Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
Yosemite National Park Zone Forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. Windy. Highs 52 to 61 at 5000 feet...44 to 52 at 8000 feet. Gusts up to 45 mph in the afternoon. Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to around 75 mph over higher elevations.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Near the crest, a 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Very windy. Snow level above 8000 feet. Lows 37 to 47 at 5000 feet...33 to 43 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to around 85 mph over higher elevations.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain...slight chance of snow near the crest. Very windy. Snow level above 8000 feet. Highs 48 to 58 at 5000 feet...41 to 49 at 8000 feet. Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to around 85 mph over higher elevations.
Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:
Yosemite Valley | Wawona | Tuolumne Meadows | Glacier Point | Big Oak Flat | Hetch Hetchy | El Portal | Mariposa | Badger Pass
==============================
NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY
Yosemite Medical Clinic Holiday Closure
Yosemite Medical Clinic will be closed Friday, November 10th in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday. As usual, ambulance response will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by calling 911. (C. Griffin)
______________________
Yosemite Forum, Tuesday, November 14
"Cultural revitalization in the Mono Lake - Yosemite region: An ethnobotanic perspective" by Dean Tonenna, Bureau of Land Management
The Native People of the Mono Lake and Yosemite area have relied upon the natural resources of the area for thousands of years. This knowledge of the natural world was passed down from one generation to another. Today, Native People recognize the importance of preserving this knowledge and utilize a variety of ways to share this important information. This presentation will primarily focus on how various plants in the region were used to make baskets, cordage, fiber clothing, hunting tools and games.
The Forum will take place Tuesday, November 14th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium. Please contact Greg Stock at 379-1420 for additional information. (G. Stock)
==============================
RECENT NEWS
Power Outage Scheduled For The Week Of November 13
The NPS Facilities Division is continuing to conduct the Electric Power System Studies and ARC Flash Hazard Reduction Analysis. These studies are to comply with OSHA regulations and better protect employees, residents and visitors and improve reliability of the electric distribution systems. The project requires extensive data collection of the electric system components and protective devices.
If your facility or building has standby or emergency power, these outages will not affect that capability. If you are unsure if your building or facility has standby or emergency power, contact your facility manager or supervisor for additional information. Do not connect a generator to the building electrical system unless performed by a qualified electrician with the appropriate transfer switch, and only if approved by the Facilities Management Division.
There are no outages planned for the week of November 6. The outage schedule for next week is as follows:
Monday, November 13, 0800-1600
Area(s) affected: NPS Historic Housing area, Yosemite Valley School, Child Care Center, AT&T facility, Emergency Services Complex, NPS Administration Offices, Visitor Center, Museum, and Ranger Club.
Tuesday, November 14, 0800-1600
Area(s) affected: Yosemite Falls Comfort Station, Residence One, the Chapel, Union Point, all facilities at Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome Communications Site, all of the Yosemite Lodge areas, Camp 4 Campground, Yosemite Creek Lift Station and Wells, “The Fort” and surrounding outbuildings, Verizon/AT&T cell site and Court House.
Wednesday, November 15, 0800-1600
Area(s) affected: Yosemite Valley Clinic, Lower Tecoya housing, Art Center, Camp Six, Yosemite Hospitality Garage & Administrative Offices, Housekeeping Camp, Curry Village Lift Station, Old Ice Rink Area, Half Dome Village Tents & Cafeteria, Happy Isles, Water Tank Control Building, Vernal Fall Lift Station, Water System & Comfort Station.
Thursday, November 16, 0800-1600
Area(s) affected: Half Dome Village Bungalows, Campground Reservations Office, Lower Pines Campground, Lower Pines Lift Station, North Pines Campground, North Pines Lift Station, Back Packers Campground, Yosemite Hospitality stables and housing area, Upper Pines Campground, Boys Town, Church Bowl.
For questions, comments or concerns contact Kerstin Henry, Branch Chief of Design and Engineering, (209) 379-1068. (K. Henry)
______________________
New Menu Concept at The Loft at Degnan's
The Loft at Degnan’s now highlights a little bit of the East and West. The new menu features rice bowls, burritos, tacos, and pizza (pizza 2 pm to 6 pm only). Additionally, we have changed the lineup of five beers on tap in addition to our wine on tap. This newly designed space is a great spot to enjoy a casual meal while you watch sports on the TVs or relax by the fireplace. The Loft at Degnan’s is open 2 pm – 9 pm every Friday and Saturday during the fall/winter season. (L. Cesaro)
______________________
The Carabiner Is Back
As of Tuesday, October 31st, the Carabiner is open for the season. Located once again at the Half Dome Village Coffee Corner, the Carabiner will be open nightly from 6pm to 11pm. Special events, blackout dates, and the new menu can all be found at www.facebook.com/
______________________
Nominate A Fellow NPS Colleague For #InsideYosemite
You may recall Yosemite started a new social media campaign a few months ago aimed at recognizing its very own NPS staff. The goal is to recognize the great work and outstanding public service that people do as stewards of Yosemite. The social media crew has been regularly highlighting people on Yosemite's social media platforms to showcase the professionalism, dedication and importance of what you do to thousands of our social media followers.
Check out some recent posts: https://www.facebook.
If you know people who deserve to be recognized then go ahead and nominate someone! The success of recognizing people depends on you so please use this form to nominate people: https://goo.gl/forms/M
______________________
Croaking Toad Presentation Thursday 8am
Recent Advancements in studying Yosemite Valley Rockfalls by Greg Stock, Park Geologist
Yosemite has experienced many significant rockfalls this year. Rockfalls present challenging - and sometimes tragic - situations, but they also offer opportunities to learn more about how and why rockfalls happen. This talk will describe how new analytical tools such as high-resolution photography, structure-from-motion photogrammetry, airborne and terrestrial laser scanning, cliff monitoring, and cosmogenic exposure dating provide new insights that improve our understanding of rockfalls and help the park reduce rockfall risk.
This event will take place Thursday, November 9th from 8 am to 9 am in the El Portal Warehouse complex Large Breakroom. (M. Thornley)
______________________
Fire Update November 6
The Mariposa Grove prescription fire successfully treated approximately 100 acres within the historic sequoia grove. This included acreage in unit 11 and unit 4. There was moderate smoke production with smoke dispersal to the northeast. Burning in the Mariposa Grove is a continuous process; the targeted areas have had 1-3 prescribed fires in the past 30 years, and continued burning is required to maintain healthy forest conditions. Fire produces the optimum conditions for Giant Sequoia regeneration. Fire not only removes the accumulated layers of dead woody debris exposing nutrient rich mineral soil, but is needed to dry the cones and allow the seeds to shed. In addition, by reducing the number of trees and undergrowth, wildfire opens up the forest canopy and reduces shade-tolerant competition.
The Yosemite wildland fires (Ribbon, South Fork, Porcupine) that are currently active may still smolder but these will likely not be producing much smoke. Expect to still see light, visible smoke on the Empire and Starr King fires.
Firefighters began pile burning in Yosemite as part of the Vista Management Project and Meadow Restoration project with Resource Management and Science. They will continue pile burning operations throughout the park. If conditions are too wet to do prescribed burning, fire crews will shift to thinning projects around developed and high risk areas. (L. Murphy)
______________________
House for Rent - Short Term for 5 months
Now accepting applications for a unique and cozy 2 bedroom 1 bath cabin for rent. $1100 monthly and 1 month security deposit. The deposit can be paid in two installments. The house comes with a separate secure storage/shop building for your use. The house sits on 5 open acres on Ashworth Rd. just outside Mariposa. The cabin is next to my house. Easy access to Hwy. 140 via Silva and Triangle Road. El Portal is 45 minutes and the Valley is 1 hour 15 minutes commute. Layout includes first floor living room with wood-burning stove, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The second floor is one large open room with high ceilings (loft feel) and an exterior second floor sitting deck with great expansive western horizon views and sunsets. There is a washer and dryer. There is a wood stove, electric heater, and in wall heater in the bathroom for winter and a swamp cooler for the summer. The cabin can be partially furnished. Water is included in monthly rent. Call Joe at 504-418-4300, or email llewellynjoe@yahoo.com. (J. Llewellyn)
______________________
House for Rent - Available November 12
Modern, bright and clean 1640 sqft 3 bedroom 2 bath house with open floor plan. Recent upgrades include interior paint, floors, fixtures, kitchen, and appliances. Central air heat, and wood stove. Front load washer and dryer. The property is private on 3.5 acres of flat to rolling granite, grass and oaks. Location is Midpines Triangle Carleton area. 2 min to 140. Short and long term applications accepted. The home is fully furnished including all kitchenware and counter-top appliances. Rent includes: Water/Sewer, local & nationwide calls, fast DSL internet, and a huge bonus, onsite trash & Recycling removal. $1950 mo. For add’l info Call/Text John at 209-742-3456 or Quarryhouses@gmail.com (J. Zisa)
==============================
CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Yosemite Valley Parking and Road Construction
On Tuesday 11/7, the park closed Northside Drive between Sentinel Drive and Yosemite Lodge to all traffic to allow contractors to pulverize and pave Northside Drive. Temperatures will be warmer in the next two weeks than originally predicted, allowing the park to do the work this fall when there will be less impact on visitors. Traffic will circulate as follows:
One-way traffic El Cap Crossover northbound from Southside Drive to Northside Drive
Two-way traffic Southside Drive El Cap Crossover to Sentinel Dr.
One-way traffic Sentinel Drive southbound from Village to Southside Drive
Full Closure of Northside Drive from Sentinel Dr. to Lower Falls intersection at the lodge
Two-way traffic Northside Drive from Lower Falls intersection at the lodge to El Cap Crossover
Contractors are scheduled to pave the road 11/16 and 11/17. Pavement will be in place and roads restored to normal configuration prior to 11/22. Thank you for your patience.
Contractors will continue work on culvert headwalls on El Portal Road, west of Pohono Bridge. There will be short delays (<10 minutes).
Work will also continue at the Camp 4 parking area with parking for campers available across the street at the Yosemite Falls parking area. Contractors also plan to complete Camp 4 by November 13th.
Masons will continue work on the masonry headwalls on Northside Drive in the west end of Yosemite Valley and the El Portal Road between Pohono Bridge and the Big Oak Flat intersection. (L. Acree)
______________________
All Public Transit Services Suspended At Yosemite Village Bus Stops
Due to road construction, YARTS and Yosemite Valley shuttle buses cannot stop at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center or other stops in Yosemite Village. YARTS riders should be prepared to use bus stops at Half Dome Village, The Majestic Hotel, or the Yosemite Valley Lodge until the current phase of road construction is completed, prior to November 22. (J. Donovan)
______________________
Shuttle Route Modification
As of today, there will be a single Yosemite Valley shuttle loop. Due to the construction, there will be a modified order of stops. Shuttle stop order follows:
Stop Order: #2, 3, 4, 10, 7, 8, E4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and then back to stop #2. Stops #1, 5, 9, do not currently exist.
Stop #2 is currently behind near the Yosemite Village Garage.
Stop #E4 is currently just west of the El Capitan Picnic Area. (S. Miyako)
______________________
Tioga Road And Glacier Point Road Open
The Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road reopened Monday morning and will remain open until further notice. For the most current road conditions call 209-372-0200 (press 1,1). (S. Gediman)
______________________
Limited Parking At El Portal Complex
Beginning Tuesday November 7th and continuing through Thursday November 16th there will be limited parking at the El Portal Complex. The PV System (Solar) will be having preventative maintenance, inspections and cleaning by contractors. Work is anticipated to begin at 0700-1700 each day.
The parking areas will be blocked off in specific areas as the contractor will need full access to all panels, inverters, etc. The schedule is as follows:
Inspections
11/7/17-Carports PV nearest the old NPS Fuel station
11/8/17-Carports near B&G end of the building
11/9/17-Covered Parking by B&G, all Wall Mounted PV panels and roof top at covered storage (Including where Fleet vehicles are parked and property turn in area)
Cleaning 11/13-11/16: No parking restrictions required during this time, cars parked under the panels during cleaning will get wet. (K. Bablitch)
______________________
Yosemite Valley Building Demolition
The abatement and demolition of the AAC Center began on Monday, November 6th and will continue through November 22nd, with the building demolition phase scheduled November 27th – December 18th. The accessible pedestrian pathway from the new Yosemite Village Day Use Parking Area to Yosemite Village (to the Village Store, Visitors Center, etc.) will not be blocked and will have chain link fencing on the interior side for visitor protection. The site will be restored to a seasonal wetland in 2018. (D. Miller)