Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Thursday, February 1, 2024

YOSE Daily Report, NPS
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Daily Report – Yosemite National Park

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast

Today: Breezy. Blowing snow early in the morning. Areas of blowing snow in the late morning and early afternoon. Rain early in the morning. Snow until late afternoon, then snow likely late in the afternoon. Snow may be heavy at times. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times in the morning. Snow accumulation up to 21 inches. Highs 26 to 36. South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 50 mph becoming west 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 35 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight: Colder. Snow likely. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Lows 11 to 25. South winds up to 10 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Tomorrow: Snow likely in the morning, then snow in the afternoon. Patchy blowing snow in the afternoon. Snow may be heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 8 inches. Total snow accumulation up to 45 inches. Highs 19 to 31. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph increasing to 40 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 90 percent.

Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:

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NEW & HAPPENING TODAY

Valley District Meeting Today

Due to the incoming inclement weather, the Valley District meeting scheduled for this Thursday will be postponed – a new date has yet to be set. The El Portal district meeting will still take place but will now be held in the Large Breakroom at the Maintenance Building.

As a reminder, the Yosemite Leadership Team be hosting regular meetings in each district of the park and at Devil’s Postpile NM. All NPS employees are encouraged to attend the meeting in their district and can attend in a different district as schedules allow – please coordinate your attendance with your supervisor.

The purpose of these gatherings will be to highlight the excellent work being done in each district, as well as for Leadership to:
be transparent and communicate with staff,
foster connections to the Director’s RISE initiative,
communicate park-wide priorities,
connect to the park-wide workplan.
If there is a specific topic you would like to see discussed at your district meeting, please email yose_superintendent@nps.gov with the details and we will do our best to fit it into the agenda.

The El Portal district meeting will be on Thursday, February 1st from 2-4pm in the EP Large Breakroom.

All other district meeting dates are TBD. (Office of Superintendent).
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Shadows in the Range of Light: Event Postponed!

Unfortunately, due to the incoming weather this weekend, we are postponing this event until later this month. The event will now take place on February 25th, instead of this weekend. We will reannounce the event closer to the date. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe this weekend! (S. Soroka)

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RECENT NEWS

Badger Pass Nordic Winter Condition Report Week of January 29

The Badger Pass A-frame is open and staffed 7 days/week by Wilderness staff to answer questions and issue Overnight Wilderness permits. A-frame hours are 8:00am-4:00pm, intermittently. Call (209) 372-0408 for current ski/snow conditions.

Snow conditions: With warm stable weather last weekend, we have observed consistent ski touring conditions which are firm in the morning, softening to spring like later in the day. With the upcoming storms predicted to bring over a foot of fresh snow later in the week, those conditions will change to deep powder, with all trails needing to be re-broken, beginning Thursday morning. The upcoming weather is just in the nick of time as our base depth at the A-Frame dropped from 22 to 12 inches in the last week. Daytime high temperatures reached up to 64 degrees while nighttime temps were not consistently getting down to 32, which is important for the snowpack to remain intact. South facing exposures along the Nordic Routes are starting to show bare ground in places.

Remember to bring cross country skis or snowshoes (or rent them from the Nordic Center) if you plan to come up to explore the Wilderness around Badger Pass. Designated Nordic ski routes are intended for ski or snowshoe travel only. There are several examples along the Nordic Routes where hikers, not wearing snowshoes, broke through the ice into the water. This is not only a safety hazard, but also becomes an issue for resource protection.

The Glacier Point Road is groomed all the way to Glacier Point, and into the Bridalveil Campground. The most popular trails that depart from the Glacier Point Road are broken (Dewey 14, Dewey 18, Old GP Road to BVCG, Horizon Ridge, and Bridalveil Creek) with sticks, branches, rocks and logs to be expected just below the snow. Ice bridges over water will be thin. Strong route-finding skills are helpful if you are the first one to ski a trail after fresh snow or if the trail is unbroken.

We look forward to seeing you up here! (C. Carter)
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Pile Burning- Updated for February 1

Yosemite Fire personnel plan to ignite the Foresta woodlot today. Yosemite Fire plans to light the El Portal and Wawona woodlots this week. Air quality information can be found online: https://fire.airnow.gov/
(N. Phillipe)
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Save the Dates!
FREE 5 week Positive Psychology + Personal Development Workshop (virtual)
5 Thursdays 9am-11am
Feb 22, 29, March 7, 14, 21
*Must plan to attend all dates*

Do you have any New Year’s Resolution goals for improving yourself or your life? Would you like some guidance?
The theme of this annual workshop is Positive Psychology, but it won’t stop there. This workshop will incorporate:
– making positive changes in ourselves
-improving relationships through connection and empathy skills
-better understanding our personal perspectives and how they both help and hinder us at the same time

Everything you learn in this class will be evidence-based and in the foundations of psychology modalities presented by Jenni Buczko (Jenni B) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

This course will be on zoom, but is not a “listen in only“ workshop. It will involve learning new concepts and practicing in real time so each participant will have a chance at making the positive changes in their life that they’re looking for. These skills can be applied both in the workplace
or at home. The hope is to give you a foundation towards making small steps towards more joy in your life and less unnecessary suffering. Sentiments of a mindfulness saying are: “Pain is inevitable, but our level of suffering is optional.” We just need to learn how to do this.

Additionally, this is an opportunity for community connection with other Yosemite folks during winter. Community connection can easily increase happiness levels!We will be taking a compassionate approach to change and growth. All are welcome.This is open to all Yosemite Employees, Park Partners and park residents. If you don’t have a secure Internet connection, please reach out and we will help find you one in Yosemite Valley.

To RSVP, be added to the interest list, or for any questions: email Jenni.Buczko@gmail.com

***This program is sponsored by Mariposa County Behavioral Health.
This program has been approved by the NPS superintendent’s office to attend on work time with supervisor’s approval.
***Yosemite Hospitality leadership has also been approved for attending this workshop on work time with the approval of their direct report.
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Sydney Montroy, Mather Interpretation Supervisor
Welcome to Sydney Montroy, the new Mather District Supervisor for Interpretive Field Operations. Sydney has a long history in visitor services in Yosemite, including supervising Valley campgrounds for a number of years, as well as working a seasonal ranger, and being a part of the Yosemite Leadership Program Internship. Most recently she used her superpowers as the one and only admin for the I&E division. Sydney will be supervising interpreters at the Big Oak Flat Information Station in the spring, and who give programs at Hetch Hetchy, Crane Flat, Tuolumne Grove, and the western half of Tioga Road. Sydney detailed into the position last summer, and we’re excited to have her on board permanently. (S. Miyako)

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Welcome to Sean Marick
A big welcome to Yosemite and Yosemite Valley Interpretation to Sean Marick. Sean will be the new Valley Seasonal Supervisor. We’re glad to have you here! (E. Weeks)

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ONGOING PROJECTS

Dispatch Expansion Project

The Dispatch Expansion project is converting most of the El Portal Warehouse lobby into office space for the Emergency Communications (Dispatch) Center. The lobby elevator is off-limits except in case of emergency. The lobby stairs are still blocked off and the rest of the lobby area is closed unless you are involved with the project. Warehouse occupants and visitors need to use alternate means of ingress/egress until the re-construction of the stairs is finished. Do not enter through the RMS building unless you work there. To access the Dispatch office area, follow the signs in through the Trails area door just inside the fence/gate. Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Contact Nicole Belle Isle, Project Manager, for more information. (N. Belle Isle)

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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)

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Valley Shuttle Construction Impacts

Service stops 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, 18, and 19 are subject to intermittent closure, due to construction. Stops #1, 16, and 17 are the next closest stops that will remain available throughout construction. (C. Layman)

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Valley Forestry Through March
Valley Forestry will be performing residential tree trimming and hazard removal in Old El Portal, Rancheria and Yosemite Valley through the end of March. Workers will be entering yards for tree inspection and trimming. Email Brian_See@nps.gov for more information or work requests. (B. See)

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