Yosemite Blog

Marty the Marmot

Originally uploaded by Chuck Rogers.

Here’s a great photo from Chuck Rogers of one of the Yosemite High Country’s more colorful residents, the yellow bellied marmot.

This one seems to have the same expression that all of the marmots I’ve happened across have. They seem to be thinking, “big stupid humans”.

Usually we both stop and stare at each other for a number of minutes then we each shrug and go about our business.

I like marmots. Definitely one of my more favorite residents of Yosemite.

Just called into the Park and it looks like all roads are open into Yosemite at this time.

If you’re headed up to the park today beware of the water. Every year the Merced River takes at least one life.

Remember, it takes only 6 inches of fast flowing water to knock a person off their feet or push your car off the roadway.

If you are swept off your feet remember to point your feet downstream, keeping your legs together and swim towards shore. Let the waters momentum carry you to the bank.

Hypothermia is a serious danger with cold water and can set in quickly as the body’s temperature drops to dangerous levels. Warning signs for hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, slow-irregular pulse, glassy stare, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.

Call NPS immediately by dialing 911 from any phone within the Park. Be prepared to tell them where you’re at as best you can. Until EMS personnel arrive you should carefully remove any wet clothing and dry the victim as best you can. Warm the body gradually with blankets or by putting on dry clothing and moving them to a warm environment like the inside of a vehicle until help arrives.

How much do you love Yosemite? Do you love it enough that you want it to be your final resting place?

If you’ve ever thought about being cremated and having your ashes spread over the National Park then here’s some news, you can.

The NPS regularly grants permission to those who wish to scatter cremated remains within Yosemite National Park.

There are a few stipulations, however.

National Park Service:

• All such activity must be done out of sight of any public access, such as roads, trails, parking areas, etc.;
• All such activity must be at least 100 yards from any watercourse;
• Cremains must be spread over an area large enough that no single portion is accumulated in one place.

To receive permission send a letter to Special Park Uses, National Park Sercive, P.O. Box 700-W, El Portal, CA 95318.

Remember, since Yosemite National Park falls within the boundaries of the State of California, you will also need to get permission from the state to dispose of the cremated remains.

National Park Service: “National Park officials, Department of Water Resource officials, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have predicted that water levels are likely to rise and remain above the normal high water mark from approximately late Friday night through Monday morning.

Due to safety concerns, visitors are advised that facilities and/or roads in Yosemite Valley may have limited accessibility or not be accessible during high water. Additionally, access may be limited at any time to only those vehicles determined to have ground clearance high enough to be safe.

Visitors who are concerned about road conditions are advised to check the Yosemite National Park webpage at www.nps.gov/yose or to call the automated telephone message, which will be updated regularly as conditions change:

Road and weather conditions: 209/372-0200

Visitors who are planning to stay in Yosemite Valley campgrounds, including Upper, Lower, and North Pines are advised to call the campground office at 209/372-8502 to determine the status of their reserved site.

Visitors with reservations at lodging operated by Delaware North Company, Inc., including Housekeeping Camp, the Yosemite Lodge, the Ahwahnee Hotel, or Curry Village are advised to call (559) 252-4848 to check the status of their reservation.

Spring high water is a natural process in Yosemite National Park. Heavy snowpack and warm weather are contributing to the likelihood of stream flooding. The National Park Service will be continually monitoring and assessing the situation. Yosemite National Park will remain open to visitors with impacts from occasional high water only expected in Yosemite Valley.”

National Park Service: “Yosemite National Park has experienced an unusually long, wet winter this year. Snow pack in the Merced River drainage is at 187% of an average year and the Tuolumne River drainage is at 179% of an average year. Snow densities are averaging about 50% water content. This wet weather has extended late into the spring season.

This has led to a particularly spectacular spring melt off that has Yosemite’s waterfalls flowing beyond capacity. Visitors are enjoying a waterfall season in Yosemite Valley not witnessed in many years.

It has also created a very difficult job for the National Park Service employees tasked with clearing and opening the Tioga Road. Among the obstacles they are facing are extreme avalanche hazards, excessive numbers of downed trees, and rockfalls. The dense snow pack is causing multiple machinery failures and constant machinery maintenance.

In one area of the pass, workers are unable to blast a large rockfall covering the road because it is within an avalanche zone. High Sierra avalanches tend to be ’slab’ avalanches and occur when a whole sheet of dense snow slides on a granite face.

The Tioga Road will not be open before mid June and the opening could be later than that.

However, the Glacier Point Road will likely be open for Memorial Day weekend. Yosemite National Park management is projecting a May 27 opening date.”