Daily Report – Yosemite National Park 11.15.24

Daily Report – Yosemite National Park
Friday, November 15, 2024

Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Snow showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then snow in the afternoon. Snow may be heavy at times in the late morning and early afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 7 inches. Total snow accumulation up to 11 inches. Highs 20 to 32. West winds up to 10 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Tonight: Colder. Mostly cloudy with chance of snow in the evening, then mostly clear with slight chance of snow after midnight. Lows 5 to 19. Northeast winds up to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Tomorrow: Not as cold. Sunny. Highs 25 to 39. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon

NEW & HAPPENING TODAY

Seasonal Flu and COVID Vaccination Clinic November 15th 1-5PM at Yosemite Medical Clinic
The Yosemite Medical Clinic will host a seasonal flu and COVID vaccination clinic this Friday, November 15, from 1-5pm. All ages are welcome from 1:00-3:30pm. From 3:30-5:00pm the clinic will focus on vaccinating children ages 6 months to 18 years. Walk-ins only, no appointments needed. (A. Rose-Wood)
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Midpines Rental Available December 1st
3b/2b Midpines area, 40 minutes from the north entrance to the park, and 20 minutes from Mariposa. Available December 1st. $2,575 monthly. Is furnished with Starlink Internet.
Please Call Brandy White at 619 414 0089 or email at b.e.white001@gmail.com (B. White)
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NatureBridge New Campus Opens
NatureBridge is thrilled to announce the opening of the National Environmental Science Center–our new campus at Henness Ridge. Envisioned as a center for the next century, it will be a permanent home for environmental science education in Yosemite, hosting young people from all over California, the US and the world. School groups are now enjoying this seldom-visited corner of the park, with miles of accessible trails, a mosaic of forest types that tell the tale of the role of fire on the landscape, and a myriad of human stories across the ages. The opening of this first 56-bed phase marks the beginning of what will ultimately be a 224-bed LEED Platinum facility, a model of environmental sustainability that will serve as a teachable moment for students for decades to come. Founded as Yosemite Institute in 1971, NatureBridge connects young people to the wonder and science of the natural world, igniting self-discovery and inspiring stewardship of our planet. We are proud to be the park’s primary education partner in Yosemite, delivering the NPS’s education mission and $9 million in educational programming to over 12,000 school children a year. We hope you will join us in celebrating this new chapter in our Yosemite story! (C. Dedini)

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RECENT NEWS

Suspension of Mariposa Grove Shuttle Operation
Mariposa Grove transportation service is discontinued temporarily, due to icy road conditions, a winter weather advisory, and freezing overnight temperatures in the forecast. Road conditions will be re-assessed on Sunday, Nov 17. The Welcome Center parking area remains open. The grove accessible to hike-in visitors who are prepared for snow and ice (J. Donovon)
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Planned Power Outage November 16th 9AM-5PM
PG&E Planned Outage for All of El Portal, Glacier Point Rd, Badger Pass and Chinquapin, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00 to 5:00 PM. PG&E will be replacing a power pole. (C. Flores)
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PGE Helicopters Over El Portal Saturday, November 16th
PGE will be flying multiple helicopters in the community of El Portal Saturday, November 16th between the hours of 0700-1700 for power pole replacements. Please direct any questions to andrew_davenport@nps.gov. (A. Davenport)
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February 2025 Horsetail Fall Reservation Requirements
Yosemite National Park will require day-use entrance reservations for the last three weekends of February 2025 to manage the Horsetail Fall event.

During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that can glow orange when it’s backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources. To manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 17) won’t need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.

Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on November 18, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 21 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.

If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.

Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds from February 8 through February 23, 2025 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). Campground reservations will be released on December 15 at 7 am PST on recreation.gov. If you have a reservation for a campground inside the park, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation. (M. Ortiz)

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
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Apartment for Rent Near Bootjack Market
1 bed, 1 bath apartment for rent near the Bootjack Market in Mariposa. $1500/month, available now. Please call/text Dave at 209-617-1613 if interested. (N. Tucker)
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Tree Removal along North Side Drive Week of November 11th
Valley Forestry will be removing hazard trees along North Side Drive the week of November 11th. Please anticipate traffic holds up to 15 minutes. Thank you for your patience. (B. See)
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Request Volunteer Group Work in 2025
Need to get stuff done next year? Never quite through your to-do list? Want a little help from some devoted, service-minded folks? If you need or have ideas for working with a group of Volunteers-in-Parks in 2025, please fill out this form for assistance.

If you can’t yet imagine this, give the Volunteer Program Office a shout at yose_volunteers@nps.gov. We would love to help you envision how volunteers can help you meet your goals in 2025. (L. James)
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Welcome Ben Trumpinski, New Permanent Paramedic
Yosemite EMS welcomes Ben Trumpinski to our full-time staff. Ben is our new permanent paramedic working out of the Valley. He arrived to Yosemite after his first NPS job as a paramedic at Grand Teton N.P. and years of experience as an EMS provider at Flagstaff, AZ where he closely worked with the Grand Canyon EMS team. Ben completed humanitarian medical work in Costa Rica and is able to provide EMS care in Spanish. Please welcome Ben, MED-13, to our team. (H. Kajitani)
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WFR and WFR-R Courses at Yosemite Bug
Yosemite Bug will be offering WFR (Wilderness First Responder Course) and WFR-R (Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course) this December. There will be a 10-day WFR class starting December 3rd. A 3-day WFR-R will be offered with options to start December 14th or December 18th.

People can email caroline@yosemitebug.com or call 209 979 3598 ext 100 to register. (C. McGrath)
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Notice Regarding Utility Bill Issuance
Due to an extended outage of the FBMS system, utility bills for September 2024 will be issued once the system is restored. The October 2024 utility bills will be issued during the subsequent pay period. November 2024 utility bills will be issued in the following pay period thereafter. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this disruption. (L. Christensen)
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Congratulations to New Yosemite Structure Firefighters

Eight new structure firefighters have been added to the Yosemite Fire crew:

Molly Baptista

Andrew Cockerham

Nathan Galster

Michael Hand

Raelynn Iffland

Jacklyn Rapport

Georgina Royse

Sean Stringham

These new firefighters completed extensive online studies and in-park skills tests over the summer and just passed the intense three-week NPS Structure Firefighter Academy in Boise, Idaho. Yosemite Fire thanks them for their efforts, is looking forward to working with them, and extends a hearty welcome to the team! (S. Lyon)

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Midpines Rental

Large, furnished studio available for rent in Midpines. New interior construction, full kitchen, private laundry, patio. Approx. 700 sqft., attached to main house on 11 acres. Pets ok upon approval. $1100 per month for individual, $1200 for couple; utilities included; month to month lease. Email abrush@pcta.org for more information. (A. Brush)

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ONGOING PROJECTS

Murchison House Project
The Historic Preservation Crew will be re-mothballing Murchison House, including roof repairs, siding repairs, and window repairs to keep moisture out of the structure and protect it for potential future use. Crews will be in and out of the location as needed. (K. Brothers)
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Big Oak Flat Information Station Project
The Historic Preservation Crew is working with Mather B&G to repair the foundation of the structure and helping to rodentproof the structure for building and staff safety. (K. Brothers)
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Wawona Road Hazard Tree Removal
Mather Forestry will be working along the Wawona Road between the Wawona Campground and the south boundary. Work will take place Mondays through Thursdays, 8:00am to 3:30pm. Expect traffic delays. The work is expected to last several weeks. (J. Brown)
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Wawona Hotel Roof Replacement Project
The Wawona re-roofing project is underway and the Contractor, Southwest Property Management, continues to work at the hotel phasing demolition and reroofing in sections progressively. Without unforeseen discoveries, the completion should occur in the fall of this year. Contact Brett Graves, YOSE D&E Project Manager, for more information. (M. Vantzelfden)