Stanislaus National Forest

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.

• Highway 4
• Highway 108
• Highway 120

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.