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River Canyon closure: Caltrans, sheriff say contractor called in to clear estimated 300 cubic yards of slide
Summary
Caltrans contracted an outside crew to clear a major slide in River Canyon that blocked both lanes; county law enforcement and park partners are coordinating traffic control and emergency response.
Mariposa County Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office updated the Board on a major landslide in the River Canyon that closed the roadway and required outside contractor work and full closures.
Officer Mullen of the Mariposa Highway Patrol said Caltrans notified local agencies that an outside contractor was mobilized to expedite cleanup after an estimated 300 cubic yards of material blocked the road. Early estimates called for at least two days of cleanup but the situation remained active and conditions could extend the closure. Mullen said the slide was actively moving and that initial attempts to clear lanes caused material to spill over, preventing one-way traffic control and prompting a full closure at Yosemite Bug (west end) and Cedar Lodge (east end).
Sheriff Jeremy Breeze said the Sheriff’s Office had set up coordination with the Park Service to provide immediate response capability for areas affected by the closure and arranged modified patrol schedules focused on the cut‑off districts so residents would continue to have law‑enforcement services. Breeze said deputies would be assigned specifically to the area to ensure faster emergency response while the road remained closed.
Caltrans was flying a drone to assess the slide and crews were working around the clock with temporary closures and traffic control. The county urged residents to use alternate routes and follow official guidance while cleanup continued.
