Road to close tonight at 6:00 p.m. due to weather and rockfall concerns

The El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite National Park has reopened to all traffic following a rockfall that occurred during early Sunday morning. The road is anticipated to stay open, with controlled traffic, throughout the day. However, the road will close this evening at 6:00 p.m. to all vehicular traffic based on weather and rockfall concerns. The park will evaluate road and weather conditions early tomorrow morning and assess whether or not the road can be reopened. There is currently rain and snow falling in Yosemite National Park and continued precipitation is forecast over the next several days.

Visitor access to Yosemite Valley via the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) and the Wawona Road (Highway 41) is currently open. Visitors should always carry tire chains and chain control can be implemented at any time. The Hetch Hetchy Road remains closed due to a rockfall.

Visitors should be aware that there will be limited visitor services inside Yosemite Valley today, Tuesday January 10, 2017, and plan accordingly. Overnight accommodations and commercial services operated by the park concessioner are slated to fully reopen tomorrow, Wednesday January 11, 2017. Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley are open.

The Merced River in Yosemite Valley reached flood stage at Pohono Bridge (above 10 feet) Sunday afternoon. The river peaked at 12.7 feet at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017. Although there was no major flooding, park roads and infrastructure (water systems, sewer systems, etc.) and visitor facilities were impacted. The park is currently assessing the impacts and will address any repair needs in the coming days and weeks.

Park visitors are asked to be aware of hazards, including potential wet and icy road conditions, rockfall, and debris in roadways. The park has experienced significant rainfall over the past month and ground saturation could lead to hazardous conditions along park roadways.

Hetch Hetchy Road has also reopened

The El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite National Park has reopened to all vehicular traffic. The road is open and clear, yet visitors are asked to not stop along the road enroute to Yosemite Valley. The road may close again at any time in the event of hazardous driving conditions.

The Hetch Hetchy Road has reopened to all vehicular traffic.

All overnight lodging and food services have reopened. Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley are open as well.

Park visitors are asked to be aware of hazards, including potential wet and icy road conditions, rockfall, and debris in roadways. Visitors should always carry tire chains and chain control can be implemented at any time. The park has experienced significant rainfall over the past month and ground saturation could lead to hazardous conditions along park roadways.