No access to King's Canyon - Cedar Grove area this summer

A bit of a bummer for us Western Sierra climbers. No access to Cedar Grove is expected this summer

From the NPS:

 "Due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season."

I'm sure this will not be the last announcement of this sort for the year.

When they say summer season, I just want to clarify that they mean until it snows again in the fall? As in, roads end will be inaccessible until 2024?

ryan climbs sometimes wrote:

Sounds like a dream year to backpack in over from the east side 

Or to bike in from the west side, depending upon how "closed" the road is.  Definitely an opportunity not to be missed.

I would be surprised if CalTrans/NPS would any allow any kind of public access to that road while construction is ongoing, but I'm just speculating!

I presume it will reopen when they are done, they just think its going to take all summer. Maybe it will be open in early Fall, who knows.

Here are some photos from their FB Page of some of the road damage

ryan climbs sometimes wrote:

Sounds like a dream year to backpack in over from the east side 

I would seriously consider that.  Had a similar experience in Yosemite during Covid.  Makes all the difference.

ryan climbs sometimes wrote:

Sounds like a dream year to backpack in over from the east side 

If you can get a permit.  That would explain why I wasn't able to make Cedar Grove reservations for this summer.  Bummer.  Mist Falls would have been awesome this summer.