Wilderness Conditions Update

General Conditions

June 12, 2025

Wildflowers are blooming, temperatures are rising to summer levels, and snow is melting in the higher elevations. While some seasonal creeks are drying up, named creeks remain flowing. Expect many unbridged crossings to be swift and cold. Snow is patchy starting around 9,000 feet. Mosquitos have hatched but have not yet peaked. Trees down from winter storms have not yet been cleared and can slow travel in some places. Plan ahead, be flexible, and prepare for route finding and to get wet feet. Stay on the trails to protect the meadows!

• The cables on Half Dome are up. A Half Dome permit is required. Learn more about the Half Dome hike.
• The vault toilets at Little Yosemite Valley, and Sunrise and Glen Aulin High Sierra Camps remain open year-round.
• Tioga Road is open. Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus is operating. Tioga Road trailheads remain on self registration only at Tuolumne Wilderness Center through June 6 . Bear cans are not available to rent at this location at this time, so plan accordingly. YARTS begins service on Tioga Road starting June 1.

Yosemite Valley

• Trails leaving the valley up to the north and south rims are clear of snow.

• The Mist Trail from its junction with the John Muir Trail (above Vernal Fall footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall will detour to the John Muir Trail Mondays through Thursdays from 7 am to 3:30 pm from July through October (dates and times subject to change). The trail will be open Fridays through Sundays and on holidays. The Mist Trail is open from 3:30 pm to 7 am daily but may occasionally detour to the John Muir Trail overnight for safety reasons. The John Muir Trail is an alternate route to the top of Vernal Fall and facilitates Mist Trail repair work.

• Trail is clear and dry from Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Creek/Clouds Rest Junction continuing to the top of Clouds Rest (south facing). The north -facing side of Clouds Rest continues to be patchy with snow.

• The Merced River Canyon is clear with minimal flooding from Little Yosemite Valley to Merced Lake.

• Snow Creek switchbacks are sun-warmed, and rattlesnakes have been observed.

• Panorama Trail is clear.

Wawona

• The trail up the Chilnualna Falls trail is clear of trees and dry. All crossing are passable.
• The Buena Vista loop ranges from muddy and wet to a flowing stream increasing to snowy as one gains elevation. Patchy snow is present around Crescent Lake, Johnson Lake, Buena Vista Lake, and the pass to Buena Vista Pass. The trail between Johnson and Crescent Lake has flowing water on it.
• Rattlesnakes have been observed.
• Some bear activity reported near Turner Meadow. Empire Meadow is overgrown in places.

Hetch Hetchy

• Wapama Falls bridge is passable. Mist bellows over it and water covers the path and bridges in places.
• Due to bear activity, camping is discouraged around Lake Vernon.
• Frog Creek can be harder to cross due to high flows as of mid-June, with up to three feet of swiftly moving water.
• Water on the trail in Tiltill Valley extends for 300-400 feet and is four to twelve feet deep in Tiltill Valley.
• Seasonal creeks have mostly dried up. Plan to carry adequate water until you reach rivers or lakes.

Glacier Point Road

• Artist Creek, Meadow Brook, and Bridalveil Creeks have water.
• Mono Meadow is wet and has section of water up to two feet deep for short sections. Stay on trail to reduce impacts on the meadow.
• Illilouette Creek is 30 feet wide and 3 feet deep in places with moderately swift water.

Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows

• Snow is melting quickly but may impact navigation starting around 9,000 feet on north-facing or shaded aspects. Anticipate walking through water along the trails. Stay on trails to protect meadows and surrounding habitat.
• River and creek crossings remain high and swift. Navigate with caution.
• The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne has over 100 downed trees reported. Creek crossing in the Canyon are 2-3 feet deep and moderately swift. Water is on the trail in sections. Be aware of rattlesnakes.
• The outlet to Tenya Lake is 200 feet across and three feet deep. Delaney Creek is three feet deep and 20 feet across.
• PCT hikers are not eligible for side trips to Yosemite Valley without an additional permit. The Tuolumne Meadows Post Office is open. Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campground is closed until the campground opens.

Outside of Yosemite

• Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Valley: Expect limited access again in 2025. Learn more about the closure and shuttle schedule.

Current Closures

All current trail closures are listed on the current conditions page.

Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or are impassable due to rock fall, snow, ice, or fire. Open trails are not necessarily free of hazards. By entering the wilderness, you are assuming responsibility for your safety and must use good judgment.

General Conditions by Season

If you're looking for an idea of what to expect at a different time of year, we have information about general conditions by season. Keep in mind that there is no "normal" condition for any particular season, so conditions often vary considerably from year to year.

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the Yosemite Wilderness. Reserved permits can be picked up at the following locations:

Wilderness Permit Reservations

All wilderness permits are available by reservation at Recreation.gov (help desk available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Reservations are available up to 24 (168 Days) weeks to 3 days ahead of your entry date. Reservations are available for the areas covered by each wilderness center listed below until the closure date of the wilderness center. Then, permits are still required by available by self-registration.

Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Big Oak Flat Information Station

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Wilderness permits available, maps for sale, and bear canisters for rent.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station

Hetch Hetchy Road is open from sunrise to sunset. Pick up reservations for wilderness permits at any of the other wilderness centers in 2025. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy beyond open hours (overnight parking is permitted in the overnight parking lot near the backpackers campground).

Food Storage

Bear resistant food canisters are required in the Yosemite Wilderness. Use a canister to store all food or scented items when left unattended. Remember that anything used in, on, or around the body is considered a food item. Whenever food or scented items are out, please keep them within arm's reach, even while day hiking.

If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Maintain a safe distance while making as much noise as possible. Throw small stones or pines cones toward the bear, being careful not to strike the bear on the head. If the bear returns, repeat. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until it abandons the items.

After wilderness centers close for the season, please come prepared with your own allowed container or rent one at the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center.