes Loop)

8/20/2024 -  PCT/JMT from Wood Creek suspension bridge to Glen Pass has been logged and is STOCK PASSABLE! This includes the massive zone of avalanche debris from winter 2022-2023.

Rae Lakes Basin (Rae Lakes Loop)

8/15/2024 - Snow free, downed trees on trail. Not stock passable. 

The East Creek Bridge to East Lake 

07/18/2024 - Crossing at Bubbs Creek swift and deep. Still some small trees on trail. 

Gardiner Pass

08/11/2024 Snow free.

Sixty Lakes Basin

08/11/2024 Snow free. 

Don Cecil

07/18/2024 - Open

Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

JMT/PCT - North of Evolution Valley

09/11/2024 - The South Fork San Joaquin River Bridge (PCT mile 854.5) along the PCT/JMT in the north of Kings Canyon has been repaired and is open to backcountry travel.   

East Lake

7/18/2024 - Crossing at Bubbs Creek is deep and swift. Some small downed trees on trail. Drift Fence semi operational. 

Goddard Canyon

07/26/2024  -  Snow free and stock passable from the downed bridge to Martha Lake, but has some downed trees. 

LeConte Canyon

8/15/2024 - Some downed trees and rock falls. Not stock passable.  

Tehipite Valley

12/12/2023  -  Expect winter conditions.

Middle Fork Kings

7/18/2024 - Snow free. Some downed trees. 

Roaring River

8/29/2024 - Trail from Roaring River to Ranger Meadow - Stock Passable. However, trail past outlet of Big Bird Lake is NOT stock passable.

8/30/2024 - STOCK USERS: Drift fences - only functional fences are w/in 1.5 mile radius of RR Ranger Station. Stock IMPASSIBLE: Avalanche Pass, Cloud Canyon, and trail south of the outlet of Big Bird Lake in Deadman Canyon.

Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

8/15/2024 - Snow Free. Not Stock Passable due to washouts. 

Palisade Creek

8/15/2024 - Expect fallen trees on trail. Not stock passable. 

Evolution Basin

08/15/2024 - Snow free. Some trees on trail.

Mather Pass

09/12/2024 -  South side of Mather Pass clear and stock passable. North side of pass risky for stock due to boulders. 

Darwin/Bench

08/11/2024 Snow free. 

Piute Pass

08/11/2024 Snow free. 

Muir Pass

07/23/2024 - Mostly snow free, one large patch on south side, impassable to stock. 

Lamarck Col

8/28/2024 - Lamarck Col Trail to North Lake, outside the park - East side is snow free til last 150 ft. or so.

Pinchot Pass

7/12/2024 - Snow free and stock passable. 

Sawmill Pass

8/13/2024  -  Snow free. Not stock passable.

Taboose Pass

8/13/2024  -  Snow free. Not stock passable.

Baxter Pass

8/15/2024 - Snow free. Park side trail gone in sections

Kearsarge Pass

8/1/2024  -  Snow free. Stock passage - NOT recommended on most areas. 

Forester Pass

8/15/2024 - Snow free. Trail narrow in points due to rockfalls. Maybe be difficult for stock. 

Harrison Pass

07/21/2024- Still holding snow, climbers could go to left or right of it but last 300-400ft unavoidable and self-arrest tools strongly recommended. 

Shepherd Pass

7/31/2024 - East Side/Forest Service side of Shephard Pass is snow free. Still not stock passable. 

Mount Whitney Trail

7/14/2024 - Snow free on trail and summit. 

Mt Langley

12/12/2023  -  Expect winter conditions. 

John Muir Trail (JMT)

6/26/2024 -.The South Fork San Joaquin River Bridge (PCT mile 854.5) along the PCT/JMT in the north of Kings Canyon was severely damaged by winter storms and has been removed. Construction to start in summer of 2024.   

Army Pass

07/16/2024 - Large, steep snow patch.

New Army Pass

07/16/2024 - Small, low angle snow patch near top. 

Cottonwood Pass

8/15/2024 - No Watter Source between Chicken Spring Lake and Rock Creek Ranger Station. 

Miter Basin

12/12/2023  -  Expect winter conditions.

Kern Canyon

7/31/2024  -  All stock passable: Coyote Pass to Kern Canyon Ranger Station (just 15 trees down), Rattlesnake to Franklin Pass Jct (just 15 trees down). 

Guyot Pass

12/12/2023  -  Expect winter conditions.

Rock Creek

8/15/2024 - All crossings managable. 

Siberian Pass

07/26/2024  -  One mile from PCT, headed south towards park boundary/Siberian Pass - difficult to follow; significant water runoff from drainages. Whole mile is stock passable; 2nd half of trail easier to follow in meadow section. 

Siberian Outpost

07/26/2024 - Trail for Siberian Pass, headed west (only shown on some maps; included on stock maps) - unable to identify remnants. Cross-country navigation skills recommended, but fairly easy to navigate on open terrain.

 

New Army Pass

N. Ver