Current Conditions
SEASONAL CLOSURES
- Cottonwood Road (1N04) on the Mi-Wok and Groveland
Ranger Districts remains open through the winter from
Tuolumne to Cherry Lake. However, users are advised that
the road is not maintained for winter travel and might
be obstructed by rocks, snow and ice. With the exception
of road 2N10 (leading through private property owned
by Sierra Pacific Industries), all Forest Service roads
to the south of Cottonwood Road will remain un-gated
and open, unless inclement weather, rocks in the roadway,
or downed trees mandate their closure. Minor spur roads
accessing the Jawbone Lava Flats will be seasonally gated
to provide protection and habitat for wintering deer
herds.
- Lumsden Road (1N10) on the Groveland Ranger District
is closed for the season. The road will reopen in the
spring when weather conditions permit.
- Beardsley Road (5N02) on the Summit Ranger District
is now managed and maintained by Tri-Dam, December to April
for Beardsley Road information during this period visit
the Tri-dam website at www.TriDamProject.com/beardsley.aspx or call the Tri-Dam Project at (209) 965-3214 or 3996.
WEATHER
Weather conditions vary across the Stanislaus National
Forest, where elevation ranges from 1,200 feet in the
foothills to over 10,000 feet at the Sierra Nevada crest. Local
conditions often differ and can change rapidly. Please call the
local Ranger District office for the most current
information.
Always be
prepared for cold and wet weather, especially at higher elevations!
For weather information for a specific location within the
Stanislaus National Forest, use the following City, State
search criteria at the National Weather
Service website: Stanislaus National Forest
Headquarters - Sonora, CA
Mi-Wok Ranger District - Twain Harte, CA
Calaveras Ranger District - Hathaway Pines, CA
Summit Ranger District - Pinecrest, CA
Groveland Ranger District - Groveland, CA
CAMPGROUND CONDITIONS
All campgrounds are subject to open or closure without notice. If
campgrounds are closed camping is allowed, but no services are
provided. Pack In/Pack Out your garbage and make sure your
campfire is Dead Out! Please call the local Ranger District office for the most current
information.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Getting around on Forest roads is different from driving on
streets or highways.
Most Forest roads are narrow, steep and winding with safe travel speeds averaging 20-30 mph on paved roads. Safe
travel on gravel and dirt roads is even slower. Use caution and be alert to rough road conditions. Depending on the
season, you may encounter snow, rocks, logs or ice on Forest roads. Please
call the local Ranger District office for the most current
information.
All forest roads are now free of snow and "open" for the season.
STATE HIGHWAYS
Caltrans maintains and operates the State Highways within the
National Forest.
Current Highway conditions are available through
the following Caltrans links.
Winter Road Travel Classifications
During winter months, Caltrans monitors highway conditions
and imposes chain restrictions, which are enforced by the
California Highway Patrol. When traveling to the mountains
during the winter, it is advisable to always carry chains, as
weather and road conditions can and do change rapidly without
warning. Chain restrictions are as follows:
- R-1: Autos with snow tires or 4WD and snow tires OK.
- R-2: Chains required on all vehicles exception of those
with 4WD and snow tires on all four wheels.
- R-3: Chains required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
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