Overview

• Tuolumne Grove reopened this week following a week-long closure for a National Park Service investigation into the July 19 accident.
• The park service has issued no further updates beyond confirming the inquiry remains open.
• Family members and fellow hikers are pressing officials for clarity on tree-maintenance protocols and visitor safety measures.
• Google offered condolences and highlighted its broad death-benefits policy for employees’ spouses and children.
• The incident has underscored the rare but deadly threat of falling branches on well-maintained trails, renewing calls for stronger risk-management practices in national parks.