The end of December snow survey reported about 100% of normal precipitation across the Southern Sierra so this may again be a normal year after the recent couple droughty years. Despite moderate drought in many areas, lower elevations west of Yosemite were above average last year. The start of this winter for the lower elevation Yosemite region bodes well for spring wildflowers in particular as I found CDEC shows Yosemite Valley with 15.5 inches of precipitation so far, Gin Flat with 16.8 inches, Wawona with 21.7 inches, and Briceberg 12.5 inches. Given the huge Merced Canyon bloom last year, there ought to be a considerable seed crop available for a repeat if rains continue into late winter. The below is via my Canon G10 from March 21, 2009 in a high billy goat ravine of the burn areas.
And this 4x5 crudely scanned Provia 100F transparency on June 6 from above El Portal within park boundaries:
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2010 09:06AM by DavidSenesac.