Yosemite Valley is under a flood warning due to the high runoff coming out of the mountains/NPS
Snowmelt pouring out of the high country of Yosemite National Park has led to a flood warning for the Yosemite Valley as the Merced River is expected to reach flood stage. As a result, the Lower, North Pines, and Housekeeping Camp campgrounds are closed.
Park staff said in a social media post that the campgrounds, including the backpackers' campground, might open Wednesday, but that it's more likely they'll be closed longer.
"Additional closures are possible, but we are not planning any additional closures for the next two days. We plan to announce any additional closures two days in advance. Please note that periods of flooding are probable through mid-June," the staff said in a social media post.
Park visitors are reminded not to approach or enter rivers or creeks in Yosemite, as they are running full and fast and are extremely dangerous. Watch for flooding on roads, especially from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Use caution when you encounter water on the road.
Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and the Mariposa Grove are open and accessible by entering Yosemite via Highways 41 and 140. (Reaching the Mariposa Grove requires a four-mile round-trip hike with 500 feet of elevation change.) Hetch Hetchy and Hodgdon Meadow (but not other areas of Yosemite) are accessible via Highway 120 from the west. Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove Roads are closed.
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