Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
December 23, 2009

Weather: (December 17 through December 23)
High temp: 52° (December 19)
Low temp: 6 (December 21)
New Snow: 11”
Total settled snow depth: 27” as of December 23

Ski Conditions and Weather: This week had a little bit of everything weather-wise. We had very warm temperatures over the weekend with bright sunshine putting a sun crust on top of the snow. Then Monday we got a cold, windy storm dumping 10 inches of new snow on us. There are now snowdrifts and wind crust between the soft snow. Touring is quite good. Caution is advised on any steep terrain due to the shallow snowpack and wind loading.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. It looks like they are still looking for an avalanche forecaster. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife: We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Raven, and Clark’s Nutcracker.

Questions: Saturday night all our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers).

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
December 23, 2009

Weather: (December 17 through December 23)
High temp: 52° (December 19)
Low temp: 6 (December 21)
New Snow: 11”
Total settled snow depth: 27” as of December 23

Ski Conditions and Weather: This week had a little bit of everything weather-wise. We had very warm temperatures over the weekend with bright sunshine putting a sun crust on top of the snow. Then Monday we got a cold, windy storm dumping 10 inches of new snow on us. There are now snowdrifts and wind crust between the soft snow. Touring is quite good. Caution is advised on any steep terrain due to the shallow snowpack and wind loading.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. It looks like they are still looking for an avalanche forecaster. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife: We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Raven, and Clark’s Nutcracker.

Questions: Saturday night all our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers).

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE

Weather: (December 24 through December 30)
High temp: 49° (December 24)
Low temp: -3 (December 28)
New Snow: 11”
Total settled snow depth: 27” as of December 30

Ski Conditions and Weather: This week we had an unsettled weather pattern bringing us another 11 inches of snow. It did not add anything to our base as we are at the same amount we had last week. For the month of December we picked up 77 inches of snow with the water equivalent of 4.17 inches. We climbed up to around 10,000 feet this week to see what the snow coverage was like and it is good. It is a little unnerving since you can still see all the rocks and downed trees outlined underneath the snow, but we did not hit anything with our skis. North facing slopes have good powder snow on them. The highest peaks are wind scoured with lots of rock showing through. Touring is great but is sticky where the sun is hitting it. Let’s hope for more snow.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. It looks like they are still looking for an avalanche forecaster. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife: We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, and Clark’s Nutcracker .

Questions: All our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers, 12/30).

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
January 13, 2010

Weather: (Jan. 7-13)
High temperature: 51°F (Jan. 11)
Low temperature: 14°F (Jan. 7)
New snow: 15 in.
Total settled snow depth: 32 in. (Jan. 13)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
This past week started with warm, balmy days and light winds and ended with a nice little storm dumping a foot of wet snow on us. The snow to water ratios were 10:1. Our previous storms were almost double that, meaning this snow will settle less and give us a more substantial base. It was certainly needed,as the snow receiving the most sun was melting fast. We also received a couple of nuisance snow showers this week that didn’t help the snow pack and made for some sticky snow. It looks like we will get a break for a few days before a very stormy week starts. Touring is good but expect to be trail breaking if you are coming in.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents. We also saw our local Pine Marten in Ranger Camp investigating all the buildings.

Well the birds must have thought it was spring, as we had an American Robin singing outside our cabin this week. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Raven, Red Crossbill, and Clark’s Nutcracker.

Questions:
All our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.



--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

January 13, 2010

Weather: (Jan. 7-13)
High temperature: 51°F (Jan. 11)
Low temperature: 14°F (Jan. 7)
New snow: 15 in.
Total settled snow depth: 32 in. (Jan. 13)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
This past week started with warm, balmy days and light winds and ended with a nice little storm dumping a foot of wet snow on us. The snow to water ratios were 10:1. Our previous storms were almost double that, meaning this snow will settle less and give us a more substantial base. It was certainly needed,as the snow receiving the most sun was melting fast. We also received a couple of nuisance snow showers this week that didn’t help the snow pack and made for some sticky snow. It looks like we will get a break for a few days before a very stormy week starts. Touring is good but expect to be trail breaking if you are coming in.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents. We also saw our local Pine Marten in Ranger Camp investigating all the buildings.

Well the birds must have thought it was spring, as we had an American Robin singing outside our cabin this week. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Raven, Red Crossbill, and Clark’s Nutcracker.

Questions:
All our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.



--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
January 20, 2010

Weather: (Jan. 14-20)
High temperature: 48°F (Jan. 15)
Low temperature: -3°F (Jan. 14)
New snow: 34 in.
Total settled snow depth: 48 in. (Jan. 20)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
This past week started with warm, balmy days and light winds but by Sunday we were into a storm pattern with snow everyday, giving the Tuolumne Meadows area 34 inches of snow so far. It is still snowing with blizzard conditions. Complete white-outs are occurring at times when strong gusts of wind blow through. We do not recommend travel into the backcountry at this time. Two stronger storms are expected before this pattern calms down. We would advise waiting for a few days after these storms stop as avalanche danger is going to be high. Expect to be trail breaking if you are coming in.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We saw the tracks of Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, weasel, and many tiny rodents.

Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Hairy Woodpecker, Red Crossbill, and Clark’s Nutcracker.

Questions:
All our phone lines went dead, so there is no way to contact us if you have questions. There appears to be a problem with the phone cable somewhere between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley. AT&T is aware of the problem. No timeline was given for when it can be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
February 3, 2010

Weather: (Jan. 28- Feb. 3)
High temperature: 46°F (Jan. 28)
Low temperature: -7°F (Jan. 31)
New snow: 2 in.
Total settled snow depth: 47 in. (Feb. 3)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
Well, as you can see, we had to skip last week’s report due to a power outage here in Tuolumne Meadows. More on that later. For the month of January, we received 98 inches of snow with a water content of 6.2 inches. Very light, dry snow. The large system that pummeled us for a week straight brought close to seven feet of snow here in Tuolumne Meadows. Snow surveys last week are showing our snowpack above average.

The temperatures have been on the cool side with many cloudy days, the results of storms to our north. Trail breaking has gone from impossible to fairly easy in the last few days. We are sinking in about six inches. However, there is another storm forecasted for this weekend, which could make travel difficult. Reports from Lee Vining Canyon said snowline is at the locked gate on Highway 120, which means you can ski the whole way in with the exception of two small bare spots where you might have to take off your skis. Visitors report three areas where avalanche debris has crossed the road.

On January 25, we lost power here in Tuolumne Meadows. Southern California Edison, which is the utility supplying the power, has said they are not going to fix it till the snow melts, i.e., months from now. So what that means to visitors coming in to use the Tuolumne Meadows ski hut is you have to bring your own stove and fuel and a good light source. There is no power to the ski hut. Also, all phone lines and cell towers are down, so don’t expect to be making phone calls once you get in here.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We saw our usual Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, and many tiny rodent tracks.

Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch, White Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, and Red Crossbills.

Questions:
As mentioned above, we have no land lines or cell tower operating. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Is this years snow pack going to create conditions like it did a few years back when the backcountry camps were not opened that summer due to the late melt? I love it when the high sierra camps are closed and I can get back in there with my llamas.

Quote
Dave
Is this years snow pack going to create conditions like it did a few years back when the backcountry camps were not opened that summer due to the late melt?

It is way to early to tell.

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
February 10, 2010

Weather: (Feb. 3- Feb. 9)
High temperature: 40°F (Feb. 3)
Low temperature: -5°F (Feb. 8)
New snow: 15 in.
Total settled snow depth: 51 in. (Feb. 10)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
It has been a mixed bag of weather this week in Tuolumne Meadows, with three days of snow, two days of bright sunshine, and a couple days of overcast and windy conditions. It has been cold enough to keep the new snow nice and powdery on the north facing slopes, where great turns can be had in about a foot of fluffy powder over a nice firm base. The snow tends to get very sticky in the sunny areas during the warmest part of the day, not very enjoyable for touring. The trail breaking is relatively easy, 4-6 inches deep. Latest report from skiers coming in from the east side is that there is snow all the way down to the gate outside of Lee Vining, with only a couple short stretches of bare pavement above that point.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We have seen very little wildlife in the past couple of weeks, just the usual tracks of coyotes, pine martens, weasels, squirrels, mice, and hares, along with birds such as Mountain Chickadees, Brown Creepers, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbills, Stellar’s Jays, and Clark’s Nutcrackers. One unusual sighting was a Northern Flicker in a juniper tree eating berries a couple days ago, very odd to see that bird up so high this time of the year.

A Friendly Reminder: Our phones have been out for a couple months now, and the electricity has been out for a couple weeks. It is anticipated that neither problem will be fixed until after the road is plowed later this spring, so if you plan on staying at the ski hut remember to bring your headlamp and backpacking stove, and leave your cell phone at home.

--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
February 17, 2010

Weather: (Feb. 11- Feb. 17)
High temperature: 53°F (Feb. 15)
Low temperature: 4°F (Feb. 11)
New snow: 0 in.
Total settled snow depth: 43 in. (Feb. 17)

Ski Conditions and Weather:
This past week, high pressure has dominated our weather with warm temperatures and sunny days. There has been no measurable snow now for 10 days. The snowpack is dropping about an inch a day. There is a breakable crust on top of the snow which makes for easy touring but getting decent turns is a bit harder. In Lee Vining Canyon, the snowline is still at the locked gate on Highway 120, which means you can ski most of the way in but there are some bare spots between the gate and Warren Fork. The weather service is forecasting a return to a wet pattern starting Friday.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions:
For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife:
We saw our usual Coyote, Pine Marten, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, and many tiny rodent tracks.

Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, and Common Raven.

Questions:We have no land lines or cell tower operating and the power is still out. Sorry for the inconvenience.

--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers