Natural History Wanderings

The Tioga Road fully opened without restrictions today! While this is great news for those wanting to explore and hike in the high country, conditions are still not what you may expect for July. In order to protect yourself and the fragile ecosystem of the high elevation meadows and riparian areas, it’s important to make smart choices. Expect trails to be flooded or muddy, especially in the meadow areas. Despite that, it’s extremely important to stay on the trails to avoid damaging sensitive plants. There is still quite a bit of snow in many areas above 9,000 feet and water is running cold and fast in the many streams making crossings difficult or unsafe. Make good decisions while exploring areas along the Tioga Road as you enjoy this special part of Yosemite! Check trail conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildcond.htm