Rockslide Closes Yosemite Highway Indefinitely After Heavy Rains

EL PORTAL, Calif. — A rockslide has indefinitely closed a main highway leading into Yosemite National Park following heavy rainfall across California, state officials reported on March 19, 2025.

A section of Route 140, spanning about two miles between Briceburg and El Portal, is blocked due to fallen rocks. Recent storms have accumulated significant rainfall in the region, with Yosemite Valley receiving 7.38 inches and El Portal receiving 6.48 inches, as documented by the National Weather Service. The increased moisture has triggered multiple rockslides and debris flows throughout the state.

Brian Hooker, a public information officer for Caltrans, explained the situation in a written statement. “The slide area is located in a high, narrow canyon, making it difficult for crews to address the debris,” he said. “With the slide covering both east and westbound lanes in Briceburg, our maintenance and highway operations teams had to utilize State Route 41 as a detour through Yosemite to reach the east side of the slide and assess the situation further.”

Although the highway is essential for many visitors and residents, no timeline for the reopening of Route 140 has been provided. Crews need to carefully access the hillside to clear the debris, and specific details about the cleanup process remain under evaluation.

The California Highway Patrol has advised motorists to avoid the affected area and utilize State Routes 41 and 120 as alternative routes. For real-time updates on highway conditions, officials recommend using Caltrans’ QuickMap app.