Openings delayed by snow, storm damage
Both Glacier Point, Tioga roads will not be available
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
» Fierce winter storms have delayed the opening of some popular Yosemite destinations, park officials announced on Wednesday.
Neither Glacier Point Road nor Tioga Road, the park’s routes to the east, will be open before Memorial Day.
Installation of the Half Dome cables also will be postponed, along with shuttle and car access to the Mariposa Grove. No opening date has been set for these sites.
The opening of Half Dome Village awaits completion of repairs due to storm damage, according to Yosemite Hospitality, the park’s primary concessioner.
There may be delays to opening the back country’s High Sierra camps, but this will not be determined un- til access to the area is open via the Tioga Road, according to Yosemite-Hospitality.
Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Awahnee) are open. Big Trees Lodge (formerly the Wawona Hotel) is scheduled to open on April 1.
January and February storms delivered snowpack that measures 143 percent of normal. The storms caused falling trees and rock and debris slides, which in turn caused extensive damage to campsites, utilities, restrooms, parking areas, hiking trails and roads.
As spring temperatures begin to warm, the park’s rivers and streams will be cold and fast-moving, so visitors should take special precautions when crossing water, according to park spokesperson Jamie Richards.
“Even the best swimmers canfind themselves ina difficult situation under the current water conditions,” Richards said.
For the latest updates on park programs and facilities, go to nps.gov/yose.
For the latest informa- tion on concession- operated programs and facilities, go to travelyosemite.com/.
For updated 24- hour road and weather condi- tions for Yosemite National Park, call 209- 372- 0200 and press 1.