Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks damaged in winter storms
Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks have been "badly damaged" by the recent major winter storms, according to park officials.
A public meeting was held Sunday night in Three Rivers, where park staff gave an estimated time frame for reopening impacted areas. During the meeting, park officials stressed that there are still many unknowns that are likely to change project reopening dates.
Many shops and restaurants in Three Rivers and Oakhurst rely on the parks being open to attract customers.
"Recovery from this year's weather events is going to be a long haul," said Clay Jordan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks superintendent. "While we have sustained a lot of damage, our employees have gone to herculean measures to ensure restored visitor access and services."
Damage assessments are still in progress, but so far, park officials report that nearly 20 areas have sustained "significant damage" along the Generals Highway from Sequoia to Kings Canyon. Repairs of public access to these areas requires contracted highway construction crews, park staff said.
This means one-lane access for park staff and residents, and at least some level of impacted traffic flow after public reopening.
Caltrans is reporting major road damage on sections of Highway 180 leading into Cedar Grove. Cedar Grove, Crystal Cave, and Mineral King have not been accessible for damage assessments. Mineral King Road has also sustained significant damage, both inside and outside the park boundary.
"We will work collaboratively with our communities, stakeholders, and agency partners to facilitate as efficient a process of getting the parks back open as we possibly can," Jordan said.
Reopening timeframes:
Kings Canyon National Park
Grant Grove (Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, trails, and more)
Current Status: Closed
Estimated Reopening: April 14, contingent upon the completion of major road repairs outside the park along Highway 180 west of the park boundary
Cedar Grove (Access to wilderness, camping, lodging, river, waterfalls, trails, and more)
Current Status: Closed for the winter season
Estimated Reopening: Not currently available, as it is dependent upon the completion of major road repairs outside the park on Highway 180 between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove
Sequoia National Park
The Foothills area between the Sequoia entrance station and Hospital Rock Picnic Area (Access to lower elevation camping, trails, wilderness, rivers, and more. No access to giant sequoias)
Current Status: Closed
Estimated Reopening: April 7 - 14
The Giant Forest/Wolverton Snowplay Area/Lodgepole/Wuksachi Areas (Access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, wilderness, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, and more)
Current Status: Closed
Access via Highway 180 through the Kings Canyon entrance station
Estimated Reopening: May 26- June 16
Access via Highway 198 through the Sequoia entrance station
Estimated Reopening: Sometime in June 2023
Crystal Cave
Current Status: Closed for the winter season
Estimated Reopening: Not currently available
Mineral King
Current Status: Closed
Estimated Reopening: Not currently available, as it is dependent upon the completion of major road repairs below the park boundary
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks damaged in winter storms
