Trail Conditions

Trail Closures

Due to previous wildfire activity, some trails in the parks are closed. Follow this link for a closure map. 

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

 

 

Warning-Recent Wildfire Burn Areas

In 2020 and 2021, the SQF Complex Fires, the Rattlesnake Fire, and KNP Complex. burned thousands of acres in the parks.

Each year, wildlfires occur in the parks and it is critical that hikers be on the lookout for trees weakened or killed by fire. 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.

 

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.

 

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

7/30/2022 - All trails in the Giant Forest area are open, with the exception of Huckleberry Trail from Squatters Cabin to the Alta Trail. Visitors may still see smoke and active fire from the prescribed burn for the area from early June, learn how to stay safe in burned areas.

Moro Rock

6/5/2022 - Open and clear.

Tokopah Falls

6/5/2022 - Open and clear.

Wilderness Trails

High Sierra Trail

7/19/2022 - The spigot is open and it's possible to get water at Bearpaw Ranger Station and in Bearpas Campground. The Bearpaw spring is low - it's recommended to get water at Buck Creek or Granite Creek.

There are drainage problems and some cliffside erosion of the trail between Bearpaw and Precipice Lake - be cautious in these areas.

Currently not stock passable between Hamilton Lake and Kaweah Gap.

Backpackers with a wilderness permit may access the Crescent Meadow Trailhead 24 hours a day, even when closed to normal traffic. Shuttle transportation is also available in summer.

Tamarack Lake:  Trail between Hamilton Lakes junction and Tamarack Lake/Elizabeth Pass junction very overgrown with vegetation; can be hard to navigate at times.

Twin Lakes Trail

6/14/2022 - Siliman Pass not stock passable due to downed trees. 

Alta Peak Trail

7/23/2022 - Water is scarce between Alta trailhead and Alta Meadow; be prepared to carry enough water through that area.

Lakes Trail (Wolverton)

7/1/2022 - Open. One large tree down along trail that isn't stock passable.

The Watchtower

6/5/2022 - Open. Snow may still be present at higher elevations, please be prepared for all winter conditions when planning your hike. 

Tablelands

No water in the Marble Fork.  Water is available at Frog Lake/Table Meadows & Topaz Lake.

Copper Mine Pass

No report available at this time. 

Colby Pass

6/27/2022 - Coming down from Colby most crossings had water an inch or two above the hopping stones.  The mountains around Colby Pass:  Midway, Little Joe, Brewer, South Guard, Sphinx, etc. have snow but are traversable.

7/4/2022 - Along the Roaring River Ranger Station area to Junction Meadow (entire Colby Pass Trail), there are ample water sources with the occasional rock or down tree near Rockslide Lake. Stock passable.

Elizabeth Pass

6/14/2022 - Some downed trees between Roarind River Station and Pass. Pass is free of snow.

   Foothills

Frontcountry Trails

Marble Falls

6/5/2022 - A prescribed burn for the Foothills area will begin in early June, more information will be posted on the Current Fires page as it becomes available. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas.

Paradise Creek

6/5/2022 - A prescribed burn for the Foothills area will begin in early June, more information will be posted on the Current Fires page as it becomes available. Learn how to stay safe in burned areas.

Potwisha to Hospital Rock

5/28/2022 - Closed due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Wilderness Trails

Middle Fork Trail

No condition reports available.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork)

7/7/2022 - Trail clear at least first two miles.  The trail becomes very vague and is easily lost at many points and ceases to exist entirely at other points. Be advised that the trail is not currently maintained and a GPS device would be useful.

Ladybug Trail (South Fork)

4/29/2022 - Some trees down on trail, more towards Whiskey Log.

Whiskey Log (South Fork)

4/29/2022 - Some trees may be down on trail.

Lower Colony Mill Trail (North Fork)

6/5/2022 - Open to Admiration Point.

Colony Mill Trail (Crystal Cave Road)

5/28/2022 - Closed from Admiration Point to Crystal Cave Road due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

   Mineral King and Kern Canyon

Frontcountry Trails

Cold Springs Nature

7/26/2022 - Open and clear.

Wilderness Trails

Big Arroyo/Kern Canyon

6/26/2022 - The streams are unremarkable along the High Sierra Trail area from Kaweah Gap to Kern Hot Springs and detour trail to Moraine Lake, but there is plenty of water found in side streams. Stock can get from Big Arroyo trail to Moraine Lake and from the Big Arroyo trail to Moraine Lake, but the area from Kern Canyon to the High Sierra Trail to the Chagoopa Pateau is not stock passable.  The High Sierra Trail to Moraine Lake detour isn't not logged and is not stock passable.
Rattlesnake Canyon has numerous trees down across the trail that are easy to hike around but are not stock passable.  Kern Canyon also has numerous trees across the trail and a pretty major trail blow out near Upper Funston Meadow.  All the creeks are easily crossable south of Kern Hot Springs, including Rock Creek.

Moraine Lake Area

7/23/2022 - There are several trees down between Big Arroyo and Moraine Lake, and numerous downed trees between Moraine Lake and Kern Hot Springs.  There are numerous hazard trees in the Moraine Lake area, and many camp spots are under hazardous trees.

Paradise Ridge Trail

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

Timber Gap

6/28/2022 - There are 29 downed trees between Redwood Meadow and the Cliff Creek/Timber Gap junction that are not stock passable.

Tar Gap

7/25/2022 - The trail is clear from Hockett Meadow to Deer Creek.

Black Rock Pass

6/5/2022 - Clear of snow.

Glacier Pass

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

Sawtooth Pass and Monarch Lake

6/28/2022 - Sawtooth Pass is traversable without any need for traction devices.  The snow level has dropped significantly.  Several trees down between Lost Canyon and Little Five Lakes, but is passable.by people.  Stock are not recommended between Lost Canyon and the first lake of Little Five Lakes; stock users may be able to lead stock around trees and area, but overall not recommended.

Farewell Gap

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

Franklin Lakes and Franklin Pass

6/5/2022 - No snow along pass.

White Chief, Eagle Lake, and Mosquito Lakes

7/15/2022 - Water at Eagle Lake is low.

Atwell-Hockett Trail

6/26/2022 - Atwell-Hockett has been logged and is now stock passable. 

Hocket Meadows Area

6/26/2022 - The Tuohy Cutoff is clear and stock passable.  South Fork Meadows to Cyclone Junction has trees down but is passable. 
7/28/2022 - Windy Gap to Quinn Meadow has numerous trees down and is not stock passable.

   Grant Grove and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area

Frontcountry Trails

Grant Grove Trails

6/5/2022 - All trails open and clear.

Panoramic Point

07/02/2022 - Open and drivable.

Wilderness Trails

Big Meadows Road

7/02/2022 - In good condition.  Road to Rowell Meadow difficult to traverse with standard sedans, but possible - take it slow and easy.

JO Pass

7/13/2022 - JO Pass is clear of snow and in good condition.  There are many downed trees and mosquitoes between it and Ranger Lake.

Seville, Ranger, and Lost Lakes and Belle Canyon

6/14/2022 - Some trees down between Seville Lake and junction, not stock passable. 

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

5/28/2022 - Remains closed due to impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.

Sugarloaf Valley and Roaring River

6/27/2022 - Numerous trees down between Comanche Meadow to Roaring River and the trail can be difficult to navigate because of the trees.  Mosquitoes bad enough along upper Roaring River that keeping a steady pace is necessary.

Cloud Canyon

6/24/2022 - Ther are sixteen trees down between Roaring River and Cloud Canyon and there are still snow fields at the head of Cloud Canyon at Lion Lakes Pass.  There are large amounts of mosquitoes that get lighter around Big Wet Meadow and much better getting closer Brewer Creek.

Longley Pass

7/11/2022 - The North Side has a 10-15' ice shelf; snow/ice equipment is recommended.

Deadman Canyon

There are many trees down first two miles from Roaring River, but it clears up. The trail can be incredibly difficult to find in the grass towards the end of the canyon.

Weaver Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

5/29/2022 - Weaver Lake is clear of snow, and the creeks are crossable.

Jennie Lake: camp at least 100 feet away from lake

5/29/2022 - Jennie Lake is clear of snow on trail, and the creeks are crossable.

   Cedar Grove and Roads End

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.
8/03/2022 - The trail from Bubbs Creek to Avalanche Pass is washed out due to storms.

Lewis Creek and Kennedy Pass

7/14/2022 - Frypan meadow via Lewis Creek:  there are at least 20 trees down between the trailhead and Frypan Meadow. The trees range from 1-foot in diameter to over 4-feet in diameter. The trail is overgrown and badly needs to be brushed; however it is still passable, but an inexperienced hiker may have some trouble in certain spots below Frypan Meadow finding the trail. The creek crossing was about a foot deep.  Not stock recommended.

Copper Creek and Granite Pass

7/14/2022 - The stretch between Simpson Meadow and Dougherty Meadow is hot and exposed and currently has no water, and there is no water available between Dougherty Creek and Horseshoe Creek, both about 10 miles stretches.  The last water is at Dougherty Creek itself.  Large trees down along the trail from Granite Pass to Simpson Meadow.

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.

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.

The creek crossing area is in Upper Paradise Campground proper. 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.

7/24/2022 - There is a large tree blocking the trail between North Sand Flats trail (trail heading east from the ranger station) and Bailey Bridge that is not stock passable for either the Woods or Bubbs Creek trails.  The South Sand Flats trail (trail initially heading southwest from the ranger station) is a recommended alternative for stock to get to the Woods or Bubbs Creek areas.

8/03/2022 - The south end of Glen Pass has significant rock fall on a section of the switchbacks. There is a large 20' precarious rock terrace. This could pose a major hazard for stock use and any movement of rock is discouraged as loose rock may fall on hikers.

8/04/2022 - Bubbs Creek to Sphinx Creek switchbacks have rock and sand debris in some areas, some patches roughly 2' deep.

East Lake

The East Creek Bridge to East Lake has completed construction.
6/27/2022 - Bubbs Creek to East Lake crossing is 1-1 1/2' deep. It's crossable at an island 1/4 mile upstream with trekking poles. Patches of moderately high mosquitoes going up some of the greener sections of Sphinx Creek, then none to speak of until Reflection Lake.  Stock passable.

Gardiner Pass

No report available at this time.

Sixty Lakes Basin

No report available at this time.

Don Cecil

No report available at this time.

Mist Falls / Paradise Valley / Woods Creek

No report available at this time.

   Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest

Wilderness Trails

East Lake

No report available at this time.

Goddard Canyon

No report available at this time.

Tehipite Valley

No report available at this time.

Middle Fork Kings

No report available at this time.

   Sierra Crest and East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin

6/26/2022 - No Trees or rocks from Bishop to Dusy Basin or LeConte Canyon; everything is stock passable.  The Inyo-side switchbacks have 2-3 20' snow patches that will be hard for stock to pass. Bishop Pass is currently not stock passable.  There is a 100 foot snow field that is 6 feet deep on the plateau of Bishop Pass. Hikers can traverse this section without the need of microspikes.

Palisade Creek

Palisade Creek at the Middle Fork Junction has swift waters 1-2 feet high, but with water shoes and trekking poles is easily crossable.

Evolution Basin

No report available at this time.

Mather Pass

7/17/2022 - Mather Pass is snow-free and stock passable.

Upper Basin

No report available at this time.

Darwin/Bench

12/7/2021 - No rocks or trees preventing stock travel from Bench to Charlotte Lake.

Piute Pass

No report available at this time.

Muir Pass

7/11/2022 - 20' long, 3' deep snow patch at the top of the pass that may make stock travel difficult. The south side has several small snow patches remaining. The north side is clear of snow and stock passable, but may have large bolders along the trail.

Lamarck Col

No report available at this time.

Pinchot Pass

7/11/2022 - Clear and stock passable.

Sawmill Pass

8/01/2022 - Sawmill Meadow and Mull Lake have experienced mudslides and there has been a great deal of boulder dropping around Sawmill.

Taboose Pass

No report available at this time. 

Baxter Pass

No report available at this time.

Kearsarge Pass

6/09/2022 - Trees have been removed from Kearsarge Pass on the Inyo side and should be stock passable.
6/04/2022 - Center Basin and Kearsarge Pinnacles area have debris slides along trail.

Forester Pass

No report available at this time. 

Shepherd Pass

7/19/2022 - Pass is snow free but still not recomended for stock.
8/03/2022 - Shepherd Pass is heavily washed out along Shepherd and Symmes Creeks.

Mount Whitney Trail

7/02/2022 - The Mt. Whitney Trail is snow free from Crabtree to the Whitney Portal.

Mt Langley

No report available at this time.

John Muir Trail (JMT)

No report available at this time.

Army Pass

6/21/2022 - Army Pass is still holding snow in areas with exposure - not recommended for most visitors. New Army Pass is largely snow free and is the recommended route.

New Army Pass

7/28/202 - Clear of snow.  No water on the trail from High Lake until the trees near the Siberian Pass/Rock Creek trail junction.

Cottonwood Pass

6/10/2022 - The Pacific Crest Trail from Cottonwood to Crabtree: trail is snow free and passable by stock. There is water at Guyot Creek but it is low.
7/28/2022 - There is no water on the trail from the Siberian Pass/Rock Creek trail junction to Chicken Spring Lake, and no water on the trail from Chicken Spring Lake to the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead.  Cottonwood Lake #3 (northernmost lake) is completely dry.

Miter Basin

7/28/2022 -  Clear of snow and plenty of water.

Kern Canyon

7/22/2022 - There are numerous trees down between Moraine Lake and Kern Hot Springs.

Guyot Pass

No report available at this time.

Rock Creek

No report available at this time.

Siberian Pass

7/23/2022 - There is a fire located in the vicinity of the pass.  The trail is open, but smoke may be visible from the trail.

 

New Army Pass, photo by N. Ver