Several Storm-Damaged Roadways Within Southern California's National Parks Are Reopening Soon
By Natasha Kayes|Published April 07, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
California has had an especially rainy winter and early spring. Major storms and flooding, beginning in January and continuing during March, caused damage to roads that resulted in the closing of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the public. Great efforts have already begun to get the parks open again as soon as possible. According to National Park Service (NPS), some access roads to these national parks in Southern California are projected to open soon.
Many sections of road, including Mineral King Road, Generals Highway connecting Sequoia and Kings Canyon and Highway 180 leading into Cedar Grove, suffered significant amounts of damage as a result of flooding.
Kings Canyon National Park’s Grant Grove is estimated to reopen on April 14, 2023. This is contingent on access being restored from Highway 180 to the west of the park boundary.
This area allows access to giant sequoias, hiking trails, and snowplow areas.
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The wilderness, waterfalls and rivers, trails, etc. accessed by Cedar Grove -- also part of Kings Canyon National Park -- are closed with no reopening estimate available. Opening this portion of the park depends on major road repairs to Highway 180 being completed outside of the park.
The Foothills Area of Sequoia National Park between the Sequoia entrance station and Hospital Rock is estimated to reopen between April 7 and April 14, 2023.
This area accesses camping areas, trails, wilderness, and rivers. There is no access to giant sequoias from this area.
There are two access points to the areas of the Giant Forest, Wolverton Snowplay Area, Lodgepole, and Wuksachi. This includes access to the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, and other popular attractions.
Access from Highway 180 through the Kings Canyon Entrance Station is estimated to reopen between May 26 and June 16, 2023. Access from Highway 198 through the Sequoia Entrance Station is estimated to reopen during the month of June 2023.
Access to the areas of Crystal Cave and Mineral King remains closed with no available estimate for reopening.
There are many variables that greatly affect the rate and extent of repairs inside and outside of the parks. Assessments of the damage are ongoing as so many sections of road in the area, and estimates are subject to change.
