The Big Oak Flat road between the Foresta Junction and the Crane Flat will be closed nightly from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 120 is also closed nightly due to bridgework between 49er Junction (120/108) and Priests Grade. If you’re planning on coming up for the firefall plan on taking 140 through Mariposa or 41 through Fishcamp.
Keep in mind the firefall is a major event and is drawing large crowds. Parking is almost non-existent within the Valley at these times and visitation is high. Large crowds of people are expected throughout the day.
It is currently raining and snowing within the park with ice and snow on the roadways. Visitors should dress accordingly as you may be outside for hours and a very long distance from your vehicle or other warmth. The key areas to view the firefall are close to the entrance to the valley and very far from parking, the village and the warmth of the lodges. No buildings exist where the key firefall viewing areas are and cell phone coverage is spotty at best.
Expect long wait times to exit the park. Last year average was about 2 hours to get from Yosemite Village parking to the Arch Rock Entrance.
For current road information please call 209-372-0200 then hit 1 at the prompt and 1 again.
Photo by Loyd Schutte. (c)2016.