Yosemite Daily Report – Yosemite National Park Friday, June 21, 2024

Yosemite Daily Report – Yosemite National Park
Friday, June 21, 2024

Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Warmer, sunny. Highs 64 to 78. East winds up to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.
Tonight: Clear. Lows 45 to 59. North winds up to 10 mph shifting to the east after midnight.
Tomorrow: Warmer, sunny. Highs 67 to 83. Southeast winds up to 10 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.

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NEW & HAPPENING TODAY

There are no new submissions for today.

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RECENT NEWS

Twin Bridges Blasting Operations Next Week
Trail Crew will be performing a blasting operation the week of 6/24/24 near Twin Bridges of the Merced River below Bunnell switchbacks. Hikers may encounter minor delays for blasting ops. Any questions contact William Weaver at william_weaver@nps.gov (W. Weaver)
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Late Opening Saturday- Yosemite Valley Lodge Pool
The Yosemite Valley Lodge Pool will open at 1PM on Saturday the 22nd. The late opening is so we can conduct continued Lifeguard training from 11AM to 1PM with the entire lifeguard team to help improve their skills and keep them ready with additional training (C. Layman)
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Kudos for Brett Graves
Giant thank you to Brett Graves for the prompt response and helpfulness to assess the structural stability of the Big Oak Flat Information Station! Thanks for your thorough assessment and clear explanations. Our park is lucky to have you on staff (S. Montroy)
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Room for Rent
In Pine Mountain Lake, Groveland: one room in a shared house $700/mo, utilities included. Contact Lori at lezock2@gmail.com (L.Zock)
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Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus Started for the Season
Visit Guided Bus & Tram Tours | Yosemite National Park CA | TravelYosemite.com for the full current schedule and rates. (K. Trust)
Yosemite Medical Clinic Update
Free Counseling Service
Individual counseling or group workshop
By Michele Weisenberger from Evergreen Counseling
Telehealth Monday-Friday or in-person on Tuesday and Thursday at Yosemite Medical Clinic
mweisenberger@evergreencounselingco.com
Tel: (209) 742-5080 ext. 1
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Mariposa Heritage House
Healthcare, food, and housing navigation, (209) 966-7770
1:1 Peer-to-peer support, Aaron Collette, (209) 347-0883 (P. Ulrich)
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Kudos to Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management, and Campground Hosts
Kudos and massive thank you to Sara Robinson, Janna Drew and her crew, Andrea Timpone, Julie Evans, and Katie Patrick for their leadership and professionalism in working with tribal members this past week for the Spring Bear Ceremony and Spirit Camp. Law Enforcement staff went above and beyond to ensure tribal members had access to Tamarack Flat and Tioga Road while they were both closed to public vehicle access. Campground and wildlife management staff collaborated with tribal representatives to address resource protection in Yosemite Valley. Your dedication to fostering meaningful relationships with Tribal partners and problem solving to ensure the success of both events is truly appreciated. (J. Micon)
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Volunteer Recognition Ice Cream Social – next week!
Please join Volunteers-in-Parks and those who love them, at a Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, June 25, from 2-4pm at the Picnic Tables by the Valley Auditorium. We will have lots of ice cream and toppings, with nondairy and GF options. Have you thanked a VIP today?? Questions to yose_volunteers@nps.gov please. (S. Martinez)
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Kudos to Mark Jones, Sergio Ayala, Doug Carlin, and David Patrick
Sending gratitude to the Mather B&G and the HVAC team for responding so quickly to address the broken central A/C in the Big Oak Flat Information Station during a heat wave. Doug Carlin and David Patrick responded quickly with an initial assessment and temporary portable A/C unit. Mark Jones and Sergio Ayala arrived soon after and successfully fixed the building’s central A/C. Thank you so much for all of your helpful and swift responses! (S. Montroy)
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Ice Cut Reopen (JMT Section)
The JMT between Clark Point and Nevada Fall is now open to foot traffic after being cleared from rockfall debris. (W. Weaver)
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Kudos to Christiana Caruso
Huge Kudos to Christiana Caruso for responding to a fire in Crane Flat Campground on 6/14, while camping there. A small fire broke out next to the amphitheater and when she heard of the commotion, Christiana did not hesitate to call dispatch, work with the camp host, and inform guests of the situation and possible precautions. This quick action allowed the fire to be extinguished and the guests to remain safe. She kept a clear head and was able to see possible concerns that she was able to communicate until Fire arrived. Thank you for Christiana for going above and beyond to showcase that a ranger is not only our job, but also who we are! (A. Mccusker)
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Apartment available
On Ashworth Rd., two story cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath 1500 sq/ft, 5 minutes from Mariposa. $1700/mo + $1700 deposit; no smoking, no pets. Contact Ali at 209-769-0665 (E. Bissmeyer)
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Upcoming Yosemite Pride Events

Pride Event: Skill Share Event on 6/23 – Accessible Hike
Join Shannon Giammichele for an accessible hike at 8 am on June 23rd at the Yosemite Wellness Center. RSVP to sogiammichele@gmail.com. Program brought to you by the LGBTQ+ ERG. All work groups are welcome. (C. Lau)

Pride Event: Skill Share Event on 6/23 – Swing Dancing
Join Linda Henneberg for energetic partner dancing at the El Portal Community Hall from 7-9pm on June 23rd. Program brought to you by the LGBTQ+ ERG. All work groups are welcome. (C. Lau)
Pride Event: Skill Share Event on 6/24 – Tracking and Ecology
Join Shannon Joslin & Hope Vince as they share wildlife tracking & cliffside ecology at El Cap Meadow starting at 9 am on June 24th. RSVP to shannon_joslin@nps.gov. As this is an NPS organized event, NPS employees may attend during the workday and in uniform with supervisory approval. Program brought to you by the LGBTQ+ ERG. All work groups are welcome. (C. Lau)
Pride Event: Speaker Series on 6/26 -Connie Lau
On June 26th, join Connie Lau and Finn Westerlund in the Valley Auditorium from 7pm-8pm for program on Queer Ecology. As this is an NPS organized event, NPS employees may attend during the workday and in uniform with supervisory approval. Program brought to you by the LGBTQ+ ERG. All are welcome! (C. Lau)
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ONGOING PROJECTS

Roadside Brushing on the Big Oak Flat Road
Road crews will be removing roadside brush on the Big Oak Flat Road from Crane Flat to the park boundary, expect up to 15-minute traffic delays for this critical work, use caution when driving in the work zone for workers and equipment, thank you. (B. Brantley)
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Mariposa Grove Fencing Installation
Restoration workers will be installing new fencing near the Mariposa Grove Trailhead and Arrival Area (Shuttle Stop Parking Area) 6/18/2024-6/20/2024. This project will construct two sections of split rail cedar fencing along the Mariposa Grove Road at the creek crossing just below the parking area. This fencing will protect monarch sequoias trees’ roots and riparian vegetation burned in the 2022 Washburn Fire from erosion and trampling impacts associated with park visitation. Please direct questions to Melissa Booher (melissa_booher@nps.gov). This project is funded by Washburn Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER). (M. Booher)
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Mist Trail Repair July 1st – October 31st 2024
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 7/1/24 – 10/31/24 (subject to change).
The trail will remain open Fridays, weekends and holidays. 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 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 Thursday. Otherwise, they must hike the JMT. (W. Weaver)
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Bus Stop Construction and Impacts to Yosemite Valley Shuttle Service
Happy Isles Loop remains impassible to transit buses, due to road construction. All bus stops located east of the Curry Village registration access driveway are closed. Until further notice, all valley shuttle buses are operating on the Valley-wide Route (Green) schedule, with eastbound service terminating at Curry Village registration. (J. Donovan)
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Historic Preservation Crew – Post Office
The Yosemite Historic Preservation Crew will be performing stabilization work on the Yosemite Valley Post Office beginning May 6. The project will repair damaged and broken windows, repair cracks in the masonry, and perform preservation carpentry on log elements. There will be no impact on Post Office operations. Please direct all questions to Kevin Brothers (kevin_brothers@nps.gov). (K. Brothers)
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Expect delays: North Side Drive between El Capitan Woodlot to Pohono Bridge
Hazardous fuel reduction is taking place on Northside Drive from El Capitan Woodlot to Pohono Bridge. This work is being conducted in preparation of prescribed fire and provide a safer place for fire fighters to work if a wildfire burns up the Merced River Canyon. The 2018 Ferguson Fire reached Cascades Falls and crossed both Wawona and Glacier Point Roads in a single run. Roads are our primary location to stop wildfires and implement prescribed fire. Personnel will be removing small trees and dead and down material. Wood will be transported to Ackerson Meadow where it will be mixed with fill as part of a massive gully restoration project will the aim of restoring one of the largest mid-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. Mixing the wood with the soil sequesters the carbon and increases the water holding capacity of the soil creating a wetter, more productive meadow.

Please watch for workers and drive slowly through the work zone. Traffic holds are 15 minutes while workers remove woody material. Delays may be expected Mon-Fri, 06:00-16:00 through June 20th. Thank you for your support and understanding. (G. Dickman)
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Caltrans Announces Improvement Project on State Route 140: Cathey’s Valley to Mariposa
On Monday, April 29, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will begin a maintenance project to improve State Route 140 (SR-140) between Cathey’s Valley and the town of Mariposa. Work will include pavement preservation with hot-mix asphalt, and removal and installation of guardrails, culverts, dikes, shoulder backing, signage, and corner curb ramps at seven intersections. Crews will work night shifts for approximately 170 working days, Sunday through Thursday, with alternating lane closures on eastbound and westbound SR-140. Project completion is expected in December 2024. The contractor’s work schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and materials, and construction-related issues. Please drive carefully and watch for laborers and equipment in roadways. (J. Donovan)
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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 Steve Dunakoskie, YOSE SPPM Project Manager, for more information. (S. Dunakoskie)
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Dispatch Expansion Project
The Dispatch Expansion project is converting most of the El Portal Warehouse lobby into additional office space for the Emergency Communications (Dispatch) Center. The lobby stairs are no longer walled off, but the stairwell and adjacent entrance will periodically need to be temporarily closed as work dictates. When the stairs and entryway are blocked off, Warehouse occupants and visitors will need to use alternate means of ingress/egress. 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. Contact Alyssa Sharp, YOSE Project Manager, for more information. (M. Vantzelfden)