Just read this closure list and had a mild cardiac moment. However, a phone call clarified that the LODGE food court isn't closing for the season, it's the one at Half Dome (nee Curry) Village, which has typically closed in the fall. Aramark is still coming up with surprises, but thankfully this isn't one of them.by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Another perspective, courtesy of the Conservancy webcam. Wednesday: http://www.halfdome.net/movies/inspiration_pt_4/ Thursday: http://www.halfdome.net/movies/inspiration_pt_3/ Links are not cooperating so these may be more reliable: http://halfdome.net/moviefiles/inspiration_pt/2017/tb_2017_09_27.mp4 http://halfdome.net/moviefiles/inspiration_pt/2017/tb_2017_09_28.mp4by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/rockfall.htmby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Didn't find this in the search so it may be a new toy to play with. XplorIt.com has compiled a virtual visit to Yosemite, kind of like a google streetview type of experience with added bells and whistles including VR. It's still a weak substitute for the real thing, but it might make sharing easier for those who can't get there otherwise. http://xplorit.com/yosemite-caby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The new season begins! SR 120 IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 5 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/ (TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - DUE TO SNOW - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTEby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yesterday had some weather drama in the Sierra and the Conservancy's Sentinel Dome camera caught a bit of it:by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This Sierra News Online article about Big Oak Flat Road is probably ancient history here but a hiking buddy sent it and it seems appropriate: http://sierranewsonline.com/hiking-along-the-old-big-flat-road/by phantum - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Tioga Pass Resort posted some aerial views from their side of the hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmeJ85dwEQI&feature=youtu.beby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The "lack of access" description may be a semantics issue -- this is Aramark's first shot at it. The last season with concerns about a heavy winter was 2011: https://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,36869,37045by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.travelyosemite.com/news/2017/summer-closure-information-and-faq/by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
More to this than just snow on the ground. Soggy trail and campsite conditions will likely be around through the limited season. Heavy usage by campers and support staff could be impractical or potentially damaging. Water and sewage systems could be affected. And they'd hardly get camps up and running before they'd have to start shutting them down again. Sucks for people who won their lottery resby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/features/athletes/alex-honnold/most-dangerous-free-solo-climb-yosemite-national-park-el-capitan/by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Here's another Tioga Pass reference photo from about a week ago -- TP Resort at about 9500' on the east side of the pass: https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17192019_10154282536903239_6669498935413940846_o.jpg?oh=ba80931b94122e57bf65bffda7ae6627&oe=599F4569 In case that doesn't work, it's posted to their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TiogaPassResort/photos/a.3581401by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/24/steamboat-springs-bear-doughnuts/by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
"Caltrans District 9 did a fly over of Tioga Pass (SR120 west) from US Highway 395 to the top of the pass last Monday, May 1st. We have a long way to go before the road is cleared of snow!"by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.rgj.com/story/life/outdoors/2017/03/09/congress-could-dump-wilderness-bike-ban/98985972/by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.kcra.com/article/tree-falls-kills-woman-in-yosemite-national-park/9094449by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wished for this many times as it's such a nice setting -- and an alternative to the food court 👍 http://www.travelyosemite.com/media/627483/mountain-room-lounge_menu.pdfby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sierra-dead-trees-20170128-story.htmlby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Yosemite-waterfalls-storm-national-park-roaring-10424779.phpby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
One of the best parts of the Sierra is all the purty rocks -- but Caltrans's legal dept. has to add its "don't say we didn't warn ya" after those SUV-sized beauties snuck onto the road ...by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
As of now -- but subject to change ... SR120W Tioga Pass is NOW REOPENED to Normal Traffic, motorists are advised to watch for rocks! https://www.facebook.com/Caltrans-District-9-178603062220478/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nfby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Then again: UPDATED: The Tioga Road will not reopen until noon on Thursday, October 20. The delay is due to a new rockfall. https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/photos/a.156902234358067.26538.138795446168746/1122392557809025/?type=3&theaterby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
From the Yosemite facebook site this afternoon: The Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) reopens at 5 pm today! The road had been closed due to snow and rockfall. Drive carefully: you may encounter some icy sections https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/photos/a.156902234358067.26538.138795446168746/1122392557809025/?type=3&theaterby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
One reason we had to take the l-o-n-g way back to the east side yesterday. Beautiful dogwoods on 120 heading out of the park, though! https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14713523_1187761464637961_4451461181768867407_n.jpg?oh=629b0d52127a2e215d0886fd27ef77ff&oe=5861ED51 https://www.facebook.com/178603062220478/photos/a.372741022806680.87487.178603062220478/1187761464637961/?typby phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
From the Yosemite facebook site posted 10/2 : Due to an incoming winter storm, the Tioga Road will be closing at 7:00 pm PDT and the Glacier Point Road will be closing at 9:00 pm PDT TONIGHT! Road conditions will be reassessed tomorrow morning. Call 209-372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for current road conditions in the park. https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/posts/1112388928809388by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There was lots of anticipation and speculation about the changeover of Yosemite concessionaires. Has anyone noticed actual consequences of the turnover for park visitors at this point as far as facilities, services, food quality and selection, prices, etc.?by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14495282_1133327733369900_6173843678379678267_n.png?oh=f6ee2fec6ce7b2d858b690d9d26bde71&oe=58A9E484by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/08/news/os-dawson8by phantum - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion