California Storms Close National Parks

By Compiled From N... - January 9th, 2023

California's stormy weather has closed at least two units of the National Park System/NPS file

The atmospheric rivers that have been bringing torrential rains to California have led to the closure of at least two units of the National Park System, Pinnacles National Park and Muir Woods National Monument.

At Pinnacles, park staff said Monday that the rains and high winds have created "extremely hazardous conditions on park roads and trails."

"Having nearly exceeded our annual rainfall averages less than 10 days into the new year, most trail and road stream crossings are extremely swollen and moving quickly, and extremely strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph are causing rocks and trees to fall on roads and trails," a park release said. "With rainfall forecasted to increase and intensify and conditions expected to worsen, Pinnacles will close effective immediately until such hazards are mitigated."

According to staff, there have been dozens of tree and rockfalls across trails, streams have overrun some trails, and at least one bridge has been damaged by the flood waters.

"Roads in some places are flooded over, and new road obstructions are occurring with increasing frequency," the release added. "No trails anywhere in the park are open or permitted to visitation at this time."

That said, the campground on the east side of the park will remain open at this time to visitors with existing reservations. The campground is run by the Pinnacles Recreation Company, and visitors with questions and camping reservations should contact the Pinnacles Recreation Company for more information at 831-200-1722.

Muir Woods officials said the park was closed Monday due to power outages and high winds.

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Pinnacles National Park

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