Daily Report – Yosemite National Park
Friday, August 18, 2023
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Sunny, with a high near 95. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest in the morning.
Tonight: Sunny, with a high near 95. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest in the morning.
Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 95. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:
Yosemite Valley | Wawona | Tuolumne Meadows | Glacier Point | Big Oak Flat | Hetch Hetchy | El Portal | Mariposa | Badger Pass
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NEW & HAPPENING TODAY
No new submissions
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RECENT NEWS
Machine shop will be closed Friday, August 18th. (B. Baumgardner)
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Just a reminder to submit admin camping requests (via share point) for Porcupine or Tamarack at least two weeks in advance as these campgrounds are open to the public on a two-week rolling booking window. (E. Bissmeyer)
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Crane Flat gas station will be closed through Friday 8/18. (C. Layman)
Federal Resume Workshop Thursday, Aug 17, 3-5pm
Wrapping up your season soon? Starting to think about your year-end EPAP? Quantify your accomplishments in your resume before you forget about them!! Join the park’s HR Liaison to talk about federal resumes, how to better read USAJobs announcements, and how to make sure that all of the awesome work you did this summer helps you get your next gig. Click here to RSVP. Not available this week? Don’t worry, there will be sessions Sept 12 and Oct 4 as well – register at the link and you’ll be added to the calendar invite. (T. Plock)
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Selection of Mather District Sub-district Ranger and Valley Shift Supervisor Positions
The Visitor and Resource Protection Division is very pleased to announce the selection of the following people for our supervisory positions: John Seymer Crane Flat Sub-district Ranger, Sara Robinson Tuolumne Meadows Sub-district Ranger and Tom Healy Valley Shift Supervisor. They will be starting in their new positions over the next couple of months. (M. Krebs)
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BLM Permanent Maintenance Worker (Open & closing dates 08/08/2023 to 08/22/2023)
The Bureau of Land Management Merced River Recreation Area (BLM at Briceburg) https://www.blm.gov/visit/merced-river is hiring a Permanent Maintenance Worker WG-8. Mariposa/Briceburg location is offering a Career Seasonal Position- You will be in pay status for at least 6 months, but less than 12 months per calendar year. When work or funds are unavailable, you will be placed into non-pay status.
The Duty Location is Midpines/Mariposa to report to Briceburg. The BLM Field Office for this position is Mother Lode Field Office in El Dorado Hills, CA and is listed as such on the announcement. Applicant will only need to go to the Field Office periodically, or infrequently. This is a MARIPOSA COUNTY job working along the Merced River below Briceburg maintaining the BLM operated Campgrounds and Recreation Sites. Additional duties at BLM properties in Mariposa and Tuolumne County (such as Red Hills ACEC) https://www.blm.gov/visit/red-hills-recreation-management-area.
BLM seeks to find an applicant currently living in MARIPOSA COUNTY. Moving expenses are not paid. There is no government housing available. The job is being offered separately to the public at large, or to Government Employees.
BLM Maintenance Worker WG-8 (open to Career Transition and the Public)
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/742203400
BLM Maintenance Worker WG-8 (open to Career Transition and Fed Employees-Competitive Service)
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/742203500 (D. Greenwood)
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Valley Lodge Pool Closed 8/15-8/16
The Yosemite Valley Lodge Pool will be closed on 8/15 and 8/16 for required maintenance and will return to it’s regular schedule at 11 am on 8/17. (C. Layman)
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BIPOC ERG Potluck 8/23 @ 7pm
The Yosemite Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is excited to invite the Yosemite community to a BIPOC community potluck! Join us at the El Portal Community Hall and bring a cultural dish that reminds you of home to share with friends! Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, membership-based, employee-led affinity groups that celebrate employees’ identities and values. For more information about Employee Resource Groups in the park, see yoscommunity.com/erg. (S. Soroka)
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Yosemite Valley Lodge Starbucks Update
Starbucks at Yosemite Valley Lodge is now open! Hours are 6:30 am – 6:30 pm (C. Layman)
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Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project
The long-planned Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project, on Evergreen Road, is set to begin. Be aware of potential truck traffic in the area between August 14 and October 31.
The project goal is to eliminate excessive soil erosion, slow water loss, and reverse loss of water-loving plants and animals, and impacts to endangered species. To do this, a contractor will completely fill the century-old human-caused erosion gully that is now more than 3 miles long, and up to 14 feet deep by 100 feet wide. Revegetation of the area will be completed using more than 425,000 wetland container plants and 700 pounds of native plant seeds. This project is planned for completion in spring 2025, and is a partnership of American Rivers, Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite Conservancy, and Yosemite National Park. Learn more: https://go.nps.gov/ackerson. For questions, contact tim_kuhn@nps.gov. (T. Kuhn)
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Access To Research Library
From 8/11 to 9/1, the Yosemite Research Library will be open on Fridays from 2-4pm. (P. Rodgers)
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Valley Custodial Kudos!
It’s been quite the season for Valley Custodial and wanted to recognize them for their hard work and perseverance this year. Many of the staff have volunteered to work countless hours of overtime to help fill in voids and try to provide the cleanest facilities for our visitors. Additionally, our late trash run crew has been amazing and really hustling at maintaining over 300 trash cans throughout the valley. Last but not least, Dave Patrick your hands on leadership have helped keep the crews motivated and you continue to lead by example. Thank you, Valley Custodial team. (D. Buskeness)
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Wawona Road Delays
There will be 5 -10 minute traffic delays along Wawona Rd between Wawona Hotel and Glacier Point Rd on 8/14 – 8/17. Flaggers will hold traffic for 5-10 minutes at a time to allow for vegetation management work. (G. Hernandez)
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All Yosemite Conservancy Locations – Opening at 10am, Wednesday 8/16
On Wednesday 8/16 all Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore locations will open one hour late at 10am for an all-staff enrichment meeting. If you have any questions, please contact kbouchard@yosemite.org (K. Bouchard)
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Valley Forestry on Glacier Point
Valley Forestry will be removing hazard trees along Glacier Point Road through the end of September. Work will take place from 0800-1530 Monday through Thursday. Expect 15 minute delays. Thanks for your patience. (B. See)
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ONGOING PROJECTS
Glacier Point Road Delays
Crews are continuing rehabilitation of the Glacier Point Road between Wawona Road junction (Chinquapin) and Glacier Point. The Crews will be working Monday thru Friday from 6AM to 6PM with alternating one-way traffic control and up to 30-minute delays. Delays should be diminishing as work progresses over the next couple of months; however, please expect delays thru September 29, 2023. Please contact Michael Pieper, with any questions or concerns at (209) 200-1131. (M. Peiper)
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El Portal Road Delays
Crews are continuing road repairs on the El Portal Road approximately ½ mile east of the Arch Rock Entrance Station. The Crews will be working Monday thru Friday from 6AM to 6PM with alternating one-way traffic control and up to 15-minute delays. These El Portal Road delays will continue thru August 31, 2023. Please contact Michael Pieper, with any questions or concerns at (209) 200-1131. (M. Peiper)
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Tioga Road Delays
Crews are continuing to complete intermittent road repairs on the Tioga Road between Tamarack Flat Campground entrance road and Little Blue Slide. Over the next couple of months there will be multiple crews working at various locations along the Tioga Road corridor. The Crews will be working Monday thru Friday, from 6AM to 6PM with alternating one-way traffic control and up to 15-minute delays. These Tioga Road delays will continue thru September 29, 2023. Please contact Michael Pieper, with any questions or concerns at (209) 200-1131. (M. Peiper)
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Construction in Bug and Ranger Camps is underway in Tuolumne Meadows
Several crews are repairing damaged structures and replacing the underground and overhead electric. Please avoid the area unless you are a resident. Any questions, contact Matt Outhier. (M. Outhier)
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Tuolumne Meadows Lodgepole Pine Removal: 7/31 – 8/17
CCC crews and volunteers will be removing lodgepole pine saplings in the Tuolumne Meadows area until 8/17. Cut material will be piled along the roadside to be chipped. Lodgepole pine encroachment is present in many parts of Tuolumne Meadows due to shifting climatic conditions and other anthropogenic factors. This has consequences for meadow vegetation composition, wildlife communities, downstream ecosystem services, and the visitor experience. Once established, lodgepole pine will persist unless restoration actions are taken. (K. Russell)
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Mist Trail Repair July 10th – November 2nd
The Lower Mist Trail – from the John Muir Trail (JMT) junction (just uphill from the Vernal Fall Footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall – will be closed M-TH between 7:00am and 3:30pm from 7/10/23 – 9/1/23. Beginning 9/2/23 – 11/2/23 the trail will be closed M-Fr between 7:00am and 3:30pm. The trail will be open on Labor Day and Columbus Day.
The trail will remain open on weekends. It is expected to be open overnight, however there may be certain days when trail crew is not able to make it safe to open overnight. In that case, the gates will remain closed, and signs will be posted at the two closure gates that the trail is closed.
Hikers and backpackers headed to Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and points beyond from the trailhead at Happy Isles may hike uphill on the Mist Trail if they reach the Mist Trail/JMT junction by 7:00am, Monday through Friday. Otherwise, they must hike the JMT. (W. Weaver)
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The Merced Grove is Closed for Restoration
Giant sequoias are adapted to frequent, low-intensity fire and depend on fire for reproduction. Frequent fires reduce fire intensity by thinning the forest of small and unhealthy trees and reducing the accumulation of dead branches and trees. But over the past century, fires were suppressed, and drought and insects killed millions of trees in Yosemite. In the Merced Grove, there is limited sequoia regeneration and fuel loading has increased to dangerous levels. Currently, we cannot safely introduce fire without first mechanically removing fuels first. Since 2020, wildfires have killed almost 20% of mature giant sequoias across their range due to extreme fuel loading, and we aim to prevent that outcome in the Merced Grove. Therefore, we are removing small diameter conifers, hazard trees, and dead and downed wood to reduce wildfire risk to the sequoias and firefighters as preparation for the first prescribed fire in and around the grove. The grove will be closed for 2.5 months during the restoration for visitor and worker safety. Please contact garrett_dickman@nps.gov with questions or for access. (G. Dickman)
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Wawona and Yosemite Valley Wildfire Protection Project
As part of an ongoing hazardous fuels reduction project to protect communities, increase forest resilience, and decrease risk to firefighters and the public, small trees and dead and down wood will be removed in Wawona and Yosemite Valley. In Wawona, material north of the south fork of the Merced River on NPS land and private property through a partnership with Mariposa County Resource Conservation District. In Yosemite Valley, crews will be working along North Side Drive between Middle Brother and El Capitan picnic area and between El Capitan woodlot and Pohono Bridge. Actions within Yosemite Valley are in preparation of prescribed fire. Material is either piled to be burned later or transported for carbon capture where it is used for wood products, electricity generation, or used as fill in restoration projects. (G. Dickman)
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Valley-wide Continuous Flow Intersection Improvement Project
The contractor is attempting to re-open Sentinel Drive as soon as possible, one-way, southbound only, depending on availability of materials and favorable working conditions. One lane on Southside Drive, from the Sentinel Meadow chapel to Sentinel Drive, will be closed to divert vehicles and to establish a safe work zone for intersection and pedestrian crosswalk improvements. Crews are also working this week on Yosemite Valley Lodge, the Yosemite Falls Promenade, and the Curry Village Drive intersection with Southside Drive. Patience and understanding are appreciated. Work is happening Monday thru Thursday only.
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Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus Stop Improvements
The NPS contractor continues work at seven sites for new pavement construction in Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and on Happy Isles Loop. Disruption and delays in traffic circulation are to be expected. The contractor is authorized to conduct traffic control operations Monday through Thursday. (J. Donovan)
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Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
The contractor has completed work in Wawona and in Yosemite Valley. However, vehicle chargers are not available until the units can be energized and commissioning is complete. Until further notice, working charging stations are limited to eight at Yosemite Valley Lodge, two at the Ahwahnee Hotel, one at the Village Store, and two between the El Portal market and gas station. (J. Donovan)
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Dispatch Expansion Project
The Dispatch Expansion project will convert most of the El Portal Warehouse lobby into office space for the Emergency Communications (Dispatch) Center. The lobby area is an active construction zone and therefore is off-limits to non-construction workers. To access the Dispatch office area, follow the signs in through the Trails area door just inside the fence/gate. Warehouse occupants and visitors need to use alternate means of ingress/egress until that portion of the construction is finished. Do not enter through the RMS building unless you work there. Expect intermittent construction noise throughout the project, which is scheduled to be completed in September of 2023. Contact Nicole Belle Isle, Project Manager, for more information. (N. Belle Isle)
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Sugar Pine Floodplain Restoration Through November 10
The Vegetation and Ecological Restoration Branch will be conducting restoration work in the floodplain south of Sugar Pine Bridge from August 14 to November 10. This project will excavate fill from historic channels to reactivate the floodplain, provide habitat for aquatic wildlife and plants, and restore natural hydrology. This project is a recommended action from the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan to mitigate the effects of the historic but undersized Sugar Pine Bridge on the Merced River. Earth moving machinery, including excavators and dump trucks, will be operating in this area. Please ask that the public stay out of this area for their safety. To learn more about Merced River restoration visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/mercedriverrestoration.htm (A. Puchkoff)
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Y8 Fuel Station Down
The Y8 gas station is currently down. For gas needs in the meantime, please call the garage from 8 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week at 209-372-1060 to schedule a fill until further notice. We’ll update when the station is back up and running. (C. Layman)