Yosemite National Park Being Evacuated After Storm Knocks Out Power, Closes Roads

March 21, 2011 1:00 PM

(credit: AP)

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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — All roads into Yosemite National Park have been temporarily closed after a major storm dumped snow, caused mudslides and downed trees and power lines.

Park officials said Monday that power is out across Yosemite Valley and about 200 visitors are being evacuated.

Officials say the weekend storm dropped more than 3.5 feet of snow throughout the park in the last 24 hours, including in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Crane Flat.

Highways 41, 120 and 140 entering the park have been closed.

The California Highway Patrol says Highway 41 has been reopened outside the park despite hazardous conditions from snow and toppled trees. Downed trees and power lines have also shut down Highway 140 outside the park between El Portal and Midpines.

Officials say they’re not sure when those roads will reopen.

Yosemite National Park Being Evacuated After Storm Knocks Out Power, Closes Roads

Jim

What a great place to get snowed in! Candlelight dinner at the Ahwahnee, room with a fireplace. Perfect. Where’s my snowshoes? Maybe I can hike in.

Jen

Except the power is out and food trucks/employees can’t get in to serve you…

Janice

We were there a week ago. My best vsit EVER. Perfect weather (60s), gushing falls, and NO PEOPLE! What a difference a week makes!
theresa

i miss you yosemite.
Rev. Mary Holder Naegeli

We were staying at the Ahwahnee but left today when the staff strongly recommended taking the window of opportunity to exit the park in a convoy escorted by a snowplow (over Highway 120). It was long and arduous, but we made it out just fine (the convoy was probably overly cautious; tire chains were doing just fine once the road was plowed). But more storms are on the way and things are at a standstill in the Valley. The Ahwahnee was running on a generator and there were several menu items not available last night at dinner. The staff was fantastic, though; kept everybody informed and assisted with arrangements for departure. It would have been nice to stay on, but the roads are going to be dicey the rest of the week.
Jen

My thoughts are with the valley employees that have no heat or hot water.
Winter Backpacking Enthusiast

I returned this evening from a backpacking trip to the Yosemite Glacier Point area via the Badger Pass trailhead. Started the trip last Friday on very consolidated snow; didn’t need snowshoes so hiked in boots. About 18 inches of snowfall fell Friday night; a few inches Saturday; then heavy snowfall Saturday night, all day Sunday, and Sunday night. 5.5 mile hike Monday to return to Badger Pass took 9.5 hours breaking trail through 6+ feet of “bottomless” powder; one of my most physically and mentally exhausting days ever… Arrived Badger Pass 7:30 pm; found out from the ranger that power was out to the entire park and that evacuation plans were underway. Got to stay in the ski lodge snack shop area overnight; slept on top of a table. No power or heat in the building but the water was running and got to use the propane stove in the kitchen. Dug out the car this morning and exited the park via the Valley and 120. What an epic trip!