Whimsical photos show California's Yosemite National Park buried under up to 15 feet of snow that has left the park closed indefinitely

Kelsey Vlamis
Updated ·3 min read
31

  • Yosemite National Park in California has been closed since February 25 due to heavy snow.

  • Park officials said crews are working to restore services so visitors can return.

  • Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for 13 counties, including where Yosemite is.

Parts of California have been blanketed with unusual amounts of snowfall over the past week, resulting in striking images taken across the Golden State.

On Friday the National Weather Service even issued a rare blizzard warning for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Snowfall was even spotted in the Hollywood Hills and some Los Angeles suburbs.

But Northern California, which is more accustomed to snow, saw unusually high levels of powder as well, including at Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which has been closed indefinitely.

The National Park Service first closed Yosemite on February 25 due to the unusual levels of snow.

In this photo provided by the National Park Service, tents at Curry Village are covered with snow in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The park, closed since Saturday because of heavy, blinding snow, postponed its planned Thursday, March 2, 2023, reopening indefinitely.
Curry Village in Yosemite National Park covered with snow on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.National Park Service/Associated Press

Yosemite valley is no stranger to snowfall, but it usually doesn't result in the park's closure.

Snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023 as winter storm alerted in California.
Snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California on February 23, 2023, amid winter storm alerts in California.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Yosemite was initially set to reopen Thursday, but park officials said Tuesday it would remain closed indefinitely.

Snow nearly covers the entrance to a bathroom at Yosemite National Park.
Snow nearly covers the entrance to a bathroom at Yosemite National Park.National Park Service

Officials said snow was 15 feet deep in some areas of Yosemite.

In this photo provided by the National Park Service, a structure at Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, Calif., is covered in snow Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Yosemite National Park, closed since Saturday because of heavy, blinding snow, postponed its planned Thursday, March 2, 2023, reopening indefinitely.
Structure at Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park covered in snow on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.National Park Service/Associated Press

"Park crews are working to restore critical services so visitors can safely return," Yosemite officials said.

Wawona tunnel is seen as snow blanke Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023 as winter storm alerted in California.
Wawona tunnel is seen as snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California on February 23, 2023.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Park officials say it's still unclear when the park can reopen, but it won't be until conditions are safer.

A view of Yosemite falls as snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 22, 2023.
A view of Yosemite falls as snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 22, 2023.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Parking lots and walkways in the park are covered in snow.

A view of El Capitan as snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 22, 2023.
A view of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on February 22, 2023.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Some of the winding mountain roads are layered with black ice.

Snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023 as winter storm alerted in California.
Yosemite National Park on February 23, 2023.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

In December, a road in Yosemite was closed after heavy snow led to a rockfall.

Snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023
Snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for 13 counties in the state, including Mariposa, where Yosemite is located.

A welcome sign is seen as snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023
A welcome sign is seen as snow blankets Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 23, 2023Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The storms have caused major power outages, blocked roads, and stranded residents in their homes.

Yosemite falls is seen with reflection as snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 22, 2023.
Yosemite falls is seen with reflection as snow blanked Yosemite National Park in California, United States on February 22, 2023.Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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