Yosemite National Park Open with Limited Services

Yosemite National Park Open with Limited Services
Date: March 24, 2011

All roads into Yosemite National Park have reopened this morning, pending weather and safety along the roadways. This includes park entrances via Highways 120, 140, and 41. The park is open to visitors until 7:00 p.m. this evening. Reservations for rooms in the park will be honored this evening. The Hetch Hetchy Road and the Badger Pass Road will remain closed until further notice.

Yosemite National Park will be fully open to the public beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 25, 2011. Again, this is contingent upon the weather and safety on the roads. There is no electrical power throughout the park and power is projected to be restored sometime this weekend. Generator powered lodging will be available in Yosemite Valley beginning Friday evening. Heated tent cabins will also be available at Curry Village.

Limited food and retail services are available to the public today, and full services will return on Friday. Badger Pass Ski Area will remain closed throughout the weekend. Additionally, all campgrounds in Yosemite Valley will remain closed until noon on Monday, March 28.

The Merced River Plan (MRP) Recreation Workshop that was scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2011, has been postponed due to the winter storm activity. A new date for the workshop has not been determined.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until Friday morning. Current road conditions in Yosemite National Park and park operating hours are available by calling 209-372-0200. Road conditions outside of Yosemite can be found by calling 1-800-427-7623.

Bus service to Yosemite via the Highway 140 corridor on the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will begin an abbreviated schedule tomorrow, March 25. Buses into Yosemite Valley will include Runs 2, 3, and 5. Buses leaving Yosemite Valley will include Runs 9, 11, and 12. YARTS will begin the regular weekend schedule beginning Saturday, March 26. Please check http://www.yarts.com for current schedules.

The park anticipates returning to full operations by Monday, March 28, 2011.

"It is now possible to enter Yosemite via Highways 140 and 120 from the west for day use only, from 7 am to 7 pm; chains required. Existing overnight lodging reservations will be honored. All park campgrounds will remain closed until Monday, March 28, when the park anticipates returning to full operation.

Carry tire chains in your car and be prepared to use them (even if you have four-wheel drive): chains may become mandatory at any time."

March 24, 2011:
- Yosemite National Park remains closed at this time. A second strong winter storm has brought more snowfall to the park. Power has not been restored to most of the park and it is not expected to be restored until Sunday March 27th at the earliest. All campground reservations affected will be fully refunded by calling 1-888-448-1474 (TDD - 1-877-833-6777).

CALTrans has closed Hwy 140 due to several rock slides and numerous fallen trees. Clean-up crews are on scene, but at this time, there is no estimated reopening. Hwy 140, 41, and 120 inside the park will not be accessible until snow, rocks, and trees can be removed. For the most up to date road and weather conditions inside the park, call 209-372-0200; outside the park, call 1-800-427-7623.

SR 140
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
IS CLOSED FROM 1 MI EAST OF MARIPOSA TO EL PORTAL (MARIPOSA CO) - DUE
TO A ROCK SLIDE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

Today, the winter storm warning expires; however, the park remains without power, with an outlook for restoration of power and sunny skies sometime this weekend. A special recognition needs to go to the utilities group which continues providing exceptional service to maintain generator power at critical facilities, the road crews as they operate heavy equipment during snow removal operations, forestry crews/firefighters for hazard tree abatement, the tireless efforts of dispatch, information staff who have kept communities and the media well informed, and law enforcement staff deployed to provide public safety. Behind the scenes administrative staff and contracting are keeping things moving forward while finance works to get everyone paid. Thanks for the collective team effort, the countless numbers of staff involved, and all the DNC and NPS staff for their commitment.

Additional landslides outside the park on Highway 140 forced the closure of the road by CalTrans at 7pm Thursday. An assessment is underway this morning to determine the extent of damage and begin the process of clean up to reopen the road. NPS roads and forestry crews are assisting CalTrans with road clearing and the first priority is to allow administrative access for emergency vehicles and PG&E. No estimated time has been given by CalTrans. A road closure is being staffed by NPS and CHP.

Phone service has been restored to Yosemite West as of this morning.

Is the 140 still closed? My family is planning to head up Monday. Is there an alternative route?

Quote
Sherry
Is the 140 still closed? My family is planning to head up Monday. Is there an alternative route?

Highway 140 is open.

SR 140
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
VEHICLES OVER 45 FEET ARE PROHIBITED & 1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FOR ALL
OTHER VEHICLES 20 MI EAST OF MARIPOSA (MARIPOSA CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK
- DUE TO SLIDE REPAIRS

Thank-you Rick. All the roads were open during our trip last week.

All the roads should be opened now. Just drive slowly due to debris. They have mostly been moved off the roads already.