Yosemite Blog

The Merced River at Pohono bridge is expected to crest at 15.5′ tonight and recede to near 10′ late Tuesday evening. Flood stage is 10′.

Flooding should be expected or the next couple of days.

A flood warning is in effect through 10 pm tonight.

This is Sentinel Meadow with part of Upper Yosemite Fall visible in the background.

Photo courtesy of National Park Service.

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Originally uploaded by Ambitious Wench.

As you all may have heard this year has been exceptionally wet for the Sierra Nevada. In fact, Yosemite’s snowpack is around 180% of normal.

Edie, our reporter in the field, sent along this message: “Indian creek is under flood watch at Tecoya housing area, across the road from the Medical/Dental clinic.”

The picture you see is workers in Yosemite sandbagging the area around the Tecoya housing area.

Thanks for the info and the pic, Edie.

Now that fair weather is here and the the snow is beginning to melt at higher elevations, it’s time to start planning your summer vacation. One of the best things I’ve found to help me plan my trips to Yosemite is the Trails Illustrated Yosemite Topographic Map.

Sure, the map you’re given at the gate shows the general layout of the Park but printed right on it is a warning never to use it for hiking or backcountry travel. Trails Illustrated Topographic Maps are full color, shaded relief maps that are put out by the National Geographic Society, long known for their excellent maps. The maps highlight features useful to hikers, backpackers, campers and day visitors a like including trails, facilities, trailheads, points of interest, and campgrounds.

My favorite feature is that the maps are printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material making them perfect for when my son wants to take a look at the map or for when I forget it’s stuffed into the side pocket of my shorts at a stream crossing. To pick one up yourself click on the picture or any of the links. The Trails Illustrated Yosemite Topographic Map currently retails for $9.95 making it an affordable investment.

Last night we ventured out to Barnes and Noble and where I picked up a couple of new books on Yosemite.

The first, Railroads of the Yosemite Valley is an awesome historical reference of the building of the railroads that served the Yosemite region. Loaded with interesting pictures taken during the hey day of the railroad, Railroads of the Yosemite Valley chronicles the history of the railroads, their use by the logging and industrial firms around the park, and their role bringing visitors to Yosemite. This book is going to have me looking for signs of the old railway now. I particularly couldn’t believe the photos of the old inlcine railways which were set up the side of the mountain at about 60 degrees. This is definitely one that you’ll want to check out.

I’m never one to turn down creative and interesting books of photos of Yosemite (it’s nice to see what other people are doing) so the second book I got was Keith S. Walklets’ Yosemite: An Enduring Treasure. What an awesome body of work! The photography is phenomenal; trading traditional views for one a little different from the norm. Couple that with Keith’s fantastic writing and an imaginitive layout and design for the book and you have a book that will inspire and awe you at the same time. I’m keeping this one up out of reach of the kid.

Both books are available through the Yosemite Association‘ store or by clicking the photos and links above.