Fears of heavy flooding that prompted the closure of Yosemite Valley to visitors have turned out to be less devastating than expected, the National Park Service announced Saturday.
The Park Service reopened portions of the national park Sunday morning.
The big picture: The eastern portion of Yosemite Valley, home to Yosemite Falls and Half Dome, shuttered on Friday night and was expected to be closed to public access through Wednesday.
- However, the valley will reopen Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will remain open, beginning Monday at 7 a.m.
- Park officials cited fear of flooding from melting snowpack runoff as temperatures along central California soared over the weekend.
- Visitors are advised to remain cautious and vigilant as rivers from the Sierra foothills are running high and remain extremely dangerous.
- Park officials continue to warn visitors to not enter or approach rivers within Yosemite National Park
