EL PORTAL — 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 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, Jan. 10, and plan accordingly. Overnight accommodations and commercial services operated by the park concessioner are slated to fully reopen tomorrow, Wednesday Jan. 11. 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 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9. 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.
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200 and press 1. Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose
