Yosemite National Park Monday, May 11, 2020

Yosemite National Park

Monday, May 11, 2020

Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast

Today: Mostly sunny. Windy. Highs 61 to 69 at 5000 feet…49 to 59 at 8000 feet. Gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. Southwest winds 25 to 30 mph over higher elevations. Over higher elevations, gusts up to 55 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of rain and snow after midnight, gusts up to 40 mph in the evening. Near the crest, a 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Windy, colder. Snow level 7500 feet. Lows 40 to 46 at 5000 feet…29 to 35 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 60 mph over higher elevations.

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning, chance of rain. Near the crest, a 50 percent chance of snow. Snow level 7500 feet. Highs 51 to 61 at 5000 feet…40 to 50 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds around 25 mph over higher elevations. Gusts up to 40 mph in the morning.

Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Community Updates As Of May 8

California has moved to stage 2, which allows the opening of some lower risk businesses. This does not include Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is working with public health to determine what it does mean. While it does not trigger re-opening, it may allow Yosemite to bring on more staff to prepare for re-opening.

Please continue calling Mariposa County at 209/966-2000 for assistance with public benefits. Food boxes are still available, and requests are processed quickly. If you’re in need of food for more than one time, please submit the survey again, and Mariposa County will provide another box.

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Virtual Yosemite Forum Tuesday

The Yosemite Forum is going virtual through at least the summer, with the first presentation Tuesday, May 12. Join online at 3:30 pm tomorrow for the first Yosemite Forum talk of 2020: “Tuolumne and Merced river food chains lead to riparian bats and birds” By Dr. Breezy Jackson, UC Merced, Sierra Nevada Field Stations

Although rivers make up a relatively small proportion of the landscape, they provide outsized ecological benefits to wildlife. We studied food chains supported by the Merced and Tuolumne rivers, and found that riparian birds and bats occupy a similar trophic position as predatory fish and are strongly reliant on food webs that begin with photosynthesis by algae. Our study suggests that nutrient cycling through stream-riparian food chains expands the potential influence of river management to organisms and ecosystems typically characterized as terrestrial.

The Yosemite Forum will take place via GoTo Webinar. Please register for this webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8258029821680716559

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Questions? Email Greg Stock at greg_stock@nps.gov. Hope to “see” you then! (G. Stock)

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Crane Flat Hazard Tree Removal March 11-14

The Mather Forestry crew will be removing hazardous trees along the BOF and Tioga roads, in the Crane Flat area. Work will take place March 11 through 14, between 7:30am and 4:00pm. Expect traffic delays. (J. Brown)

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Seeking Room for Rent
Current Rancheria resident seeking a room for rent in El Portal beginning in late May or early June. Single, female, no pets, can provide local references, and will shower roommates with homemade sweets, sourdough bread, and kombucha. If you have a space or room available, please email Allison.smyth11@gmail.com thanks! (A. Smyth)

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CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS

Blasting At Bridalveil Falls May 13

Trail Crew is planning to conduct blasting operations at Bridalveil Falls Wednesday, May 13. The parking area and the trails in the immediate area will be closed for the day. For more information contact Greg Torres at 742-8811 or Greg_Torres@nps.gov. (G. Torres)

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Biomass Removal On Wawona Road

In the next few weeks, contractors will begin hauling an estimated 6.5 million pounds of dead and down trees from along Wawona roads from Alder Creek to the park/forest boundary near Goat Meadow Road. This project removes high fuel loading on the road corridor, helps sequester carbon, and helps protect Wawona, Fish Camp, and the Mariposa Grove as part of an interagency project supported by California Climate Investments and Wildlife Conservation Board.

Delays up to 15 minutes can be expected between 7am to 6pm. Contractors will try to minimize wait times and emergency traffic will be allowed to pass. (G. Dickman)

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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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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)