The High Sierra Camps in Yosemite National Park won't open this summer/NPS file

Officially, the word is that the inability to provide potable water and toilets to the High Sierra Camps in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park will keep the camps closed this summer, though a lack of park staff could be playing a role.

According to a statement on concessionaire Aramark's website, "the utilities which support the High Sierra Camps — potable water and toilets — will not be available and the camps will not be operated this summer. This decision was made in collaboration with the National Park Service, which manages the utilities necessary to run the camps. Impacted guests have been contacted and can book alternate accommodations within the park and will be offered priority booking for next year's lottery."

The upheaval in National Park Service staffing could be playing a role in the park's inability to get the toilets and water to the camps — Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang — which are roughly 5.7-10 miles (9.2 - 16.1 km) apart from one another and which offer tent cabins with cots and restaurant-quality dining facilities for guests.

A loop trail connects the five camps/James C. Heaphy IV via Wikipedia

Early this year the Trump administration placed a halt on seasonal hiring in the Park Service, though that decision was later reversed. At the same time, though, the administration encouraged federal employees to retire/resign and remain on the payroll through September. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, as many as 2,500 employees, maybe more, took up that offer.

Other parks have been impacted by a lack of personnel. At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for instance, six of the park's campgrounds are not opening this summer. When asked back in March Park Service staff at headquarters in Washington, D.C., did not provide a specific reason why those campgrounds wouldn't open, other than to say that, "Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to focus on ensuring that every visitor has the chance to explore and connect with the incredible, iconic spaces of our national parks. Our teams are dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of our visitors, ensuring memorable and meaningful experiences for all."

Early last month Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered the Park Service to see that parks are "properly staffed to support the operating hours and needs of each park unit."

That directive was followed up upon by acting-Park Service Director Jessica Bowron, who told superintendents to use their ingenuity when it comes to accomplishing that task. Borrowing staff from other parks, reassigning existing staff, reaching out to state parks, even using volunteers and partner organizations was mentioned in Bowron's directive, according to someone who saw it.

In short, the directive urged park superintendents to do what they can to focus on the visitors' experience. Staffing not specifically tied to that should take a backseat, the directive added.

Inquiries to both Yosemite and NPS headquarters in Washington on Thursday about the High Sierra Camps were not immediately returned. However, SF Gate, which first reported that the High Sierra Camps would not open this summer, was told by a Yosemite official that, "[V]isitors can reserve a wilderness permit to backpack and enjoy a self-guided experience in the area of the camps."