Yosemite National Park
Friday, April 24, 2020
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Sunny. Highs 66 to 74 at 5000 feet…53 to 63 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 46 to 54 at 5000 feet…36 to 42 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Highs 67 to 75 at 5000 feet…55 to 63 at 8000 feet.
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 AND HAPPENING TODAY
Merced River Closed To Boating
The Merced River is closed to boating/vessels from Clark’s Bridge to Stoneman Bridge. This stretch of river closes when flows are above 4.5 feet as measured at the Pohono Bridge river gauge at 8:00am on the day the river use is to occur. (P. Johnson)
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Mist Trail Open
The Mist Trail is now open. This includes the lower portion along Vernal Fall. The upper portion of the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall is open as well. (P. Johnson)
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Wawona Hotel To Remain Closed For Upcoming Visitor Season – Yosemite News Release April 23, 2020
Electrical Work and Upgrades to be Completed During Closure
The Wawona Hotel in Yosemite National Park will remain closed for the upcoming visitor season in order to complete necessary electrical repairs and upgrades. The Wawona Hotel is generally open to visitors March through November of each year. It is anticipated that the planning and work on the project will be completed and the hotel will reopen to visitors Spring 2021. The National Park Service recently completed an extensive electrical survey with a contractor and it was determined that the current electrical system, dating back to 1917, needs replacement and upgrades for safety and the preservation of the historic buildings.
The National Park Service is in the process of reviewing the complete scope of the work and project timeline. Yosemite Hospitality, authorized concessioner for Wawona Hotel, will continue renovations to the hotel lobby and guest rooms during the closure period. All guests with existing reservations for the Wawona Hotel will be contacted to offer alternative options for their reservations.
The Wawona Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1987. Galen Clark began operation of Wawona Hotel, named “Clark’s Station,” in 1856. In 1875, Clark sold “Clark’s Station” to Henry Washburn, who renamed the site Wawona, an Indian word meaning “Big Trees.” Clark Cottage (1876) is the oldest remaining structure in the complex, built prior to the main hotel building, which was constructed in 1879. The most recent additions are the Annex building opened in 1918, and the golf course and swimming tank, which opened in 1918. (J. Richards)
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RECENT NEWS
Community Updates As OF April 22
The common themes this week are all about phased opening. This will be an ongoing discussion for weeks go come. There were announcements on the federal level regarding government opening, which you can read at https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/. You may have also heard President Trump talking about opening national parks soon. Secretary Barnhardt followed up on that announcement by tweeting, “President @realDonaldTrump, @VP and I are committed to working with governors and local public health officials to gradually reopen our National Parks in a safe manner for the American people to once again enjoy.” YLT and IMT will work with that guidance to define the phases of opening for Yosemite.
Some staff have returned this week to perform critical work in the park. YLT will be reviewing what projects are happening right now and ensure the work being completed complies with public health guidelines. This is something which will constantly be evaluated. Kudos to the speak-up culture of Yosemite. Please continue to speak up if ever you feel unsafe in the tasks you are asked to do. It is even more important during these times.
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Safety & Wellness
According to the CDC, calls to US poison control centers regarding exposure to household cleaners and disinfectants increased substantially (by 20%) corresponding with the rise in COVID-19 cases in March. As a reminder, make sure you are using cleaning chemicals safely by doing the following:
– Follow label directions
– Do not mix chemicals
– Wear protective gear
– Use in a well ventilated area
– And always make sure you are storing chemicals out of reach of children
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Wawona Tunnel Thursday
EP and Valley Road crew plans on cleaning the Wawona Tunnel this Thursday 4/23. At times there will be poor visibility; please use caution. (R. Kish)
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Yard Waste
Valley B&G is making available dump trucks for yard waste. The dump trucks will be staged in two locations. There will be one by the island in lower housing and the other one will be located by the school. This is a great opportunity to give your yard a spring spruce up. These trucks are available in addition to the year-round open top dumpsters. The trucks will be there through next Wednesday, April 29. (S. Yager)
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Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update for April 22, 2020
(https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/update-for-april-22-2020-last-update-for-the-season.htm)
New snow: 7 inches
Total settled snow depth: 28 inches (at 8,600 feet)
High temperature: 50°F (April 16)
Low temperature: 19°F (April 16)
Ski Conditions and Weather: Yosemite National Park remains closed due to COVID-19. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this pandemic. Stay strong and continue to follow the guidance of health officials. Now is not the time to let our guard down. We can emerge from this stronger and more aware of life’s essentials.
It’s Earth Day. Can you imagine we have set aside only one day of the entire year to celebrate the planet, our only home that has given us everything? Well, in an unprecedented turn of events, one may walk outside today and breathe one of the cleanest of breaths of air our lungs have ever had and be able to see farther than ever before from a mountain or building top. The birds can sing their songs freely without the competition of honking horns or the white noise of traffic. And, we humans have more time than ever to reflect on what is most important to us during our brief time on this planet.
Let’s be honest, humans are taking more than the Earth is able to provide. Protecting the Earth should give us a common purpose. May we do better in future days to ensure a viable environment for all living things. May the songs of springtime give us all hope for one another and this fragile planet we call home.
Based on the calendar on the wall and the weather forecast for the next ten days, it would appear that winter is over. In spite of the wet (ish) March and April, the Sierra Nevada is still running at a water deficit. The runoff will accelerate as temperatures here in Tuolumne Meadows are forecast to be near 70°F next week. The Tuolumne River is rising and getting louder each day, and green will soon replace white as the dominant color.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the avalanche advisory for this area of the Sierra Nevada go to https://www.esavalanche.org/for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
The avalanche center has suspended their forecasting for this season due to COVID-19, but they do have a video on their homepage that we recommend along with some valuable snowpack evaluation tools for springtime. As always, we are very grateful to ESAC for their invaluable service to the outdoor community.
Wildlife: While skiing up Lee Vining Canyon towards Tioga Pass, dark grey cumulus clouds were towering overhead with intermittent rays of sunshine slicing through them alternating with veils of rain and snow. The thermals provided the perfect conditions for a pair of bald eagles to circle effortlessly above the cliffs and cascading waters below. It is always inspiring to see a species that was once on the brink of extinction take wing over our national parks. It was a breathtaking reminder of the successes of the Endangered Species Act and how our individual actions can indeed affect positive change.
General Information: The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is closed. This is our final post of the 2019-20 winter season. It is an honor to serve as the Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers. We wish you well and hope to “ski you next winter.” Celebrate Earth Day everyday! (L/R Pilewski)
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Valley Forestry On Lower Falls Trail
Valley Forestry will be removing tree hazards in the Lower Falls trail system. Portions of the trail system will be closed during operations, and work will continue Monday through Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm until further notice. (B. See)
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Re-center, Re-focus, Relax
53% of employees who took the Wellness Survey were interested in guided mindfulness and stress reduction opportunities. Here they are! 20-30 minute stand-alone sessions begin on Tuesday April 21st and will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 9am and 2pm. Offered by Balanced Rock and your local therapist teaming up! Click on the link below for more details and the specific Zoom link.
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Mariposa House For Rent
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath fully furnished cottage in Mariposa, 5-minute walk to grocery stores, shops, and restaurants; 45 min drive to Yosemite NP entrance. Available now through mid-August. Monthly rent $1200, comes with washing machine/dryer, utilities not included. No pets. Please contact greg.yose@gmail.com or call 209-347-0273. (S. Stock)
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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Single Lane Travel & One-Way Traffic Controls On State Route 120 During Spring And Summer 2020
Caltrans will conduct one-way traffic control on eastbound and westbound State Route 120 between Groveland and Yosemite National Park for paving operations. Work began Monday, April 13 and will finish in the Fall of 2020. Work is scheduled between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays and plan travel time accordingly. Work is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. Please drive carefully and watch for warning signs, workers and equipment in the roadway. (J. Donovan)