Highway 180 Expected, and Possibly Mineral King Road, to Remain Closed in 2023

[zacjust32]

Highway 180 Expected to Remain Closed in 2023

https://boydencavern.com/roads-2023/wed ... 023-update
From the Boyden Cavern manager

We are sad to announce that we are not expected to open for 2023. The conditions found on Highway 180 leading to the cavern are in need of such significant repair that it is not expected to reopen for this season.

At this time, we believe that the trail and gift shop are in fair to good condition, so there is a bit of good news with the bad.

We will be canceling and refunding all previously purchased tickets for 2023. Tickets for 2024 will be available in December 2023. We will always fully refund tickets that we are not able to fulfill.

If you wish to support us during this difficult time, you can purchase a gift card for yourself or a family member to use in the future.

[LMBSGV]

Here's the current posting (4/27/23) on the SEKI website:

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.

[texan]

Thanks for posting. I am curious about the Mineral King Road, no info yet on NP website.

[Lenier]

Thanks for posting. I am curious about the Mineral King Road, no info yet on NP website.

It actually has something a bit more detailed posted just today:

Mineral King - CLOSED

No access to giant sequoias, camping, trails, Silver City Resort, Mineral King Ranger Station, and wilderness.

Due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park boundary, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.

[texan]

Thanks for posting. I am curious about the Mineral King Road, no info yet on NP website.

It actually has something a bit more detailed posted just today:

Mineral King - CLOSED

No access to giant sequoias, camping, trails, Silver City Resort, Mineral King Ranger Station, and wilderness.

Due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park boundary, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.

Thanks for letting me know. I checked yesterday and there was nothing nw. I looked at some photos of the damage and I don't think the road will be open to the public this year but you never know. Thanks again for sharing.

Texan

[frozenintime]

has roads end (and etc) been closed all year before in anyone’s memory?

[maverick]

East side trailheads will be getting much higher than average usage this year, even ones less used like Sawmill & Baxter, because Kearsarge will be booked by people wanting to visit Rae Lakes and beyond. Taboose and Shepherd Pass will get higher than average usage to access to Kings-Kern Divide and Great Western Divide area if Mineral King doesn't open for the summer. Once people learn about these closures, SEKI and Inyo permits may be more challenging to get.

[jôhorn]

Rec.gov just cancelled/refunded my June 2 and July 14 permits out of Bubbs. Another for Aug 25 hasn't been cancelled yet.

[Lenier]

I guess I should be looking into the Inyo permitting process, although I'm not bothering to plan my week long trip until late September now.

[maverick]

SEKI NP:

Thanks to information provided by partner agencies we can share a couple significant updates as part of our weekly review of estimated reopening dates. For a detailed list of reopening dates and today's news release announcement visit https://www.nps.gov/seki.

At this time, 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. Unfortunately, this means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.

For Mineral King in Sequoia National Park, due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. Tulare County is working on temporary repairs to three sections of road damage outside the park boundary, these repairs are expected to continue into June. As soon as we’re able, the park will assess whether construction equipment will have the necessary access to begin repairs to severely damaged sections inside the park boundary. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.

A reminder to those looking to visit in the next few weeks, Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park and the Foothills area in Sequoia National Park are currently open!

Grant Grove
Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, restaurant, trails, and more.

The Foothills area between the Sequoia entrance station and Hospital Rock
Access to lower-elevation camping, trails, wildflowers, wilderness, rivers, and more. No access to giant sequoias.

For trip-planning information and the most current park conditions, we urge visitors to visit our website. Updates to the reopening schedule are made on the Current Conditions web page weekly on Thursday afternoons.

Photo 1: Large boulder across both lanes of Hwy 180 between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove.
Photo 2: Large portion of Hwy 180 missing across roughly 1.5 lanes along the Hwy 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove.