Yosemite National Park
Friday, April 8, 2022
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Sunny. Highs 70 to 78 at 5000 feet…54 to 62 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 44 to 54 at 5000 feet…37 to 43 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Sunny. Highs 64 to 69 at 5000 feet…49 to 55 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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COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATIONS
Testing
Free COVID-19 testing is available through LHI in Yosemite Valley from 10 am to 6 pm on Mondays (West end of Yosemite Medical Clinic) and Thursdays (Curry Village Wellness Center). Walk-Ins are welcome, but advanced registration is encouraged. Visit https://www.lhi.care/covidtesting to schedule a test.
Yosemite Medical Clinic can do COVID testing for anyone who is feeling sick Monday through Friday 9am-5pm (there is a fee associated with the clinic visit, this can be billed to your insurance). The Yosemite Medical Clinic is here to serve Yosemite residents as well as visitors. They offer primary care, accept most insurances, and are accepting new primary care patients. Call 372-4637 to make your appointment.
Vaccinations
The Yosemite Medical Clinic along with the CDC continues to recommend that everyone receive a COVID vaccine series and booster for the highest level of protection against serious illness from COVID. The clinic will continue to offer the Moderna (Spikevax) COVID vaccine (at no cost to the patient) – now fully FDA approved for ages 18 and up. Due to decreasing demand, vaccines will be offered one Wednesday/month, our next Vaccine day will be April 13th. Please register at https://myturn.ca.gov/ if you are in need of a vaccine or booster. Mariposa county will continue to offer the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine at their locations, that schedule can also be accessed at https://myturn.ca.gov/ Please call the Clinic if you have any questions.
The CDC is currently recommending a 4th COVID vaccine dose for severely immunocompromised people only. If you have questions about your status or if you think you need a 4th dose, please contact the clinic at 209-372-4637.
Masking: The CDC is also currently recommending that health care facilities continue to practice universal masking precautions. With this recommendation, the Yosemite Medical Clinic will continue to require that all staff and patients wear masks, regardless of the masking recommendations of other areas of the park. Thanks for helping keep our community healthy.
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NEW & HAPPENING TODAY
Seasonal Opening Of Facilities At Vernal Fall Footbridge
The Vernal Fall Comfort Station and Drinking Fountain at the Vernal Fall footbridge will be open for the 2022 season on Friday, April 8th. (S. Zumbrunnen)
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Biomass Removal & Thinning In Yosemite Valley In Preparation Of Prescribed Fire
Starting around April 11, contractors will be thinning small conifers and removing dead and down biomass near Bridalveil (Presidents) meadow between South Side Drive and Wawona Road. They will also be working between South Side Drive and El Capitan Crossover. Occasional and short (<10 minute) traffic stops may occur. Please watch for workers and equipment. Thanks for your patience through this cross-divisional effort to restore Yosemite Valley. Contact Chad_Drew@nps.gov with questions. (C. Drew)
____________________Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update for April 6, 2022
(https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/update-for-april-7-2022.htm)New Snow: none
Settled Snow Depth: 22 inches
High Temperature: 53 °F (April 1)
Low Temperature: 19 °F (March 31)March Weather Summary
New Snow: 16 inches (Historical Average: 55.5 inches)
Snow Water Equivalent: 0.97 inches (Historical Average: 3.84 inches)
Average High Temperature: 45° F (Historical Average: 43.6° F)
Average Low Temperature:17.8° F (Historical Average: 13.7° F)
Average Temperature: 31.41° F (Historical Average: 28.7° F)
Ski Conditions and Weather: The March weather summary tells the tale of the third month in a row of much drier and warmer weather for the winter. Equally concerning are the snow survey results for the April 1 surveys which historically indicate the peak of water content in the Sierra Nevada snowpack. The Tuolumne River drainage comes in at 41% of “average” for snow water equivalent. This average is derived from 91 years of snow surveying in this drainage. Although there have certainly been drier single winters during this period, the more alarming fact is the persistence of the drought over the past twenty years. As the drier than average years pile up with only a few wet ones thrown into the mix the cumulative effects of drought become more apparent. In our short eleven winter tenure here, we have seen the impacts of the drought, most notably in the tree mortality of the mid-elevation fir forests. Many dead trees stand with their needles still on them. Even the towering red firs that we once skied through to get to our Snow Flat survey are now just bare 200-foot-tall snags. And the “drought tolerant” junipers on the south slopes of Mt Hoffmann are struggling for survival.Not to be total Debbie Downers, we will add that the skiing this week was really good. The corn snow has developed quite well and the skiing at all locations and aspects between 8,000 feet and 11,000 feet (or so) offers excellent spring skiing. Timing and weather of course are key. On a year like this with such a shallow snowpack the amount of bare ground increases daily, and south aspects are mostly bare already. Finding a good base camp may be preferable to longer tours.It sure helps to have area familiarity to plan ski outings that will not involve too much walking on bare ground. A wise mountain sage once said, “Skiing is more fun when the skis are on your feet and not on your back.” The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-60s by the end of the week here at 8,600 feet so the snowmelt will continue to accelerate. This may be your last chance!Skis or snowshoes are still strongly recommended for visiting the Yosemite high country.Skate ski conditions along the Tioga Road and in the meadows and drainages are very good.The east side of Tioga Pass is bare pavement from the closed gate to Tioga Pass. Bicycles are not permitted on the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park presently. Please be aware and respectful that there are road crews working on the east side of Tioga Pass.Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: Please refer to the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) for the avalanche advisory for this part of the Sierra Nevada.The avalanche hazard is mostly low in the Tuolumne Meadows area. There is still potential for wet slides on all aspects, however, especially if the snow surface does not freeze overnight. Wilderness travelers should be wary of deep ski and/or boot penetration and collapsing snow when traveling in terrain steep enough to slide.Snow Travel Tip: This is the time of year that the Pacific Crest Trail and other ambitious hikers decide to posthole into the mountains without the pleasure of gliding on skis. Many of these folks come from other parts of the country or world where the skies can often be overcast and gray. Little do they realize how intense the UV light can be at high elevations especially when reflected by the snow. After a few days traveling their eyes feel gritty and start to water if they aren’t wearing sunglasses. One year we even encountered a person who had sunburned their eyes so badly that they could barely see. This phenomenon is known as snow blindness or, if you want to sound really cool, keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica. If you lose or forget your sunglasses you can make a version like those that have been made for thousands of years by those who inhabit more northerly latitudes. But in lieu of caribou antlers or driftwood, you can carve a slit or poke fine holes into carboard, fabric or good ol’ duct tape and fashion your own pair of snow goggles. At a minimum, hopefully you remembered the sunscreen. You may not feel the burn as it is happening to your eyes or skin, but you may pay the price for years to come if you don’t protect yourself from the sun.Wildlife: The American robin is now singing well before the sun rises and gradually the chorus increases as the sky is illuminated. The dark eyed juncos, mountain chickadees, brown creepers, pine siskins, and red crossbills slowly join in. And, for the crescendo, the Cassin’s finch tries to outdo the noisy northern flicker who really isn’t cut out for the music industry but greets the morning enthusiastically, nonetheless. As we head out the door today, the yellow-rumped warbler sweetly reminds us that ski season is almost over.Questions: The wilderness is open! Please #RecreateResponsibly by planning and preparing thoroughly for your outdoor activities in the park.Read through the following two pages before embarking on any day or overnight snow travel within this park:
Wilderness in Winter: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildwinter.htm
Winter Safety: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/winter-safety.htmYou may contact us (Laura_Pilewski@nps.gov) with any additional winter Tuolumne Meadows related questions. Happy Spring Skiing! (L. & R. Pilewski)=======================================================RECENT NEWSTrailer / Van Spot Available To Rent
Space on shared 10 acre property in Midpines available until November, with possibility to extend. Power and water hookups, private deck and small fenced area. Well-behaved pets considered. Dirt access road, sunrise and sunset views. $500/month or $350/month if you have solar. Email abrush@yosemite.org for information. (A. Brush)
____________________Congratulations Garrett Dickman
Garrett Dickman has received the Regional Director’s Awards for Natural Resources in the Natural Resources Management category. These awards recognize some of PWR's most outstanding employees who have made long standing, game changing contributions in resources management. Garrett was recognized for inspiring hope and action for restoring ecosystem resiliency and giant sequoia persistence within Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks as well as on neighboring lands. Garrett accomplished this in four ways: (1) developing a mixed conifer management strategy; (2) securing financial resources ($13M since 2018); (3) forming highly effective working relationships across park disciplines and divisions as well as external partners; and (4) leading the action on the ground, safely acting at the front of the fireline to protect individual monarch sequoia trees, dozens of which were likely saved through his personal efforts. Garrett is also an outstanding spokesperson for communicating the threats and needs of giant sequoias. In addition to dozens of media appearances on giant sequoia conservation, he partnered with a private film company to develop a moving film titled The Last of the Monarchs. Garrett will next be considered for a national-level award. Many many thanks to Garrett for all the pioneering work he is doing to help giant sequoias in an uncertain future! (A. Demetry)
____________________Happy Isles Art & Nature Center Open
This summer the Conservancy is celebrating its 40th year of art programs in the park with a jam-packed schedule of new classes and offerings as well as the classic Daily Art Classes. Happy Isles Art and Nature Center hours will be 9 am to 4 pm, daily.Classes run Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm, from April 4 through October 28 with a new art teacher every week. The full list of classes is available online at: Yosemite.org/experience/art. Anyone is welcome to attend – no experience necessary! Classes are free for any park employee, as space is available. Email art@yosemite.org to see if there is availability. The Conservancy would love for people to learn more about these programs. (H. van der Grinten)
____________________April 1 Snow Surveys
Park staff have completed the April 1 snow surveys throughout Yosemite. Both Merced and Tuolumne drainages registered at 41% of average. (E. Kretsch)
____________________Crane Flat Prescribed Burn
Fire crews will be conducting prescribed burning operations in the Crane Flat area this week. The unit being worked on is close to the helibase/lookout and is about 100 acres overall. Smoke will be visible from the Big Oak Flat Road. (N. Phillipe)
____________________Yosemite Hospitality Opening for Interpretive Services Manager
Inspire and be inspired as Yosemite Hospitality’s Interpretive Services Manager in Yosemite National Park! The successful candidate will be responsible for directing the Interpretive Services team of naturalists and tour guides, promoting both awareness and awe of Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources to visitors from around the world. As the Interpretive Services Manager, you will develop personal and non-personal interpretive programs for our Yosemite operations, train new guides and tour operators on interpretive skills and strategy, and partner with the National Park Service in executing the Yosemite National Park Long Range Interpretive Plan. As a member of the Yosemite Hospitality Team, you’ll also have the opportunity to live and work in one of most beautiful places on earth, with a vibrant community and endless outdoor recreation opportunities. Yosemite Valley management housing provided. For more information and to apply online visit https://uscareers-aramark.icims.com/jobs/385037/interpretive-services-manager-%e2%80%93-yosemite-national-park/job (L. Cesaro)
____________________Celebration Of Life For Connie Waldron April 22
Connie Waldron worked at Yosemite from June 1992 and retired in September 2007. She worked as a Human Resources Specialist, EEO Counselor and was an Administrative Assistant in the Roads and Trails Division. She was also the first female employee to be recognized with the Barry Hance Award in 2001. In addition, she was instrumental in the Wage Grade petition which assisted many park employees with pay raises.Connie passed away on March 17, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 22 at the Midpines Community Hall. The hall will be open at 10:30AM with a potluck at noon followed by a short service. If anyone has questions, they can contact Andrea at asummerlin@yahoo.com or 541/252-0515. (A. Summerlin)
____________________Rental Available August
1,900 sq ft fully furnished spacious 3 bed/2 bath plus upstairs loft, freshly painted house with tall ceilings, wooden floors throughout, naturally well-lit , 2 decks, 5 acres with a fruit producing orchard, chicken coop and mountain views. Weed eating included. Mariposa. $2,100. References and credit check required. Available August. Email losurdota@gmail.com for more information. (T. Losurdo)=======================================================ONGOING PROJECTSConifer Removal North Of Lower Pines Campground Through April 14
Conifer removal will occur north of the Lower Pines campground to support riparian and floodplain restoration as part of the Merced River Plan. Please avoid this area until after April 14. (G. Dickman)