Storm marks start of winter season, closures of Yosemite’s Glacier Point and Tioga roads

The arrival of a storm front on Wednesday has already brought heavy snow to the area.

The impact is expected to be felt throughout Yosemite National Park, which announced the closures of Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads. The roads typically close around this time each fall and reopen in the spring when weather conditions are safe for traffic.

The roads closed Nov. 28 last year.

The Tioga Pass Road closure extends from Tuolumne Grove, just east of Crane Flat, to Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Cars cannot drive to Tuolumne Meadows or enter Yosemite National Park from the east, according to the National Park Service.

It is not possible to drive to Glacier Point when the Glacier Point Road is closed, but the first five miles to the Badger Pass Ski Area should be open from mid-December to March.

All other park entrances, including those along Highway 120 from the west, Hetch Hetchy, Highway 140, and Highway 41, remain open all year, though motorists are required to carry tire chains during the winter months and temporary road closures may go into effect at any time due to road and weather conditions.

Caltrans is reporting chains are needed on Highway 41 north of Oakhurst before entering the national park.

Updated, 24-hour road and weather conditions can be online at www.nps.gov/yose.

The park has also announced the closure of several facilities through Thursday night, including Upper Pines Campground, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow Campground and Curry Village tent cabins.

Curry Village rooms/cabins, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee and Wawona Hotel remain open.

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 11:08 AM.