With very little snow in the high country, the park service
is expected to open Tioga Pass at noon on Thursday, December 23. Traditionally,
once Tioga Pass closes, it doesn't reopen until May or June of the following
year. If you want to see Tenaya Lake over Christmas, this is the year to do
it! For current road conditions and information, call 209-372-0200, and push
the appropriate buttons for road information. Merry Christmas!
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
BOOKSIGNING in San Francisco:
Phil Frank will be signing his book "Fur and Loafing in Yosemite"
(which features cartoons on Yosemite, and is published by the Yosemite Association)
in San Francisco today (Friday, December 10). You can find him at the Golden
Gate National Park Service Bookstore, which is located at 1 Embarcadero Center
(Street Level). He'll be signing books from noon until 2 p.m.
ROAD INFORMATION:
The Mariposa Grove Road is currently open. The Glacier Point Road and Tioga
Pass (HWY 120 east) are closed for the season.
SNOW IN THE HIGH COUNTRY:
Tuolumne Meadows has a total of one inch of snow on the ground.
BUSSING IN YOSEMITE:
At its December 6 meeting the YARTS Authority Commission voted to begin negotiating
a transit service contract with Yosemite Concession Services (YCS) for the 2-year
Demonstration Service to slated to begin in May, 2000. Two proposals, one
from YCS and one from Merced-based Via Adventures, Inc., were received in response
to a Request For Proposals released last month.
The proposals were rated by a panel made up of planners from each of the YARTS
counties (Mono, Mariposa and Merced), Caltrans and the YARTS consultant. The
NPS provided technical assistance to the panel but did not participate in the
rating. While both proposals were well prepared, the panel felt that the
YCS proposal more fully satisfied the service, fare, financial and marketing
requirements of the 2000 Demonstration Transit Service Program.
WEATHER IN YOSEMITE:
Wind advisory until midnight
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 45/29; Tuolumne Meadows 27/03
Today: Windy and sunny. North wind 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph over
the ridges and through the passes. /37
Tonight: Windy in the evening. Clear. North wind 30 to 40 mph with gusts
to 50 mph over the ridges and through the passes. Wind decreasing after midnight.
/24
Tomorrow: Sunny. Windy across the ridges and through the passes. /45
Sunday...mostly clear.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
There are two things that signify it's officially winter
in Yosemite. First of all, Tioga Road (Hwy 120 east) and the Glacier Point Road
are officially closed for the season. They usually reopen around Memorial Day
(end of May). Secondly, Yosemite Winter Ranger Rich Baerwald is back in Tuolumne
Meadows. Read his first winter ranger report at:
http://www.Yosemite.org/diary/Tuolumne.html
****
There are a lot of exciting seminars taking place while Yosemite is at its quietest!
Download a pdf of our Winter Seminars at:
http://Yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm
The PDF is located on the left hand side of the page, right next to the webcam
view.
****
Check out the newsroom for recent news clips. Read about the new Superintendents
plans for the park, the latest in the Yosemite bussing plan, and how bear break-ins
are declining in Yosemite. For articles, go to: http://Yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: Nov. 15 - 21, 1998
Nov.14 - 20, 1999
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
0
2
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
0
6
Total bear incidents year to date:
1398
649
Total property damage year to date:
$615,547 $211,335
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
On November 17, Bear #3534, a 6-year old female, was euthanized as a result
of its recent behavior in Wawona residential areas. The bear had forcibly
entered occupied and unoccupied residences in Wawona on several occasions, indicating
that it was no longer foraging for natural foods and had become increasingly
habituated to human foods. This is the third bear euthanized this year.
Bear #2391 (Orange 5) and her cub have been seen on a nightly basis in Upper
Pines Campground. Bear #1153 (White 33) continues to obtain improperly
stored food from Camp 4.
Vehicle damage is occurring in the El Capitan Area. Food storage lockers
are now available at the El Capitan Picnic Area. Please encourage people
parking overnight in the El Capitan Area to store food in the picnic area. (Wildlife
Management Office, November 20, 1999)
****
x THE WEATHER x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 57/34; Tuolumne Meadows 49/28; El Portal:
no report
Today: Mostly cloudy. Gusty south to southwest winds over higher elevations/57
Tonight: Cloudy with a chance of rain. Windy over higher elevations. Snow level
lowering to 7000 feet late/40
Tomorrow: Scattered early morning showers. Otherwise mostly cloudy. Windy
over higher elevations. Snow level near 6000 feet/46
Extended: Tuesday night, variable cloudiness and breezy with a chance
of showers. Wednesday, a chance of morning showers. Decreasing clouds
in the afternoon. Continued breezy. Thursday, variable cloudiness.
Friday, mostly clear.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The Tioga Road is currently closed. It will be reassessed
today. If it is deemed safe, the road will open with limited hours daily
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closing nightly at 4:00 p.m., and remaining
closed until 10:00 a.m. daily when it will reassessed for daytime use, as conditions
allow.) This daily assessment and possible opening will persist until conditions
make it impossible to keep the road open.
#####
The Glacier Point Road will be open today Wednesday, November 10, to Badger
Pass, but will re-close tonight. This section of road will then remain closed
until the Badger Pass Ski Area opens for the Winter season. The Glacier
Point Road beyond Badger Pass is closed for the season.
#####
x THE WEATHER x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 58/35; Tuolumne Meadows 47/17; El Portal
67/41
Today: Variable high cloudiness /61
Tonight: Partly cloudy /40
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny /65
Friday through Sunday...Variable high clouds. Unseasonably warm afternoons.
#####
Check out the news articles at:
http://yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
Articles include the following:
*****
New park chief signs accord aimed at easing valley traffic
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Starting next summer, Yosemite National Park tourists
will have the option of leaving their cars behind and catching buses into the
scenic valley.
On Wednesday, the park became an official partner in a $750,000 pilot project
to provide shuttles from commuter lots along the three highways leading into
Yosemite.
*****
Loved ones celebrate life of fallen BASE jumper
Thirty people gather at El Capitan in Yosemite for a memorial service for Jan
Davis.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - As a heavy fog obscured El Capitan's cliff edge, where
Jan Davis jumped to her death about two weeks ago, about 30 people gathered
Monday at the granite mountain's base to pay tribute to their fallen comrade.
"I will never ever forget her," said Tom Sanders, her husband of 15
years. "I love her so much. She lived life the way that she wanted to,
and she died the way she wanted to. Life is an adventure. She was epic."
*****
Yosemite chief scales new challenge
YOSEMITE - When the new Yosemite National Park boss arrived last month, he greeted
the ranger at the South Entrance and then got lost on the way to his office.
"That's probably not the right thing to say," Superintendent David
Mihalic said Monday. "But it's the truth."
*****
Yosemite rock-fall theory dismissed
A geologist's link to restrooms lacks support, officials say.
Water from restroom septic systems may have started two massive, fatal rock
falls in Yosemite National Park during the past three years, says an East Coast
research geologist who investigated the slides.
But the National Park Service has dismissed his suggestions to study the theory
more thoroughly, said Chester "Skip" Watts, director of Radford University's
Institute for Engineering Geosciences in Virginia.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
View a batch of new Yosemite Photos at:
http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/scenicarch.htm
These images were gathered from website visitors like you.
*****
Yosemite is making national headlines again. Read the most recent news stories
in our newsroom at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/index.htm
*****
While you're in the newsroom, check out the Farley cartoons from October 1999.
*****
We've also added a number of new links to our site. The National Park Service
recently posted complete information about the Yosemite Wilderness on their
site. We also discovered a collection of great Quicktime VR movies. To visit
these new areas on the web, visit our links page at:
http://www.yosemite.org/links/index.htm
*****
THE WEATHER
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 76/40; Tuolumne Meadows 63/22; El Portal
no report
Today: Mostly sunny /73
Tonight: Increasing high clouds. Becoming breezy at the higher elevations
/43
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny /67
Wednesday : Partly cloudy in the morning...then increasing clouds in the afternoon.
Breezy at the higher elevations.
*****
FALL COLORS:
The leaves are going gang-busters in Yosemite. The broad-leaf maples and Black
Oaks are turning their signature golden color, and the dogwoods are pink. It's
a great week to visit the park. And if you're coming up, drive over Tioga Pass
to check out the Aspen groves near Mono Lake and June Lake. They are peaking
right now, as well.
All spring and summer leaves have been using chlorophyll, xanthophyll, and carotenoid
pigments to make food from air, water, and sunlight.
As temperatures cool and days get shorter, leaves on deciduous trees stop producing
chlorophyll and the familiar green color fades away to reveal the other pigments
which have been masked all season. Quaking aspen and big-leaf maple display
the yellow carotenoids. Continued sunny days and cool nights traps sugars in
leaves and some leaves will form the red pigment anthocyanin, coloring trees
like dogwoods or the non-native sugar maple near the Chapel, or vines like the
poison-oak along the El Portal Road a brilliant orange, fiery red, or even purple.
The best autumn colors occur under conditions of clear, dry, and cool but not
freezing weather, like we've been enjoying this October.
The degree of color may vary from tree to tree and even leaf to leaf. Leaves
directly exposed to the sun may turn red, while shaded leaves may be yellow.
Leaves on some trees like white alders or California buckeyes (which lose their
leaves earliest due to summer drought adaptations) just wither and turn brown.
Leaves on some California black oaks will linger all winter and only fall next
spring when new leaves emerge. All of the live oaks and the conifers will keep
their newest leaves throughout the winter to get a head start on food production
next spring. (Adapted from Why Leaves Change Color, USDA FS-12 and Physiology
of Woody Plants, Kramer and Kozlowski, by Park Forester Brian Mattos.)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Beginning today, vehicles are no longer allowed to park
overnight along the Tioga Road corridor. As long as favorible weather remains
in the forecast, the May Lake Road will remain open for day use.
****
As of October 14, 1999, due to safety concerns and construction operations,
the Hetch Hetchy Road will be closed 24 hrs/day, including weekends,until further
notice. Access into the backcountry in this portion of the park is available
through alternate trailheads; wilderness permits are required for overnight
stays. For details on these trailheads and on obtaining a wilderness permit,
contact the Wilderness Center or use the park's recorded information line at
372-0200 and press 4.
****
Crane Flat Campground is closed for the season. Porcupine Flat Campground will
close for the season on Friday, October 15 at noon. Hodgdon Meadow Campground
is now first come, first served.
****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park Oct. 4 - 10, 1998 / Oct. 3 - 9, 1999
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
11 / 4
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
2 / 7
Total bear incidents year to date:
1342 / 580
Total property damage year to date:
$593,177 / $192,774
Bear Activity Report from the Field
Bear #2283 (White 37) and her two cubs were captured on October 6 at El Capitan
Straight. The bears are suspected of breaking into vehicles parked overnight
in the area. The sow and cubs were released on site. Proper food
storage enforcement has increased along El Capitan Straight due to the high
volume of vehicles being parked in the area and to protect Yosemite's bears.
Several bears continue to obtain human food from campground bear boxes on a
nightly basis. It is very important that bear boxes are properly latched
after closing the door.
****
Trails Closed due to Proximity to fires: All access to Rancheria Mt. is closed
due to fire. The Harden Lake trail into Pate Valley and the Grand Canyon of
the Tuolumne has been opened. South of Bridalveil Campground, the trail cutoff
from the Deer Camp Trail to the Ostrander Trail is closed, the Ostrander
Lake Trail and the Deer Camp Trail is closed. The Kibbie Creek trail is also
closed, however access to Kibbie Lake is available via the Kibbie Ridge Trail.
The Lake Eleanor campground is open. The trail from Yosemite Creek Campground
Road that connects to the Yosemite Creek Trail is closed. An alternate route
is from the Lukens Lake trailhead on the Tioga Road, through Yosemite Creek
Campground.
****
x The Weather x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 86/54; Tuolumne Meadows 68/27; El Portal
96/53
Today: Sunny/83
Tonight: Clear/48
Tomorrow: Sunny/83
Extended forecast: Saturday through Monday...clear. Locally gusty
north to northeast winds through the Kern County passes Saturday and Sunday.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The Yosemite area is experiencing rain and cooler temperatures
today. Check out the live webcam to see a cloudy view of Yosemite (it's cloudy
at 10:30 am Pacific Time on October 6, 1999--the clouds may go away, so check
out the webcam soon!)
http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/
****
Yosemite National Park may have a new superintendent says the Fresno Bee:
"Glacier National Park Superintendent David A. Mihalic, 53, is expected
to be named superintendent of Yosemite National Park Thursday, replacing Stanley
T. Albright, 68, sources said Tuesday.
Albright reportedly will be named natural resources consultant to National Park
Service Director Robert Stanton. Stanton and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt
are scheduled to make the announcement Thursday in Yosemite."
Read the full article at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/October/100699.htm
****
A lightning storm over the weekend of September 18th produced seven fires;
four have been suppressed because of smoke production concerns and proximity
to developed areas and three are being managed for resource benefit.
For Park Visitors interfacing with trail closures, the trail hazards associated
with fires include: erratic fire behavior, rolling rocks and logs, falling snags
and trees and heavy smoke and limited visibility. Quality of air within
visitor use areas is moderate to good. Smoke is present in the El Portal area
and in Yosemite Valley, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Several
wildfires throughout the state of California are contributing to smoke
presence in Yosemite and the surrounding area. Yosemite's managed lightning
fires are being monitored for smoke production. Protection of historical artifacts,
cultural sites and the infrastructure of the park are high priorities.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Hetch Hetchy Road Update:
The Hetch Hetchy Road will be closed at the Camp Mather gate due to road construction.
This closure will be effect 24-hrs/day, including weekends, until Friday October
8th.
The contractor will reassess the safety conditions of the road during the week
of October 4th to determine if the road will reopen for weekend access later
in October. Call the park's recorded information line at 372-0200 for
updated access information.
Access into the backcountry in this portion of the park is available through
alternate trailheads and wilderness permits are required for overnight stays.
Information on these trailheads and on obtaining a wilderness permit can be
obtained at the Park's Wilderness Center through October 16 or by calling the
park's recorded information line at 372-0200 and pressing 4. (Susan Gonshor)
****
El Portal Road Update:
Daytime construction work will begin Monday, October 4, 1999 on the El Portal
Road. Access hours will be limited to between 6:30am-8:00am and 4:30pm-10:30pm
daily, including weekends. The road is scheduled to be closed between
8:00am-4:30pm and 10:30pm-6:30am daily, including weekends. Call the park's
recorded information line at 372-0200 for the most updated information.
The traffic plan implemented last spring will be reinstated beginning on October
4th. Vehicles will line-up at the closed gate in El Portal and in the
right travel lane beginning at the stop sign located at the west end of the
El Cap straight-a-way on Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley. Traffic WILL NOT
BE ALLOWED to line-up at the intersection of the Big Oak Flat and El Portal
Roads or to wait in the turnout at this location. All Hwy 140 westbound
traffic at these locations will be directed onto Southside Drive and the El
Cap Crossover to line-up with all other traffic exiting the Valley on Hwy 140.
A pilot car/driver will open the gates at 6:30am and at 4:30pm. Vehicles
will generally be allowed to travel unescorted through the construction area.
Major road reconstruction, including building mechanically stabilized earth
(MSE) walls, will occur between the park boundary in El Portal and the Arch
Rock Entrance Station this fall. Traffic lights and flagging operations
will be put in place throughout the month. Convoys and continual pilot car escorts
will be initiated only when absolutely necessary for safe travel.
Rough road conditions will continue to exist within the construction zone, please
use caution, do not pass other vehicles, and obey the posted 25-mph speed
limit. Remember to allow extra time in your schedule when traveling between
El Portal and Yosemite Valley. Standing, stopping, parking, turning around,
and discharging of passengers within the construction zone is prohibited.
Hiking, bicycling and pedestrian use of the road way is also prohibited.
We realize that the rough road conditions and limited access hours affect your
travel on the El Portal Road. We appreciate your understanding and patience
during this construction period - the project is scheduled to be completed by
this time next year! (Susan Gonshor)
****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: Sept.19-25, 1999 /
Sept.20-26, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
3 / 4
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
8 / 4
Total bear incidents year to date:
542 / 1,325
Total property damage year to date:
$185,619 / $586,627
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
Bear #2052 (White 32) and her two cubs have been very active in the Yosemite
Valley campgrounds. The three bears, along with a dark brown untagged
bear, are obtaining substantial amounts of improperly stored food. Several
campers have lost food after forgetting to shut their food storage lockers at
night.
There was evidence of a bear at a Tuolumne Lodge bear-proof trash can on the
morning of September 24. The door of the trash can was jammed open and
there were paw prints all over it, although there was no evidence the say that
the bear got any food. (Wildlife Management Office)
****
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 87/51; Tuolumne Meadows 72/30; El Portal
no report
Today: Sunny/90
Tonight: Clear/52
Tomorrow: Sunny/90
Extended forecast: Friday through Sunday: Sunny days and clear nights.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
An article from the Fresno Bee - September 24, 1999
Yosemite slowdown
New river plan must precede one for valley.
This was supposed to be the time for the National Park Service finally to unveil
its new plan to decongest Yosemite Valley. Sadly, the Park Service will miss
yet another of its deadlines - this time because it failed to comply with a
different deadline years ago. The delay is not only frustrating, but makes it
virtually impossible for the Clinton administration to implement a new
valley plan even if it manages to devise one during the remainder of its tenure.
Read the full article at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/september/092499.htm
****
Phil Frank has featured Yosemite in his Farley cartoons almost daily. Grab a
cup of coffee and log on to view this week's batch:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/farley/farley0999b.htm
****
The John Muir Trail is open between the Vernal Falls footbridge and Clark's
Point. It was closed for quite some time due to rockfall.
****
Wilderness Management is proud to announce the addition of a new section of
Wilderness information to the park's website. The Wilderness web pages have
been under development for the last year and provides comprehensive trip planning
information including: how to get a permit/reservation, trail descriptions with
mileage, food storage, trail conditions, weather, and much more. Take a look
at
http//www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/
****
Road construction is underway on the Hetch Hetchy Road. For the month
of September, this road will be closed to the public at the Camp Mather Gate
24-hrs/day. Throughout the remainder of the construction period (project
completion is scheduled for May 26, 2000), the road is expected to be closed
at the Camp Mather Gate at 7am on Mondays and reopen for weekend use on Fridays
at 5pm. Inclement weather and safety concerns may occasionally cause the
road to remain closed throughout some weekends. Call the park's recorded
information line at 372-0200 for the most updated road conditions and access
information.
Access info the backcountry in this portion of the park is available through
alternate trailheads. Information on these trailheads and on obtaining
a wilderness permit for overnight stay can be obtained from the park's Wilderness
Office or by calling the park's recorded information line at 372-0200 and pressing
4.
****
Trails Closed due to Proximity to fires: All access to Rancheria Mt. and to
Pate Valley is closed due to fire. South of Bridalveil Campground, the trail
cutoff from the Buck Camp Trail to the Ostrander Trail is closed, the
Ostrander Lake Trail and the Buck Camp Trail is closed. The Kibbie Creek trail
is also closed, however access to Kibbie Lake is available via the Kibbie Ridge
Trail. The Lake Eleanor campground is open.
****
The Ansel Adams Gallery announces exhibit schedule for September - December
1999.
August 15th - September 30th: Galen Rowell, Yosemite and the High Sierra.
Galen Rowell is one of the country's leading adventure and wilderness photographers.
His classic images have been created over the past four decades, spanning a
career that has included over 20 Himalayan expeditions, trips to both poles
and more than a hundred first ascents on several continents. Rowell's
unique imagery is the result of his continuing visual pursuit in which the art
becomes the adventure, and vice versa. He has published thirteen large
format books of his work and in 1984 received the Ansel Adams Award for his
contributions to the art of wilderness photography.
October 1st - November 15th: Frans Lanting, Wildlife Photography.
Hailed as one of the great nature photographers of all time, Lanting's influential
work has appeared in books, magazines and exhibits around the world. For the
past two decades he has lived as a professional nomad documenting animals and
our relationship with nature. Lanting has increased worldwide awareness
of ecological treasures and problems in far corners of the earth. He has
received numerous prestigious awards including top honors from the World Press
Photo and designated by the BBC as "Wildlife Photographer of the Year"
in 1991.
November 16th - December 31st: Ted Orland, Hand Colored Photographs.
Ted Orland's hand-colored black and white photographs follow in the West Coast
tradition of fine craft printmaking, but engage a wide range of contemporary
subject matter. Orland first visited Yosemite in 1966 as a student in
the Ansel Adams' Summer Photography Workshop. In the 1970's he became
assistant to Ansel Adams and printer of the Adams' Yosemite Special Edition
Prints. In 1987 Orland became the first photographer to receive a National
Park Service Artist in Residency in Yosemite.
****
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 77/56; Tuolumne Meadows 61/31; El Portal
no report
Today: Sunny, except partly cloudy in the afternoon near the Sierra crest/83
Tonight: Clear/54
Tomorrow: Sunny except a few afternoon clouds near the crest/86
Extended forecast: Sunday and Monday: Clear and warmer than normal.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy and cooler, breezy.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
It's stormy in Yosemite! Check out Yosemite Association's
live webcam to see the cloudy day Yosemite is experiencing (Wednesday, September
22) http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm
*****
The Yosemite Association makes these email updates possible. To find out more
about the Yosemite Association and the benefits of membership, visit our website
at:http://www.yosemite.org/member/index.htm
*****
Yosemite Receives Award From American Society of Landscape Architects
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) awarded Yosemite National
Park a Centennial Medallion, a once-in-a-century honor received by a select
few of America's "places of the heart" -- landscapes that improve
the quality of life in our nation. Greg Hauser, ASLA Sierra Chapter President,
presented the Centennial Medallion to Stanley Albright, Superintendent of Yosemite
National Park, today in the park.
"Honoring Yosemite National Park as one of our country's greatest landscapes
is a fitting way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American Society
of Landscape Architects," says Greg Hauser, President of the Sierra Chapter,
ASLA. The ASLA medallion award program is intended to build a better understanding
of the landscape architecture profession by helping the public understand that
these significant national and regional sites are planned and designed, and
not simply preserved stretches of nature. Yosemite joins 362 historic
landscape sites around the nation, including the U.S. Capitol grounds and New
York's Central Park, in receiving this centennial honor.
The American Society of Landscape Architects, founded one hundred years ago
in 1899, represents more than 13,000 members nationwide. Landscape architecture
is a comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, management,
preservation and rehabilitation. Landscape architects hold graduate or
undergraduate degrees. Licensed to practice in 46 states, landscape architects
are also required to pass a rigorous national examination.
The Centennial Medallion was designed and manufactured by Canterbury International,
as a gift to the ASLA's centennial celebration. The California-based company,
which specializes in the manufacture of commemorative furnishings for special
purposes, also donated $50,000 to ASLA's centennial programs.
*****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: Sept.12-18, 1999
/ Sept.13-19, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
11
/ 41
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
4
/ 5
Total bear incidents year to date:
527 / 1,317
Total property damage year to date:
$183,494
/ $584,027
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
At least two untagged bears have been breaking into private residences in Wawona.
Methods of entry include tearing off screens from open windows, peeling off
side paneling and ripping through screen doors. The bears have obtained
human food on several occasions. Attempts to capture the bears are in
progress.
Bear #2052 (White 32) and her two cubs have returned to Yosemite Valley since
being relocated on September 7. The three bears have been seen breaking
into vehicles without food in the Wilderness Parking Lot.
Bear #2283 (White 37) and her two cubs have returned to the West Valley after
spending some time in the Valley campgrounds in the East Valley the week before.
The sow is being monitored with radio telemetry.
Several bears and deer have been hit by vehicles recently. A sow was hit
and killed on the Glacier Point Road on September 12. The bear had two
cubs that were not injured. On September 14, a cub was hit by a vehicle
in the same location the sow was killed two days earlier. On September
17, another bear was hit by a vehicle on the Glacier Point Road near Summit
Meadow. A bear was hit on Hwy 120 near the Big Meadow Overlook on September
18. A reminder to obey all speed limits and to be aware of animals crossing
the road!
****
The section of the John Muir Trail which is currently closed due to rockfall
is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, September 23.
****
x The Weather x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 84/57; Tuolumne Meadows no report; El Portal
no report
Today: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Locally heavy rain
and gusty wind possible near thunderstorms/79
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Locally heavy rain and gusty
wind near thunderstorms/62
Tomorrow: Variable cloudiness with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Locally
heavy rain and gusty winds possible/83
Extended forecast: Thursday night: Evening showers and thunderstorms followed
by decreasing cloudiness. Friday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of an afternoon
shower or thunderstorm. Saturday and Sunday: Fair and warm.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Welcome to another email update from the Yosemite Association.
Anyone who loves Yosemite should help protect the park by joining YA. Visit
our membership page for more information:
http://www.yosemite.org/member/shopt.htm
Need a break from the workday? View new Farley cartoons at: http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/farley/farley.htm
Meet cartoonist Phil Frank at a booksigning and program on September 14 at 7:30
p.m. at the Yosemite Lodge Amphitheater, and at 2 pm on September 14 at the
Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
Read about Yosemite's high country and its enduring beauty in an article published
by the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/september/090499.htm
****
Bear Days in Yosemite!
All park employees, residents, and visitors are invited to participate in these
upcoming bear events:
* 2nd Annual Apple Picking - Help remove this unnatural food source and protect
Yosemite's bears! Come pick up apples from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Monday,
September 13 at Lamon's Orchard (located near the Yosemite Valley Stables),
on Tuesday, September 14 at Curry Orchard (Curry Village Overnight Parking Area),
and Wednesday, September 15 at Lamon's Orchard.
* Phil Frank Book Signing - Phil Frank, famous Farley cartoonist, will be available
to sign copies of his new book, "Fur and Loafing in Yosemite" outside
the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14.
* Phil Frank Evening Program - Phil Frank will be appearing at Yosemite Lodge
Amphitheater for a program and book signing on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30
p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
****
Campground Update
- Tamarack Flat, Yosemite Creek and Bridalveil Creek Campgrounds are closed
for the season. Tuolumne Meadows and White Wolf campgrounds will close on Sept
26 at noon. Wawona Campground will go to self registration starting 9/26. Crane
Flat will close and Hodgdon Meadow will go to self registration on 10/11. Porcupine
Flat campground will remain open weather permitting until 10/15.
****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: Aug.29-Sept.4, 1999 / Aug.30 - Sept.5,
1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
24 / 56
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
15 / 11
Total bear incidents year to date:
487 / 1,194
Total property damage year to date:
$171,529 / $540,632
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
Bear #2052 and her two cubs have been extremely active in Yosemite Valley Campgrounds
and along Boystown Fire Road, where she is suspected of several break-ins.
Bear #2312 was trapped in the Ahwahnee Hotel parking lot on August 31 and relocated
near the south entrance. The trap was placed there after break-ins occurred
during the previous nights.
Bear #3884 obtained human food on at least four different occasions this week
in Housekeeping Camp from unclipped dumpsters and unsecured food. The bear was
trapped in Housekeeping on September 1, radio collared, and relocated to the
Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Bear #2391, a four year old sow with one black cub, was trapped on the Boystown
Fire Road on September 1 and released on site. This bear has just recently begun
to be seen in the Valley. Attempts to capture the cub were unsuccessful.
A bear with an orange tag in the right ear has been seen on a nightly basis
in Upper Pines Campground and has broken into at least one car containing improperly
stored food. The bear is very timid and has not yet been positively identified
by tag number.
Bear #2227 and her two cubs were chased off of a cabin roof in Tuolumne Meadows
Ranger Camp, and out of the other two cabins. These cubs also gained entry into
the Tack Room at the YCS Stables where there is a grain bin. The cubs were found
without their mother, and had not been able to get into the grain bin, and were
removed from the room.
Bear #1250 and her three cubs were seen in the Tuolumne Meadows Campground on
September 2 in a site where the food was put away and secured, but the people
had drained their dinner on to the ground and the cubs were seen cleaning up
the area. She was seen later that same night alone, but hasn't been seen again
since then. (Wildlife Management)
****
x The Weather x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 89/58; Tuolumne Meadows 73/33; El Portal 100/60
Today: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds
near thunderstorms/86
Tonight: A chance of showers or thunderstorms in the evening, otherwise partly
cloudy. Gusty winds near thunderstorms/55
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. An isolated thunderstorm possible near the crest in
theafternoon/86
Extended forecast: Sunday through Monday: Mostly clear.
****
Trails closed due to proximity to fires: The Rancheria Mountain trail from Rancheria
Falls to the Kerrick Canyon junction is closed. All access to the Grand Canyon
of the Tuolumne (Pate Valley) trail remains closed. The Lake Eleanor campground
has re-opened. The Kibbie Creek trail from Lake Eleanor to Kibbie Lake is closed
indefinitely due the number of hazard trees. The trails in the Ostrander area
are open, however, caution should be used on the Ostrander Lake trail due to
potential for falling trees. Sawyers will be in the area today working to clear
these hazards.
Visitors may encounter light smoke in areas near these fires. During morning
and evening hours, smoke may be more visible in the lower elevations, such as
Yosemite Valley. These conditions may obscure park vistas. Visitors with respiratory
problems may need to use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas. All
park roads, campgrounds, and entrances, including State Route 120 West outside
Yosemite, are open. For current road, trail, and weather conditions, call the
park's updated information line at (209) 372-0200. Maps of recent fire activity
and additional information about fire in Yosemite are available on the Yosemite
Fire Management website at http://fire.nifc.nps.gov/fire/yose.
(PIO)
****
Repair Work To Begin On Hetch Hetchy Road
Road construction along a 7.2-mile section of the Hetch Hetchy Road in northwestern
Yosemite National Park will begin September 7, 1999. During the construction
period, the road will be closed at the Camp Mather gate at 7 a.m. on Mondays
and will reopen for weekend visitation at 5 p.m. on Fridays. Inclement weather
and safety concerns may occasionally cause the road to remain closed through
the weekend. The construction project is expected to be completed by Memorial
Day, 2000.
The work approved in the Environmental Assessment will include:
* Addition and/or replacement of culverts and headwalls at 15 locations to improve
drainage;
* Removal of at least 100 damaged pavement sections, sealing of surface cracks
and installation of a two-inch asphalt overlay on the entire road;
* Regrading and paving drainage ditches to better control run-off;
* Repairing damaged embankments and the existing dry-stack stone walls.
The road was damaged in January, 1997 when floodwaters overtopped culverts and
severely eroded embankments and the road's edge. As a result of this damage,
several sections of the Hetch Hetchy Road have since been restricted to one-way
traffic.
The City of San Francisco will be funding and managing the construction project,
working with National Park Service staff to ensure that construction is done
in a manner that is sensitive to the park resources and visitor needs. For the
most updated access information, call Yosemite's recorded road and weather information
line at (209) 372-0200.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
PREDICTING ROCKFALLS...
The June rockfall near Curry Village was the precursor to an even bigger rockslide,
experts say. Geologists trying to predict the rockfall placed Seismic sensors
around the "loose piece" of granite. If the large piece of granite
moves--even slightly--the sensors will alert geologists.Read about it at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/august/082299.htm
YOSEMITE FIRES
Wild fires closed Highway 120, west of Yosemite earlier this week. If you're
heading to the park, Highway 120 is now open, though you may encounter delays
of up to 20 minutes. View an article on the fires at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/august/082299a.htm
BEAR INCIDENTS
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: August 15 - 21, 1999 /
August 16 - 22, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
36 / 59
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
14 / 12
Total bear incidents year to date:
389 / 1,026
Total property damage year to date:
$151,782 / $468,690
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
On August 15, a sow with two cubs was spotted near a vehicle break-in on Soda
Springs Road. It appeared to be bear #1250, but no ear tag could be spotted
and only two cubs (of three) were accompanying her. On August 16 at 3:40 am,
bear #1250 gained entry to one cabin in Tuolumne and obtained food, although
no notable damage was seen. She then attempted entry to another cabin through
the window on the door, damaging the screen.
On August 16, bear #2364 was euthanized due to its habituation to human food
and the bears involvement in extensive property damage to government, concessionaire
and visitor property. The bear was a 357 lbs., 7 year old bear that had obtained
human food on a regular basis for the last 3 years in Yosemite Valley. On August
17, bear #2277 was darted near Upper Cathedral Lake after ripping into a tent
and dragging out a sleeping bag. The bear was tagged Orange 50 and released
on site. There have been several bears in that area and many bears are obtaining
improperly stored human food from several backpackers.
A bear was hit by a vehicle in Wawona on August 17. The bear suffered serious
injuries and had to be destroyed. It is believed that this sow was nursing cubs
which have not been seen since the bears death. There have been vehicles damaged
by bears near the Water Tower above Happy Isles this past week. All employees
who normally park in that area are encouraged to remove all food, trash, and
attractants from their vehicles.
On August 19, bear orange #39 was trapped in the Tuolumne Meadows Stables parking
lot and release on August 20. It is not believed that she is involved in any
of the bear damage that has plagued the area. On August 20 at 11:10 pm, bear
#1250 and two of her three cubs came through Ranger camp in Tuolumne Meadows
and gained entry into cabin #3058 through the wall. This is one of the six cabins
that was not hard sided this spring.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
FREE ENTRANCE TO YOSEMITE
Yosemite National Park will be celebrating the National Park Service's 83rd
birthday with a "free fee" day on Wednesday, August 25, 1999. Visitors
will be admitted to the park free of charge. Founded on August 25, 1916, the
National Park Service was established "to conserve the scenery and the
natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the
enjoyment of the same in such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment
of future generations."
The annual "free day" was created in 1988 when Congress authorized
the National Park Service to designate one day each year when visitors could
enjoy the parks without paying an entrance fee. The free fee is only for admission
to the park. Use fees such as for camping and other activities are not included.
Yosemite's entrance fee is $20 per vehicle and is good for a seven day period.
*****
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park:
August
8 - 14, 1999 / August 9 - 15, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
35 101
Bear damage report in park campgrounds: 29
26
Total bear incidents year to date:
336
950
Total property damage year to date:
$136,987 $447,965
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
Bear #2364 was extremely active throughout Yosemite Valley this week and was
seen several times at the scene of vehicle break-ins. He was also seen obtaining
trash at the Village Grill and the Curry Village Amphitheater.
On August 8, a man sleeping outside in a sleeping bag was bitten on the hand
by an bear in Upper Pines Campground. At least two bears were seen in the area
but it could not be determined who had bitten the camper. A trap was placed
near the site of the incident and bear #1278 was caught the next night and relocated.
On August 9, a camping party between Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes had one
of their aluminum bear canisters broken into by an unidentified bear. Two different
bears attempted to get into the canisters and the second was successful by throwing
a canister against the rocks and pounding on it until the end came off. The
bear consumed all of the food inside despite attempts by the campers to chase
it off. On August 12, bear #1250 (Yellow #8) was found in a minivan with her
three cubs on the Soda Springs road in Tuolumne Meadows. All vehicle damage
in Tuolumne Meadows has been done by popping the window in by pushing on it,
and all the break ins were located either in the Tuolumne Campground, Cathedral
Lakes trailhead, Soda Springs road, or Dog Lake parking lot.
Bear #1250 has also been sighted in Tuolumne Campground on a regular basis,
and is able to obtain food regularly from visitors who leave their bear boxes
open while they are awake and in their site but are not actively using their
bear box. She will come within 5ft. of an unwary visitor to obtain food not
actively being used. This bear also targets visitors who arrive at their site
late at night and are unloading their vehicles and leave the vehicle doors open
and unattended. (Wildlife Management)
*****
x The Weather x
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 93/57; Tuolumne Meadows 70/32;
El Portal 95/58
Today: Sunny except for a few afternoon clouds near the Sierra crest/91
Tonight: Clear/51
Tomorrow: Sunny except for a few afternoon clouds near the Sierra crest/93
Extended forecast:
Saturday: Mostly clear, except for a few afternoon clouds near the crest.
Sunday: Mostly clear, except partly cloudy near the crest in the afternoon
with a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms.
Monday: Mostly clear in the morning, partly cloudy in the afternoon with
a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The Yosemite Association presents our hilarious new book,
Fur and Loafing in Yosemite, a collection of cartoons by Phil Frank. Phil Frank's
cartoon strip, "Farley" is published six times a week in the San Francisco
Chronicle, and his aberrant cast of characters often venture to Yosemite. Fur
and Loafing features over 200 Yosemite-related Farley cartoons,capturing the
day-to-day activities, politics, tourists, and management complexities at Yosemite
National Park with amazing insight and loads of humor. For more information,
and to order, visit:
http://www.yosemite.org/bkstore/furandloaf.htm
Not only did we publish a book of Farley cartoons, we're also featuring the
cartoons on our website:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/farley/farley.htm.
We'll be adding new cartoons to the site regularly.
*******
Weather in Yosemite:
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 85/53; Tuolumne Meadows 68/30;
El Portal no report
Today: Sunny/87
Tonight: Clear/55
Tomorrow: Sunny. Breezy over the ridges/88
Extended Forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly clear. Partly cloudy in the afternoon near the
crest. Locally breezy.
Thursday: Mostly clear and locally breezy.
Friday: Mostly clear
*****
MANAGED WILDLAND FIRES IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK:
Situation Update - Two New Fires (8/12/99) Please Note: These fires are located
in a zone of the park where lightning fires are managed to achieve resource
objectives. Park fire management staff closely monitor the fires at regular
intervals through ground or aerial reconnaissance.
* Lost Bear Fire- YNP-071: Located about 4 miles southeast
of Bridalveil Campground and the Glacier Point Road. At an elevation of approximately
7700 feet, this fire was started by lightning on Sunday 7/11. It is about 1
mile east of the Bridalveil Creek Trail. A monitoring crew visited the fire
on Monday 8/9. The fire is approximately 39 acres and about 15% of the perimeter
is active. The fire is predominately a creeping ground fire in red fir needlecast
and dead and downed wood. There is some occasional torching of trees and some
open flaming where large fuel is burning. A light to moderate smoke column is
visible.
* Chil Fire- YNP-076: Located about six miles northeast of
Wawona near the Buena Vista Crest on a headwater fork of Chilnualna Creek, this
fire was started by lightning on Tuesday 7/13. Ground fire monitors, who visited
the site on 8/6, report the fire is currently about 7 acres and is smoldering
in large downed logs. No smoke was visible during aerial reconnaissance on 8/8.
A low rate of fire spread is anticipated.
* Dark Fire- YNP-077: Located one mile south of the Tioga Road
and about 1 1/2 miles northwest of the Yosemite Creek Campground. At an elevation
of approximately 8200 feet, near the top of an open granite knoll, the fire
was started by lightning on Tuesday 7/13 and discovered Wednesday 7/14 during
aerial patrol. Ground fire monitors last visited the fire on 8/9 and report
it is about 19 acres. The fire is smoldering in ground litter and makes occasional
runs up through brush to the top of the knoll. The light to moderate smoke column
is visible from the Tioga Road, between McSwain and Porcupine summits.
* West Chil Fire- YNP-079: Located at an elevation of approximately
8000 feet, about 2 miles northwest of the Chill Fire, in the Chilnualna Creek
drainage. It is burning within a small drainage in dead and downed fuels. The
fire size is approximately 1/10th of an acre. This fire was started by lightning
on 7/13 and discovered at 1730 on 7/14 by aerial patrol. During aerial reconnaissance
on 8/10, no smoke was visible.
* Lukens Fire- YNP-109: Located at an elevation of approximately
8500 feet, between the Tioga Road and Lukens Lake. The fire is about 50 feet
east of the trail. It was started by lightning on 8/9 and discovered by aerial
recon on 8/10. The fire is 60 feet by 20 feet and is about 50 feet east of the
Lukens Lake Trail. Flamelengths are 2-4 inches. A light smoke column is rising
about 150 feet, according to ground monitors who visited the site on 8/10.
* Wolf Fire- YNP-110: This fire was started by lightning on
8/9 and discovered by aerial recon on 8/10. It is approximately 2 miles north
of White Wolf at the 7500 foot elevation and is smoldering in duff on the upper
third of the slope. It is approximately .1 acre in size.
* Pate Fire- YNP-111: This fire was started by lightning on
8/9 and discovered by aerial recon on 8/10. It is 1/2 mile south of Pate Valley,
smoldering in duff and is about .1 acre in size at the 8000 foot level.
* Eleanor- YNP-113: This fire was started by lightning on 8/9
and discovered during aerial recon on 8/10. It is north of Lake Eleanor at the
6000 foot elevation. It is approximately .1 acre in size.
* Kendrick- YNP-114: This fire was started by lightning on
8/9 and discovered during aerial recon on 8/10. It is surrounded by granite
near Kendrick Creek and is only about .1 acre in size. It has very low potential
for growth.
* Mercur- YNP-115: This fire was started by lightning on 8/9
and discovered during aerial recon on 8/10. It is at approximately the 8000
foot level, 1 mile northwest of Many Island Lakes, on the north side of the
trail. Some brush and one snag are burning. It has low potential for growth,
because it is surrounded by granite on one side.
* LeConte- YNP-117: This fire was started by lightning on 8/9
and discovered during aerial recon on 8/11. It is at approximately the 6000
foot level, burning north of Hetch Hetchy reservoir in manzanita and Ponderosa
Pine litter and grass. Pockets of vegetation are separated by rocks-the area
is steep. It is on the south face of LeConte Point. It is about .1 acre in size
at this time.
* Morrison YNP-120: The fire was started by lightning on 8/9
and discovered during aerial recon on 8/12. It is at approximately the 7800
foot level , about 1/4 mile north of the Pate Fire. It is near the Hardin Lake-Pate
Valley trail. It is approximately .1 acre in size, smoldering under a continuous
canopy of redfir. (Mary Kwart)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
A rockfall occurred between 0715 and 0730 this morning
on the John Muir Trail between the Muir / Mist junction and Clark's Point. There
was one minor injury. The Muir Trail is closed from Clark's Point to the Vernal
Fall footbridge. The Panorama and Mist trails are open. The situation is being
further assessed today.
#####
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park:
August 1 - 7, 1999 / August 2 - 8, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 22/74
Bear damage report in park campgrounds: 14/16
Total bear incidents year to date: 267/823
Total property damage year to date: $114,017/$399,785
Bear Activity Report from the Field:
This week had the highest number of break-ins compared to previous weeks this
summer. There were a total of 48 bear incidents, most occurring in the parking
lots. Five large male bears roaming the valley are responsible for most of the
bear damage. These bears have been seen in all campgrounds and parking lots
in the valley and are obtaining substantial amounts of human food. All five
bears are tagged and one bear wears a radio collar.
#####
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
Check out the Yosemite Association's website for a number of recent newsclips
on the park.
A few headlines:
####
http://www.yosemite.org/diary/yosdiary99.html
New diary entries by Susan Seiling can be found in the Yosemite diary.
Scroll through the diary for recently added entries, including:
####
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 82/54; Tuolumne Meadows 54/30
0.26" rain; El Portal no report
Today: Mostly sunny/79
Tonight: Clear/53
Tomorrow: Sunny and warmer/84
Extended Forecast: Friday through Sunday...Mostly clear with temperatures
below normal. Locally breezy over the ridges and through the passes.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Memorial Fund Established to Honor the Life of Slain Yosemite
National Park Naturalist
YOSEMITE, Calif. (July 30, 1999)-Yosemite National Institutes (YNI) today announced
the establishment of a fund in memory of Joie Ruth Armstrong.
The Joie Armstrong Memorial Fund will be used for teaching children about special
places like Yosemite and the Marin Headlands so that students and teachers will
have the opportunity to participate in the programs that Joie loved to teach
and in the places Joie loved to live and learn.
As Joie once said, "My passion lies within teaching children about their
environment and I have dedicated all of my efforts toward it." That passion
for teaching and her creative spirit were an inspiration to us all and made
Joie an integral part of our talented teaching staff for over two years, at
both the Headlands Institute and the Yosemite Institute", said Mike Lee,
Executive Director of Yosemite Institute.
Joie Armstrong was slain on July 21st at Yosemite National Park.
John Carlstroem, Executive Director of Headlands Institute added, "Joie
was a bright light to all who knew her and will be dearly missed as a member
of our community. She was an amazing person who touched so many lives with her
glowing smile and her light heart. We will remember her so full of laughter
and love, and as a committed and gifted teacher. We will remember her as a young
woman who had a tremendous enthusiasm for life and a deep desire to give of
herself for the betterment of the world around her." As Joie's mother,
Leslie Armstrong expressed, "She became all that she could be and she lived
life to the fullest."
"We are all filled with sadness at Joie's loss. As a way to heal the feelings
from this horrible act, we honor Joie with this memorial fund so that her spirit
and work may live on," said Linda Brownstein, Chair of the Yosemite National
Institutes Board of Trustees. "Just as Joie inspired people by giving so
much of herself for the betterment of the world, we hope this fund will inspire
people to give so that students will continue to learn about the environment
and themselves."
To make a tax-deductible contribution, please make your check payable to the
"Yosemite National Institutes / Joie Armstrong Memorial Fund." Funds
will be used for programs at all three campuses. Contributions can be sent to
Yosemite National Institutes, G.G.N.R.A., Building 1055, Sausalito, CA 94965.
You may also refer to our web page, www.yni.org/armstrong.
Founded in 1971, Yosemite National Institutes is a private, non-profit, educational
organization whose mission is to inspire a personal connection to the natural
world and responsible actions to sustain it. Long-recognized as a leader in
environmental education, YNI operates three campuses in cooperation with the
National Park Service and serves over 34,000 youth and adults annually. The
campuses are located in Yosemite National Park, in the Marin Headlands / Golden
Gate National Recreation Area in California and in Olympic National Park in
Washington state.
For more information, contact Tanya Eckert, Yosemite National Institutes at
(415) 332-5776.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Thanks to everyone who sent me their thoughts on YAs website.
It's so great to hear from all of you! Below, you'll find the most recent bear
reports, as well as recent weather at the bottom of the email:
A limited number of bear-proof canisters are now available for rent through
the Yosemite Association at the Valley Wilderness Center, Tuolumne Meadows Visitor
Center (temporary rental location), and Big Oak Flat Information Station. Cost
is $3 per trip. Canisters will soon be available for rent at the Tuolumne Meadows
Wilderness Permit Kiosk (to replace Tuolumne Visitor Center) and the Wawona
Store.
This is in addition to the existing YA rental location at the Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Station and YCS rental locations at the Curry Village Mountain Shop, Village
Sport Shop, Tuolumne Store, Tuolumne Sport Shop, Wawona Store, and Crane Flat
Store. (Christine Cowles)
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park: July 25 - 31, 1999 July 26 -
Aug 1, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 13
54
Bear damage report in park campgrounds: 11
16
Total bear incidents year to date: 219
731
Total property damage year to date: $97,072
$361,565
Bear Activity Report from the Field, July 25 - 31, 1999:
Bear #1278 (Yellow 28) was darted near Upper Pines Campground on July 26. This
bear successfully broke into a new style bear box in the campground the previous
week. The bear was released near the South Entrance.
Bear #2255 was caught in a trap in Yellow Pines on July 31. This bear was seen
roaming the campground during the night on several occasions. The bear was tagged
Orange 13 and released in the valley near the woodpile.
Several untagged bears were spotted in the valley this last week. A sow with
two cubs was seen foraging for natural foods in the west end of the Valley;
a small bear has been spotted on a regular basis in the early morning near Yellow
Pines and a large bear was seen eating trash near the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Bear #2364 (Blue 29), darted and released near Lake Eleanor last week, has not
returned to the valley.
Bear #2297 (Blue 10) has been spotted around Curry Village on several occasions
this week. This bear was responsible for breaking into several vehicles in the
Valley in 1997 but had not been seen since then until last week.
The Wildlife Management Crew hiked into Vogelsang High Sierra Camp this week
and installed four new style bear boxes at the Backpackers Camp. Four bear cables
(three at Vogelsang Backpackers Camp and one at Booth Lake) were taken down
and packed out. Bear activity was also monitored during the work trip and a
sow with three cubs was seen in the area. The sow obtained human food from a
group of backpackers that chose to hang their food instead of using the new
bear boxes. (Wildlife Management)
The YCS Raft Rental operation had closed for the season.
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 89/55; Tuolumne Meadows no report;
El Portal no report
Today: Sunny except for a few afternoon clouds near the crest/86
Tonight: Clear/53
Tomorrow: Sunny and cooler. Breezy over the ridges/81
Extended Forecast: Friday through Sunday: Some afternoon clouds
over the higher terrain...otherwise fair. Breezy to locally windy over the ridges
and through the passes.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The following excerpts are from the National Park Service
Daily Report. Lots of news in Yosemite...read on!
***
Porcupine Flat Campground is open for the season.
***
Scoping Period Extended On The Draft Merced Wild & Scenic River
Management Plan
Yosemite National Park will extend the scoping period on the Draft Merced Wild
& Scenic River Management Plan until July 30, 1999. "This draft plan
is of vital importance to the future of the Merced River and we want to be sure
the public has an adequate opportunity to bring forth issues that have not yet
been identified," said Park Superintendent Stan Albright.
In 1987, Congress designated 122 miles of the Merced River as a Wild and Scenic River to be administered in separate segments by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Yosemite National Park administers 81 miles of the Merced River, beginning at 10,000 feet in the High Sierra and dropping to 2,000 feet near El Portal.
Each section of a Wild and Scenic River must be classified
as wild, scenic, or recreational to establish appropriate levels of protection.
This classification process has been completed and the information will be incorporated
into the planning process after the scoping period has determined the full range
of issues. Issues that have already been identified include natural and cultural
resource protection, development of lands and facilities, user capacities (i.e.,
recreation types and levels), and scenic values.
Scoping comments may be sent to: Superintendent, Attn: Merced River Plan, PO
Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 or email your comments to:
YOSE_Merced_River@nps.gov.
All comments must be postmarked or transmitted via electronic mail no later
than July 30. Upon release, the Draft Merced Wild and Scenic River Management
Plan will be available for public review.
***
Hiker Dies In Yosemite National Park After Being Swept Over Nevada Fall
Siddiq Parekh, of Diamond Bar, California, died on Saturday when he was accidentally
swept over Nevada Fall on the John Muir Trail. Parekh, 31, was hiking with three
friends on a two-day trip to climb Half Dome. He stopped near the Nevada Fall
Footbridge to soak his feet in the Merced River and slipped on algae-covered
rocks into the swift current and was washed over the 594-feet waterfall. Parekh
was an experienced Yosemite hiker and had made several trips to the park. Parekh's
fall was witnessed by one of his friends who called rangers on a cell phone.
Rangers using a helicopter were able to recover Parekh's body a few hours later.
Signs at the bridge use strong language and international
symbols to warn hikers of the dangers of entering the water in that area. This
marks the fourth death at Nevada Fall in the last five years.
***
Bear Incidents In Yosemite National Park:
July 4 - 10, 1999
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
8
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
6
Total bear incidents year to date:
132
Total property damage year to date:
$65,615
July 5 - 11, 1998
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots:
54
Bear damage report in park campgrounds:
12
Total bear incidents year to date:
526
Total property damage year to date:
$249,935
Activity Update: July 4 - 10, 1999
Bear break-ins have been on the rise in the Valley. This week, fifteen vehicles
were damaged by bears - in both parking lots and campgrounds. The majority of
the bear damage in the Valley occurred at Curry Village and most vehicles contained
food. Bear #2364 is responsible for at least six of these break-ins. Tuolumne
Meadows Campground opened last week and there have been several bears seen in
the area. Bear #2377 (yellow 9) has two cubs this year and bear #2381 (yellow
8) was seen with three cubs. These bears have been seen in the Tuolumne Meadows
Campground on a nightly basis.
Several bears were active in Little Yosemite Valley this week. Sow #3820 and
her cubs are still obtaining human food from the LYV campground and from careless
backpackers. On July 4, a bear caused minimal damage to the Little Yosemite
Valley Ranger Station. The bear bit into several items such as water bottles
and a bleach container. The LYV rangers have done a great job keeping the ranger
station clean as the bear was not able to obtain any human food.
***
The Weather--July 19,1999
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 84/52; Tuolumne Meadows 66/32,
El Portal 95/64
Today: Sunny and slightly cooler/83
Tonight: Clear/47
Friday: Sunny and slightly cooler/81
Extended Forecast: Wednesday through Friday: Clear nights and sunny
days.
Locally breezy over ridges and through passes.
***
Bear boxes have been flown to the following High Sierra Camps:
Location and number of boxes:
Vogelsang - 4,
Glen Aulin - 2,
Sunrise - 2,
May Lake - 2
The bear boxes at Glen Aulin are near the pit toilets and
have already been installed. The bear boxes at May Lake are set to be installed
at the end of this week, and the boxes at Vogelsang and Sunrise will be installed
as soon as we can make it to those locations. Also, all cables and poles for
hanging food at the High Sierra Camps will be removed by the end of the summer.
Below is a list of trailheads that have received or are scheduled to receive
bear boxes. The number of bear boxes at a few sites will differ from the number
listed below due to small changes during installation.
Location and number of boxes:
Valley Wilderness Lot - 20,
Glacier Point - 6,
Mono Meadows - 5,
Ostrander - 5,
Chilnualna Falls - 5,
Hetch Hetchy - 15,
Yosemite Creek -10,
Ten Lakes - 5,
Porcupine - 8,
May Lake -10,
Sunrise -10,
Murphy Creek - 5,
Cathedral Lakes -10,
Soda Springs Rd. - 16,
Tuolumne YCS Stables - 4,
Elizabeth Lake - 5,
Dog Lake - 15,
Tuolumne Lodge - 10,
Mono-Parker Pass - 6,
Sunnyside CG - each site has 3.
YCC has finished the installation of all bear boxes on
the Tioga Road and in the Valley. The installation of the remaining boxes in
Hetch Hetchy, Wawona area, and Glacier Point Road were originally scheduled
to be completed on July 16th. I believe they are a little behind, but will be
done in the next week or so. (Wildlife Management)
***
Managed Wildland Fires in Yosemite National Park: Situation Update 7/15/99
Lost Bear Fire- YNP-071
Located about 4 miles southeast of Bridalveil Campground and the Glacier Point
Road. At an elevation of approximately 7700 feet, this fire was started by lightning
on Sunday 7/11. It is about 1 mile east of the Bridalveil Creek Trail.
A monitoring crew visited the fire on Monday 7/12. The fire is approximately
20 by 50 feet, burning in a downed red fir log. The fire is smoldering at this
time, and a small smoke column is visible. A very slow rate of fire spread is
anticipated. The fire will be monitored at regular intervals either on the ground
or through aerial reconnaissance.
Chill Fire- YNP-076
Located about six miles northeast of Wawona near the Buena Vista Crest on a
headwater fork of Chilnualna Creek, this fire was started by lightning on Tuesday
7/13. The fire is currently at 1/10 acre and is burning in large downed logs,
emitting light smoke. A moderate rate of fire spread is anticipated. The fire
will be monitored at regular intervals through aerial reconnaissance.
Dark Fire- YNP-077
Located one mile south of the Tioga Road, west of the Yosemite Creek Campground.
At an elevation of approximately 8200 feet, near the top of an open granite
knoll, the fire was started by lightning on Tuesday 7/13 and discovered Wednesday
7/14 during aerial patrol. It is about 20x20' in size. Fuels are sparse, and
the area received heavy rain during the thunderstorm. A low survival and spread
rate is predicted. The fire will be monitored at regular intervals either on
the ground or through aerial reconnaissance.
Hoffman Fire- YNP-078
Located at an elevation of approximately 9400 feet, north of the Tioga Road
and on the southwest face of Mount Hoffman. The fire consists of two snags burning
in a rock pile. The fire was started on Tuesday 7/13 by lightning, and discovered
Wednesday 7/14 during aerial patrol. A low survival and spread rate is predicted.
The fire will be monitored at regular intervals either on the ground or through
aerial reconnaissance.
West Chill Fire- YNP-079
Located at an elevation of approximately 8000 feet, about 2 miles northwest
of the Chill Fire, in the Chilnualna Creek drainage. It is burning within a
small drainage in dead and downed fuels. The fire size is approximately 25 feet
by 25 feet. This fire was started by lightning on 7/13 and discovered at 1730
on 7/14 by aerial patrol. The fire will be monitored at regular intervals either
on the ground or through aerial reconnaissance.
Each of the above fires is located in a zone of the park where lightning fires
are managed to achieve resource objectives. The fires will be closely monitored
at regular intervals. In addition to these managed fires, three lightning fires
close to developed areas are being suppressed. These fires are Dome East YNP-075,
Aspen YNP-073, and the Grouse Fire YNP-074. (Kelly Courtney)
***
Mesa Verde NP (CO) - California Condors
On the morning of June 30th, two California Condors were seen flying over the escarpment around the fire lookout station at Park Point - the first recorded appearance of this endangered species at the park. They did not return the next day. Fire lookout Bob Erner shared the rare event with park visitors for an hour. "It was the most awesome wildlife viewing experience I have ever witnessed," said Erner. "They came so close over us that we could see details of their feathers, numbered wing tags, and one we watched casually scratching itself as they circled." The condors received quite a bit of attention from the park's resident birds as well. Many birds, including several turkey vultures, flew out to investigate the giant newcomers, only to be dwarfed by the condors' nine-foot wingspans. Mesa Verde's natural resource management staff made inquiries into the identity of the two condors. According to the Peregrine Fund, they were one-year-old birds released in wild country of northern Arizona last fall after being raised in captivity.
The program's goal is to establish a second breeding population
in Arizona as a safeguard against the loss of the only other remaining population
in southern California. The Peregrine Fund is a nonprofit conservation organization
dedicated to raising rare birds of prey and releasing them into the wild to
help recover endangered populations. They monitor the twenty condors currently
released in Arizona on a daily basis, using a miniature radio transmitter attached
to a tiny harness fitted to each condor. Since their releases, these two young
condors have ranged as far north as Flaming Gorge near the Wyoming/Utah border,
as far south as Flagstaff, and now to at least the North Rim of Mesa Verde National
Park. It is quite common for immature condors to go on long journeys to expand
their knowledge of their world and search for potential feeding grounds and
even future breeding grounds. In all likelihood, they will return to their current
home range in Arizona within a few days.
(from Morning Report, 07.08.99)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Yosemite rockslide leaves one dead, three injured
By Matthew G. Kreamer
The Fresno Bee
(Published June 14, 1999)
A climber was killed and three others were injured Sunday evening in a rockslide
near a popular visitors area at Yosemite National Park.
Rocks broke loose from the lower western slope of the Glacier Point apron about
7:35 p.m. and rumbled toward Curry Village, which also is a housing area for
park concession employees, spokesman Scott Gediman said.
Much of the village was untouched by the slide, and no buildings were damaged,
Gediman said. The rock fell on the back side of the village, he said.
The man killed and those injured were climbing together when the slide started,
Gediman said. The intermediate-level route the climbers chose only takes about
10 minutes to complete.
"It was not anything they did," Gediman said. "It was just time
for that piece of rock to go."
The identity of the person killed was not immediately known. The body remains
underneath the rubble. Crews from the National Park Service will search today.
The injured were treated for bruises and other minor injuries.
More than 1,300 guests were temporarily evacuated from nearly 300 cabins at
Curry Village, one of Yosemite's two major villages, and more than 80 employees
affected by the slide had to find other housing. Park officials cleared tourists
to return to their housing by 11 p.m.
Ellis Largent, who came from Missouri to work in the park, finished work and
went to eat when he heard a low rumble.
"It was deep at first and got loud, shaky. I looked outside and everyone
was running, tripping over each other. And then I looked back and everyone was
running out of the kitchen."
Largent said the dust billowed a few minutes after the rocks stopped.
"I couldn't breathe or see anything. I had my shirt over my face. But I
still couldn't see where I was going."
Jon Morse, 30, of Fresno was on top of Glacier Point with about 30 tourists
when the slide started. "We heard this sound," he told The Bee after
returning to Fresno. "It started quiet and got louder and louder. It sounded
like a jet engine. I looked down and saw a big puff of dust."
Morse said immediately after the slide he could see Curry Village, but it soon
disappeared as the dust cloud spread.
Michael Etchie, 42, of Mesa, Ariz., was on his way to Sentinel Bridge and had
passed Yosemite Falls Sunday evening when he heard a loud noise.
"I heard what I thought was a jet, but it was too loud and kept going and
going and getting louder," Etchie told The Bee.
He then followed emergency vehicles to Curry Village, but the entrance to the
village was blocked, Etchie said from a cellular phone.
He also saw a big scar near Glacier Point, about three-quarters of the way up.
"There was a trail of white dust that followed all the way down to the
bottom of the mountain," Etchie said. "When we got there, the dust
was pretty thick. You could feel it in your throat, and you could taste it."
He said he saw two people being taken away in ambulances.
"We also saw a helicopter flying near the top of the scar," he said.
Jerry Bickford, who runs the front desk at the Curry Village Lodge, said he
ran outside when he heard the slide about 300 yards away. He said all he could
see was a giant cloud of dust.
"The first thing that goes through your mind is that it's thunder, but
then the sky is blue so you know it's not that," he said. "The dust
is still out there and now it's dark. Everything's covered in a film of white
granite dust."
Residents of the 628-unit lodge - rooms and cabins - were evacuated and allowed
to return two hours later.
The last rockslide fatality in Yosemite was July 10, 1996, when a man died after
a chain reaction began 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley near Glacier Point.
A giant slab of granite - estimated at 300 to 400 feet wide - broke loose and
roared downward, pushing hurricane-force winds ahead of it.
In November 1980, a rockslide killed three people near Yosemite Falls.
Though no one was hurt in a rockslide in November of last year, part of the
Curry Village area was closed for 24 hours, and about 500 people were evacuated,
after large slabs of rock broke away and fell from Glacier Point.
Visitors and employees were allowed to return to most of the Curry Village area
the next day, but a small employee housing area was closed longer so experts
could evaluate safety. The Modesto Bee and Associated Press contributed to this
report.
- - -
>From June 14, 1999 NPS daily report:
VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN YOSEMITE ROCKSLIDE
The victim who died in the Yosemite rockslide last evening has been identified
as Peter J. Terbush, 22, of Gunnison, Colorado. Turbush was a student at Western
State College and was in the park climbing with two friends. The three were
experienced rock climbers and taught rock climbing courses at the college.
Guests have returned to Curry Village in Yosemite Valley. More than 1300 guests and employees were evacuated as a safety precaution when rocks fell at 7:35 p.m. from an area below Glacier Point in the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley. Guests were allowed back to their accommodations around 10:30 p.m. last night.
National Park Service geologists are assessing the slide area and release point by helicopter this morning. Once further slide potential and the safety of the area has been established, search teams will enter the area to survey damage. So far, no property or structural damage has been reported.
Rockfalls are common in the park and are a part of the natural geologic processes at work in Yosemite. The rocks that make up present-day Yosemite formed deep within the earth and were later uplifted and exposed to the surface. Exfoliation (expansion of rock due to the lower pressure at the earth's surface as opposed to the depths at which the granite formed), freeze-thaw cycles, the effects of growing tree roots and ongoing tectonic stresses are primarily responsible for rock spauling. Injuries and damage from rockfalls are rare.
All park roads, campgrounds, and visitor facilities are
open to day-use and overnight visitors. (PIO)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Bear incidents in Yosemite National Park for May 30 - June
5, 1999:
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 1.
Bear damage reports in park campgrounds: 0.
Total bear incidents in 1999:
96.
Total property damage caused by bears in 1999: $53,425. (PIO)
- - -
Bear activity update for May 30 - June 5, 1999:
- Bear #2295 continues to wander the Yosemite Valley campgrounds on a nightly
basis and has been spotted as early as 9 p.m. and as late as 4:30 a.m. As the
campgrounds have been relatively clean this week, the bear has obtained human
food on only a few occasions.
- Bear #2052, a sow, and her two cubs have been active throughout the Yosemite
Valley with sightings in Sentinel Beach Picnic Area and Lower Pines Campground.
There have been no reports of the trio obtaining human food.
- Two untagged bears were processed this week. Bear #3884 was free-ranged just
east of the Wilderness Parking Area while is sat eating human food that it had
obtained in Upper Pines Campground. The bear is tagged Blue 23 and was fitted
with a radio collar. Unfortunately, the bear managed to slip the collar off
while still in the trap.
Bear #3878 was trapped in the Lower Pines Campground and is now tagged White
47. Both of these had been spotted wandering the campgrounds on several occasions
before being trapped. (Wildlife Management Office)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Yippee! Tioga pass opens on Friday! This is from today's
daily report:
Beginning at noon on Friday, May 28, the Tioga Pass Road, that portion of Highway
120 where it crosses the Sierra Nevada through Yosemite National Park, will
open for the season. The road opening was assisted by Mono County who provided
equipment and staff for snow removal. Visitor services will not be available.
No drinking water, gasoline or food service will be available until water and
wastewater systems can be put in service. Some portable toilets will be temporarily
available along the route. Restrooms, drinking water, and gasoline are available
on the park's west side at Crane Flat and outside the park at the Tioga Pass
Resort and in the Lee Vining area. Services will be expanded as conditions permit.
No camping or overnight accommodations will be available between Crane Flat and the Tioga Pass Entrance on the park's eastern boundary. There are no projected opening dates for the campgrounds at Crane Flat, Tuolumne Meadows, White Wolf, Porcupine Creek, Tamarack Flat or Yosemite Creek. No first-come, first-served auto campsites are expected to be available in the park until further notice.
There are no projected opening dates for the Tuolumne Meadows
Lodge, Store and Service Station or the White Wolf Lodge. The Glacier Point
Road will also open Friday, May 28, at noon. Glacier Point is located 30 miles
from Yosemite Valley off The Wawona Road, the portion of Highway 41 inside the
park. There is no projected opening date for the Bridalveil Creek campground.
- - -
Bear incidents in Yosemite National Park May 16-22, 1999.
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 0
Bear damage reports in park campgrounds:
2
Total bear incidents in 1999:
92
Total property damage caused by bears in 1999:
$52,775
- - -
The El Portal Road Area Recreational Closure #4 Effective May 21, 1999
Construction activities on the El Portal Road, Highway 140 within Yosemite National
Park, has resulted in closing areas adjacent to the Merced River from the park
boundary in El Portal to the intersection of the Big Oak Flat Road (the Highway
120/140 intersection). This closure is in effect to protect the public from
the hazards associated with construction and to facilitate the road project.
The closed area extends from 100 yards north of the center line of the El Portal
Road, across the roadway and down to the low water mark on the north side of
the Merced River on the south side of the El Portal Road. The area closed also
includes areas within 100 yards of all construction equipment, staging areas,
and storage yards.
Prohibited activities include parking, stopping, discharging of passengers,
pedestrian and bicycle use of the roadway and recreational access/use on the
El Portal Road and adjacent areas. Vehicles parked within the closed area are
subject to towing. Access for fishing, swimming, hiking, walking, and climbing
is prohibited
Climbing areas that are closed include USGS Wall, Roadside Attraction, Knobby
Wall, Pat and Jacks Area, Cascades Left, Generator Area Boulders, and New Diversions.
Climbing and other recreation areas outside of the closure area may be accessed
from the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) and the Wawona Road (Highway 41).
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
A few notes on Yosemite:
81-YEAR-OLD BECOMES OLDEST PERSON TO CLIMB EL CAPITAN
Overcoming aching joints and chilly weather, an 81-year-old retiree became the
oldest climber -- for the second time -- to scale Yosemite National Park's famed
El Capitan rockface.
View the entire article, and more news stories at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
FOUR MILE TRAIL IS OPEN!!!
This month's diary entry "A four-mile tradition" recounts my hike
up the trail on May 23.
View the entry at:
http://www.yosemite.org/diary/yosdiary99.html
* SNOW CREEK SWITCHBACKS
There are no current closures on the trail. Hikers will encounter snow covering
the trail shortly beyond the top of the switchbacks.
OTHER TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Patchy snow still exists as low as 6000', but generally hikers will find only
patchy snow up to the 7000 foot level. Spring run-off can make any unbridged
stream crossing hazardous. Snow covering trails at higher elevations can make
travel difficult to hazardous. Hikers report the trail is completely free of
snow to the top of Chilnualna Falls, but snowdrifts begin almost immediately
on the trail towards Turner Meadows. The crossing of Chilnualna Creek above
the falls is unbridged and will be hazardous with high spring runoff. Water
is now running over the Wapama Falls bridges. Hikers in this area should use
their own judgement regarding their ability to cross this area and exercise
extreme caution when doing so. The crossings of Wildcat and Tamarack Creeks
on the Old Big Oak Flat Trail can also be difficult with high water. The Pohono
Trail from Valley View (long tunnel on Hwy 41) is hikable without more than
patchy snow for approximately 2.5 miles one way. Bridalveil Creek is an unbridged
crossing and may be impassable due to high water.
The YCS Kennel opened for the season Saturday, May 22.
The Wawona Hotel now offers Sunday Brunch
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The cables are up on the Half Dome trail.
Bear Activity for the week of May 9-15, 1999:
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 6
Bear damage reports in park campgrounds:
3
Total bear incidents in 1999:
90
Total property damage caused by bears in 1999: $52,455
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 74/46; Tuolumne Meadows 55/27, 13"
snowpack
Today: Partly sunny, breezy and cool/69
Tonight: Partly cloudy, continued breezy in the evening/38
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy and cool/68
Extended Forecast: Saturday through Monday: Partly cloudy.
A chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Locally breezy.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Here are a few bits of news for all of you Yosemite lovers.
Also check out the Yosemite Association website at www.yosemite.org/newsroom
for recent news stories--including the story about an 81-year-old man who is
climbing El Capitan this week.
***
YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL OPENS
The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail will open today, May 18th, at noon. It was closed
due to a rockfall, and rockfall danger.
***
TIOGA ROAD IS PLOWED, BUT NOT YET OPEN
On May 15, after 30 days of work, the Tioga Road crew met with the Mono County
crew in Tuolumne Meadows. There is still quite a bit of work to do. The last
3 miles are plowed on only one lane, and 5 of the 6 posted avalanche zones are
still active. All of the avalanche zones are plowed on one lane. This is the
normal procedure going through avalanche zones. When the zones are no longer
a threat, the second lane will be opened. The crew will continue to work on
the road to make it a full two lanes wide. The official road opening date has
not yet been determined.
***
GLACIER POINT ROAD PLOWED, BUT NOT YET OPEN
Glacier Point Road: The Wawona crew has made it to Glacier Point. The road is
still closed to all traffic due to snow removal operations. There is still thick
layer of ice on the road. Some areas are one lane. We need to take care of hazard
trees, open pull outs, do road repair, and open parking lots. When this has
been accomplished, the road will open to NPS and YCS administrative traffic.
***
HALF DOME CABLES SCHEDULED TO GO UP
Weather and conditions permitting, the cables will be up and open for public
use by May 28th.
***
UC MERCED JOINS FORCES WITH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE:
Memorandum of Understanding Signing Paves the Way to Collaborative Education
and Research
Officials for the University of California, Merced, and Yosemite, Sequoia and
Kings Canyon National Parks today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
that creates a partnership for research and education that will provide a foundation
for programs that will benefit people well into the 21st century.
Approximately 100 people representing the National Park Service, the University
Of California, and state and federal legislators gathered atop one of the scenic
vista points at the UC Merced campus site to sign the agreement.
"Partnerships with federal and state agencies responsible for Sierra lands
will greatly strengthen this education and research focus by allying university
scientists with resource managers and agency research scientists," said
John Reynolds, Pacific West Regional Director for the National Park Service.
"The goal of this partnership is to do training and research that are beneficial
to all -- the people of Central California, the educational community and the
Park Service."
"This collaboration is unique in that it brings in the national parks while
UC's 10th campus is still in the planning stages," said Carol Tomlinson-Keasey,
Senior Associate to the President for UC Merced. "This is a perfect fit,
since the university's mission is education and research, with strong interest
in conservation, and the Park Service is interested in conservation, with a
strong interest in education and research."
The partnership includes several educational projects such as the Sierra Nevada
Research Institute, a mobile interpretation center, public transportation planning,
and the Sierra Nevada Network for Education and Research.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Freezing and thawing has loosened the granite in some areas
of Yosemite...check out these excerpts from the NPS daily report. If you're
heading up to Yosemite in the next 2-3 weeks, AVOID Hwy 140. A massive rockslide
(west of Savage's Trading Post) has closed the road for at least two weeks.
If you usually take Hwy 140 into the park, simply follow this detour: Take HWY
140 to Mariposa. In Mariposa, take HWY 49 east to Oakhurst. In Oakhurst, take
HWY 41 north into Yosemite.
More details on the HWY 140 slide:
During scaling operations on Monday, April 26th, several cracks were discovered
on a rockslope above a section of Highway 140 one mile west of Savage's Trading
Post. All work was stopped and crews immediately began 24-hour monitoring of
the site. At 2:55am on the 27th, a major slide occurred at this location, depositing
a mass of debris on the road 150 feet long by 20 feet high, blocking both lanes.
There were no reports of injuries. A team of geologists have reviewed the site
and recommended that the site be monitored from 5-6 days to evaluate stability.
Once the site is determined to be safe, cleanup operations will begin and the
site will be reassessed. The slide appears to be the result of cycles of freezing
and thawing that cracked and enlarged fractures in the rock. (Caltrans)
Trail information:
* YOSEMITE FALLS The trail is closed above the middle gate
(approximately 2 miles up, at the corner where you get a good view of the upper
fall) until further notice. There may still be a perched rock posing a hazard,
and trail work will be necessary to repair damage from the last slide. Although
a reassessment will be made in two weeks, it is possible the trail may remain
closed until approximately May 24.
* FOUR MILE TRAIL Trail crews will begin work on the Four Mile
later this week or early next week. Due to the closure on the Yosemite Falls
Trail, crews will shovel the trail out across the avalanche gully to open it
as soon as possible. It is likely this trail will open to the public by May
7.
* NEVADA FALL/HALF DOME CABLES The Ice Cut on the upper portion
of the John Muir Trail near the top of Nevada Fall is still very hazardous.
It is hoped this portion of the trail will open in approximately 2 weeks, but
this is weather dependent. The Half Dome Cables will be up for use by May 28th,
perhaps earlier depending on weather.
* SNOW CREEK SWITCHBACKS Trail crews should be finished with
maintenance work on this trail by next week. There are no current closures on
the trail. Hikers will encounter snow covering the trail shortly beyond the
top of the switchbacks.
* OTHER TRAIL CONDITIONS: Hikers report the trail is completely
free of snow to the top of Chilnualna Falls, but snow drifts begin almost immediately
on the trail towards Turner Meadows. The crossing of Chilnualna Creek above
the falls is unbridged and will be hazardous with high spring runoff.
Reports from the trail crew working in the Hetchy area indicate the water is
not coming over the Falls Creek bridge yet, but hikers should be aware this
can be a problem if the water comes up rapidly. The crossings of Wildcat and
Tamarack Creeks on the Old Big Oak Flat Trail can also be difficult with high
water. The Pohono Trail from Valley View (long tunnel on Hwy 41) is hikable
without more than patchy snow for approximately 2.5 miles one way.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Excerpts from the April 27, 1999 daily report:
There was a rock slide Monday night at 2:30am that closed Highway 140 one mile
west of savage's Trading Post. Caltrans geologists are currently assessing the
slide and slope stability. The road will remain closed until further notice.
Further information will be posted in the Daily as it becomes available.
(PIO)
- - -
The Upper Falls Trail was assessed by Jim Snyder, Tim Ludington, and Mark Fincher.
They have determined that there is still serious rock fall danger and that the
trail should remain closed for another two weeks. The trail crew will reassess
the danger at that time.
- - -
People using Hwy 41 to Yosemite (from Fresno) may experience traffic delays
of up to 2 hours beginning Friday evening around 7pm (4/30) and lasting until
sometime Sunday night (5/2). The area effected is east of Fresno where the new
highway is being built, near the bridge where the Freeway goes to two lanes.
CAL-TRANS suggest you use an alternate route to and from Fresno.
Suggested detours:
Coming from Southern California: Take 99 all the way through Fresno to State
Route 145 (Madera). Take State Route 145 west to HWY 41.
>From Hwy 41 take the State Rte 145 West to Madera and catch Hwy 99 S. This
cutoff is north of the construction (depending on traffic backup). They expect
Saturday to have the longest delays. The new lanes are scheduled to open for
commute traffic on monday. For up to date information call 1-800-427-ROAD.
- - -
Snow plowing reports:
Tioga Road Update as of April 26, 1999:
Starting Location: 14.0;
White Wolf Ending Location: 14.2; Total Distance: .2;
Snow Depth: 7 Feet;
Total Distance In: 14.2.
Glacier Point Road:
Starting Location: 1.5;
Ending Location: 2.0;
Total Distance: .5;
Snow Depth: 5 Feet;
Total Distance In: 2 Miles.
(Mari Christiansen)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The dogwoods are blooming! They are starting to pop out
all over the valley, so if you make it up in the next week or two, you're in
for a treat!
Snow plowing report:
Tioga Road Progress as of 04.21.99
Starting Location: 9.8.
Ending Location: 10.8.
Total Distance: 1.0 miles.
Average Snow Depth: 6 feet.
Total Miles In: 10.2 miles.
Glacier Point Road Progress as of 04.21.99
Starting Location: 1.0.
Ending Location: 1.25.
Total Distance: .25. Average
Snow Depth: 4.5 feet.
Total Miles In: 1.25 miles.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
I thought you'd like to know current hiking and snow conditions
in Yosemite. This is an excerpt from the April 21,1999 National Park Service
Daily Report.
At the moment, warm weather is changing trail conditions rapidly and the snow
level is currently about 6000' depending on exposure. Spring is usually a mix
of weather conditions, however, so this update should be used only as a general
description of how conditions may be at this time. The rate of melt will probably
slow with more seasonable cool weather and recent snow storms dropped snow as
low as 1000' only 2 weeks ago. Users should watch weather conditions, be prepared,
and use good wilderness sense when planning trips or entering the backcountry.
HIKING CONDITIONS
The Vernal Fall Mist trail is now open, and wet. The Nevada Fall portion of
the Mist Trail is basically snow free to the top. The upper portion of the Muir
Trail between Clark's Point and the top of Nevada Fall is still closed due to
hazardous conditions at the Ice Cut. This portion of the trail will probably
stay closed for a few more weeks depending on weather. The same situation exists
on the Four Mile Trail, which is still under winter closure. The Half Dome cables
generally are put up mid-May. A date will be set soon depending on spring weather.
Approximately 90% snow cover exists beyond the Yosemite Creek bridge (toward
Yosemite Point) at the top of the Yosemite Falls Trail. There is still some
patchy snow at the top of the Falls, but it is basically clear for hikers. This
is also the case with the Snow Creek trail, where users will find the trail
clear to the top of the switchbacks, but snow covered beyond.
The Pohono Trail from Valley View is a nice short hike, with snow cover starting
about 1.3 miles up the trail. Chilnualna Falls out of Wawona will be mostly
snow free for the first 4-5 miles, and hiking in the Hetchy area to Rancheria
or Poopenaut should be snow free. We haven't heard of high water issues on Falls
Creek yet, but hikers should use good judgment if water is running over that
bridge.
Rising water with snow melt will make unbridged creeks difficult to cross, which
is a concern on trails such as the Old Big Oak Flat Road trail from Foresta
turnoff. Those traveling above snow line should be aware of posthole hazards,
collapsing snow bridges over water, and the lack of marked trails.
SKI/SNOWSHOE CONDITIONS
There are still excellent spring ski conditions in the High Country, and those
traveling above about 6-6500' will need skis or snowshoes. Slab avalanche hazards
should be added to the "Beware of ...." list, and an update of current
conditions is available through the Tuolumne Winter Ranger Staff at 372-0450.
Badger Pass and Ostrander Ski Hut are closed for the season. Conditions are
pretty mixed in the Big Tree Groves for good travel, with too much snow to walk
and too many open spots to ski comfortably. The road to Crane Flat Lookout has
been plowed, and makes for a good hike now, rather than a ski. (Laurel Boyers)
The Weather
Last 24 hours: Yosemite Valley 70/48; Tuolumne Meadows 51/20 with 54" snowpack.
Today: Mostly sunny. Northwest winds 15-30 mph with locally higher gusts/67
Tonight: Mostly clear and locally windy/40
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny and continued windy/64
Extended Forecast: Friday - Sunday: Fair with p.m. clouds. Windy Friday. Breezy
and warmer Saturday and Sunday.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
The Mariposa Grove Road opened for the season on Saturday,
April 3.
There is a 10 ton weight restriction for all buses and trucks. This will be
lifted, when the road base has dried adequately. The road can close temporarily
because of snow storms. (Mike Brindeiro)
Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open for the season. Wilderness Permits
will also be available. (Paul Dettman III)
The Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass (HWY 120 east to Lee Vining) are still
closed for the winter, and usually open in late May or early June.
It may be snowing in Yosemite, but the bears aren't hibernating.
Bear Incidents in Yosemite for March 1 - 31, 1999:
Vehicles broken into by bears in parking lots: 13
Bear damage reports in park campgrounds:
14
Total bear incidents in 1999: 33
Total property damage caused by bears in 1999: $26,205
The Bear Facts and other bear information are available at
www.nps.gov/yose/bears.htm (Christine
Cowles)
- - -
The Badger Pass Road will close for the season on 4-11-99 after close
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Easter weekend brought snow to Yosemite Valley and a wonderful
sunset on Saturday night--fresh snow on the valley floor, bands of clouds hanging
low on the mountains and amazing golden orange sunlight on the top of the cliffs.
The kind of scene photographers live for!
******
Is Yosemite snowier than usual this year? In some places.... The April 1 snow
surveys showed that the amount of snowfall varied throughout the Sierra Nevada
this winter. In Yosemite, the Tuolumne drainage is at 112% of average, and the
Merced drainage is at 92% of average. The April 1 survey is considered to be
the benchmark survey for the year, and is used for water allocations and planning
statewide.
******
Check out the news stories below and more in our Yosemite news section at
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
3/21/99
Backcountry Bacchanal
Deep in Yosemite's Winter Wilderness, Cozy Ostrander Hut Shelters Cross-Country
Skiers.
3/19/99
Yosemite Status With U.N. Stirs Fears.
Callers Worry about United Nations Control of National Parks and Other Sites.
3/09/99
Save the Sierra Bighorn Sheep
*******
>From a recent NPS Daily Report:
Yosemite National Park Receives High Marks For Flood Recovery Efforts
In a report recently released by the United States General Accounting Office
(GAO), Yosemite National Park received high marks for their flood recovery efforts.
In January 1997, Yosemite experienced a major flood which significantly damaged
park roads, campgrounds, facilities, and utility systems. To repair park infrastructure,
Congress authorized a flood recovery supplemental appropriation of $176 million
in June 1997. The GAO report examined flood recovery projects to ensure that
these funds are spent properly and are consistent with park plans. The report
was prompted by the large amount of money allocated by Congress.
In preparing their report, GAO sampled 21 of the major flood recovery projects.
These projects represent approximately $60 million, or one-third of the total
appropriation. GAO concluded that these projects are consistent with current
planning efforts and the associated costs are reasonable. Additionally, the
report concluded that there are no inconsistencies between the project proposals
and actual expenditures.
"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the GAO Report. We take great
effort in completing projects in a timely, professional, and economical manner
consistent with the mission of the National Park Service," stated Yosemite
Superintendent Stan Albright.
Flood recovery projects currently being conducted include the repair and reconstruction
of the El Portal Road, repairs to the Yosemite Creek Lift Station, and extensive
trail repairs throughout the park's backcountry.
(PIO)
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
It snowed again in Yosemite last night. Check out the webcam
for alternating views of clouds (a not-so-scenic grey photo); and wonderfully
snowy Yosemite Valley at:
http://yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm
Want to know just how snowy it is in Yosemite? Check out the snow survey results
for February and March, 1999 at:
http://yosemite.org/visitors/statis.htm
After two months away at training, Tuolumne Meadows Winter Ranger Rich Bearwald
is back with his snow condition reports from Tuolumne. View his most recent
report at:
http://yosemite.org/diary/tuolumne.html
I thought you might be interested in these bear related excerpts from recent
daily reports:
Announcing the Save-A-Bear Hotline! This hotline allows employees, residents,
and visitors to leave a message for the Bear Management Team. To report trash
problems, improper food storage, bear sightings, and other bear-related problems,
call (209)372-0200 (press 7, then 3). Calls can be made anonymously.
(PIO)
The Bear Facts is now available on the park's web site at www.nps.gov/yose/bears.htm. Thanks
to everyone for your wide interest in this bear activity update! Intranet posting
still pending.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Today's another great day to view YA's webcam (what day
isn't?) The latest storm continues to pass through Yosemite, dumping snow throughout
all elevations in the park. View the snowy peaks at:
http://yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm
Want a fashionable way to promote YA? Do you love the watercolor paintings of
Chiura Obata? View and order YA's new seminar t-shirt online at:
http://www.yosemite.org/seminars/tshirt.html
T-shirts are 100% cotton, feature a painting of Yosemite Falls by Obata, and
cost $18 each ($15.30 for YA members). All proceeds benefit the Yosemite Association.
Take your kids dayhiking in Yosemite with YA's family dayhiking seminars. Information
about these fun and active seminars are posted at:
http://www.yosemite.org/seminars/family.html
Don't miss the latest Yosemite news at:
http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips99/clips99.htm
We just added these articles:
1/25/99 Yosemite officials set report timetable.
1/24/99 Yosemite at Edge of Debate
Groups ponder use of herbicide on 2,000 acres near park.
1/23/99 Tour bus overturns in Yosemite National Park.
1/21/99 Winter storm punches Valley, Sierra.
1/15/99 Yosemite Officials Ignite Controlled Burns Four Months Early.
1/15/99 Yosemite Road Work Takes Shape
Park official says crews will go easy on the terrain.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Check out the clearing winter storm happening today (live!)
on Yosemite's webcam at: http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm.
Since the camera went up, today's views are amongst the best.
For an introspective view on Yosemite, take a look at the new diary entry at:
http://www.yosemite.org/diary/yosdiary99.html
Today is an active news day for Yosemite. Please take a moment to read through
these important items from the Fresno Bee, and the NPS daily report (full text
available online at www.yosemite.org, in the "newsroom"
section.
ROCKSLIDE CLOSES HIGHWAY 140
>From the Fresno Bee, January 20, 1999
Mother Nature was being blamed for the rock slide Wednesday afternoon that closed
Highway 140 in Mariposa County, authorities said.
A car-size boulder and several large rocks tumbled down the hillside about 2
p.m. near Savage's Trading Post, a mile south of Briceburg, the CHP said. No
one was injured.
The highway will be closed until at least this afternoon while the California
Department of Transportation figures out a way to clear the roadway, said Caltrans
dispatcher Leah Stokes in Stockton.
NATIONAL PARK RESERVATION SERVICE IS ONLINE!
As of January 15, camping reservations at Yosemite NP are available through
a secure Internet site at http://reservations.nps.gov. The new website
also provides valuable park information, including camping availability, cost,
and directions. Reservations can still be made via telephone or by mail. In
order to insure all park visitors have equal access to the National Park Reservation
Service (NPRS), the hours for making Internet reservations are the same as established
call center hours -- 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EST).
Effective January 1, 1999, reservations for camping at Yosemite can be made
up to five months in advance, in one month blocks on the 15th of the month.
For example:
Camping Arrival Date
First Day to Make Reservations
March 15 - June
14 January 15
*Memorial Day Holiday Weekend
June 15 - July
14 February
15 *July 4 Holiday Weekend
July 15 - August
14 March 15
August 15 - September 14
April 15 *Labor Day Holiday Weekend
September 15 - October 14 May 15
Phone reservations are available at 1-800-436-PARK. International callers may
dial (301)722-1257 to make reservations. The toll free TDD phone number is 1-888-530-9796.
(PIO)
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK EXTENDS SCOPING ON THE DRAFT YOSEMITE VALLEY PLAN
Yosemite National Park will extend the scoping period on the Draft Yosemite
Valley Plan until February 1, 1999. "This draft plan is of vital importance
to the future of Yosemite Valley and we want to be sure the public has an adequate
opportunity to bring forth issues that have not been raised previously",
said park superintendent Stan Albright.
The plan will coordinate planning for the entire Yosemite Valley and integrate
alternatives, elements and environmental analysis from the Draft Yosemite Valley
Housing Plan/EIS, the Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/EIS, the Yosemite
Lodge Development Concept Plan/EA, and the Yosemite Falls Facilities Design
Project. Additionally, the integrated plan will include new information developed
through subsequent environmental studies and modified alternatives or mitigation
strategies developed from public comments. A formal public review period for
the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan is expected to begin in late spring 1999. All
comments received during previous scoping and public review periods will also
be used in developing this plan. A summary of public comments will be included
in the consolidated plan. The plan is anticipated to be finalized in late 1999.
All scoping comments must be postmarked by February 1, 1999 and should be mailed
to Superintendent, Attn: Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577,
Yosemite, CA 95389. Email comments can be sent to:
YOSE_Valley_Plan@nps.gov.
Susan Seiling
Web Services for the Yosemite Association
Archive-Name:
gov/us/fed/nara/fed-register/1998/dec/16/63FR69303A
Posting-number: Volume 63, Issue 241, Page 69303A
[Federal Register: December 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 241)]
[Notices]
[Page 69303-69304]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16de98-82]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Yosemite Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County,
California; Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) and Council on Environmental Quality
regulations (40 CFR 1502.9(c)), and in order to foster
coordinated valley planning and operations, the National Park
Service intends to supplement the 1980 Final General Management
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (1980 GMP/EIS) with a single,
comprehensive Yosemite Valley Plan for Yosemite National Park.
The Yosemite Valley Plan (YVP) will integrate alternatives (or
elements thereof) and environmental analysis formerly part of
four distinct initiatives: (a) the 1992 and 1996 Draft Yosemite
Valley Housing Plan/EIS intended to supplement the 1980 GMP/EIS;
(b) the 1997 Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/EIS
intended to supplement the 1980 GMP/EIS; (c) the Yosemite Lodge
Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment; and (d) a
Yosemite Falls facilities design project. In addition, the YVP
will implement previously approved actions set forth in the 1992
Concessions Management Plan.
Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS)
will prepare a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(SEIS) to update the 1980 GMP/EIS. This SEIS/YVP consolidates
ongoing conservation planning and impact analysis efforts into
one plan for the valley, so as to provide for a holistic,
landscape-view of critical initiatives so vital for preserving
the valley environs for visitor inspiration now and in the
future. The decision to prepare a consolidated SEIS/YVP also
results from proactive public involvement; and in response to
public comment, the SEIS/YVP may include new or modified
alternatives or mitigation strategies.
Background
In July, 1992 a Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan/Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement intended to amend the 1980 GMP/EIS
was issued (57 FR 34146), with the public comment period ending
September 30, 1992. This document examined the effects of a
proposal and four alternatives for housing NPS and concession
employees who work in Yosemite Valley. After reviewing public
comments, the NPS identified two additional alternatives. A
second Draft Housing Plan/SEIS was issued in December 1996 (61 FR
64361) with the public comment period ending March 31, 1997.
Housing alternatives that are still under consideration and
responses to the 1992 and 1996 public comments will be included
in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
The 1997 Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/SEIS examined the effects of alternatives for implementing 1980 GMP goals of reclaiming priceless natural beauty, reducing traffic congestion, allowing natural processes to prevail, reducing visitor crowding, and promoting visitor understanding and enjoyment in Yosemite Valley. It was intended to develop a coherent, comprehensive site plan for all necessary visitor services in Yosemite Valley. It included alternatives for relocating non-essential NPS and concession functions and facilities out of sensitive resource areas and hazardous areas; and for redesigning essential buildings, roads, campgrounds, interpretive centers and concession facilities. It identified alternative site plans for past and current implementation of the 1980 GMP, as well as the 1992 Concession Services Plan, the draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan, and various transportation studies. The Draft Valley Implementation Plan/SEIS was issued in November 1997 (62 FR 60264) with an extended public comment period ending February 23, 1998 (63 FR 3000). Public open houses and workshops were held. Implementation alternatives that are still under consideration and responses to the 1997-98 public comments will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
In April 1997, as part of the park's urgent response to a disastrous flood, the Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment was released for public review, with the public comment period ending May 16, 1997. Public walk-throughs and public information sessions were conducted. The DCP considered alternative site plans for the lodge area lodging, housing, circulation and visitor services. Subsequent to various legal proceedings, an approved Finding of No Significant Impact was formally rescinded on December 3, 1998. Lodge DCP alternatives that are still under consideration and a summary of the public comment will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
After several Yosemite Falls Design Elements, Issues and
Questions workshops were held during 1998, a
[[Page 69304]]
preliminary Draft Program Statement was prepared for internal
review which addressed alternatives for site design at the falls.
Design elements such as falls view area, main entry area, picnic
area, main trail, main bridge, eastern channel trail, parking,
revegetation, and signs were considered. Yosemite Falls site
plans that are still under consideration will be included in the
consolidated SEIS/YVP.
Scoping/Decision Process
The existing four park stewardship initiatives summarized above
yielded very extensive and detailed baselines which will be
corroborated, clarified, or refined as necessary in the
consolidation effort. Moreover, incisive public comment and
agency consultations provided a valuable foundation for preparing
those documents. As noted above, all comments received during
past scoping activities or formal response periods are
safeguarded in detailed administrative records, and will be duly
re-considered in developing the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
Consequently at this time it is necessary to submit only new
issues or concerns not voiced previously. Also, all past
respondents are being incorporated into a single mailing
list--information about this comprehensive conservation planning
and impact analysis process will be timely distributed via
newsletters, mailings, and regional and local news media. To
request being added now to the inclusive mailing list, or to
obtain details about information options, please contact park
staff via telephone at (209) 372-0261. Interested individuals,
organizations, and agencies wishing to provide written comments
on new issues or concerns should respond to: Superintendent,
Attn: SEIS/YVP, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389.
Any new comments must
be postmarked not later than January 15, 1999.
Availability of the Draft SEIS/YVP for review and written
comment will be announced by formal Notice, via local and
regional news media, and direct mailing. At this time the Draft
SEIS/YVP is anticipated to be available for public review during
late spring 1999. Comments on the Draft SEIS/YVP will be fully
considered, and incorporated in a Final SEIS/YVP as appropriate.
At this time it is anticipated that the Final SEIS/YVP would be
completed during fall 1999. Notice of an approved Record of
Decision would be published in the Federal Register not sooner
than thirty (30) days after the Final SEIS/YVP is distributed.
This is expected to occur by the end of 1999. The official
responsible for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific
West Region, National Park Service; the official responsible for
implementation is the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.
Dated: December 9, 1998.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 98-33248 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
Also see the NewsRoom of the Yosemite Association.
This page was lasted updated januari 06, 2000 and is courtesy of The Yosemite Association.
Some links may have changed . Last updated on 06.17.2000. © RTh 2000
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