These tree falls and the HUGE number of dead trees in the Sierras is changing how the wildland firefighters fight fires. Many dead trees are breaking 10 or more feet above ground. They just snap off. With the danger of so many dead trees falling they can no longer go into the forest and fight the fire. They have to stay on the edges and work on fire breaks instead. There is also a lot of fuel onby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteDavidK42That's pretty amazing work given what was involved in stabilizing this stretch. It is amazing how fast they got it done. I got to walk around it a few times and see how they progressed.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I saw it on my way out today. The Sign Shop did a good job. I wonder if they changed the way it is hung up there and made it so it cannot be taken down easily?by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm glad Aramark will be running it. If Trump ran it they would go broke in a few months. Yes, I know it's a joke.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteyosemitejim No video shows up on my screen. This might be useful for those using antique computers like mine. http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article141384098.htmlby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe. ~ John Muir.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I wonder why no wood pellet company has taken advantage if this? They'd get millions of FREE trees, some already chipped up. If I had the money to invest, I'd set up a pellet manufacturing plant.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've met him a few times. Real nice guy. So it goes.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotettilleyThis is where my comment about "acceptable risk" comes in, I think. In a designated campground I think the NPS, given the combination of wet soils and weakened trees, may end up being forced to err on the side of caution with various sites. In the backcountry one has greater latitude to make choices which may mitigate risk, and further, one is expected to do so. Agreedby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover I really wish you would read what I write......I did read and understand your whole argument. Just because I disagree doesn't mean I didn't read or understand.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I like the west side of Pinnacles the best. That way you can go wine tasting at some great wineries (better wines than Napa).by Dave - General Discussion
Quoteparklover...... I think you get my point. ... I fully understand your point. I can't agree with it. At that point in time, with saturated soils, trees full of heavy snow, and winds, that part of the Park was not safe. Yes, bad things happen everywhere and can happen at any time. No one is disputing that. Those risks are factored in on trips like this. Being aware of added, unnecessary, rby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
By any chance are you going through southern California? Lots of rockhounding there. Lake Mountains has some nice stuff, not agate though. There's a lot of agate around.... of course.... Agate Hill Road. Hwy 70, just north of where you'll be.by Dave - General Discussion
That's fine. Kids can do all that stuff while under their parents control. When the schools district is in control, they have to make sure everything they do is safe. For a school, they made the safe decision.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I thought I checked.... oh well.... The road crews will try very hard to get the road open at least by the Friday before the big July 4th weekend. They understand that the businesses on both sides of the pass rely heavily on that holiday traffic. Everyone else has to understand that the safety of the road crew is the most important.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Lots of heavy, wet, snow, saturated soils, all make for a lot of down trees.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It often comes down to how many road repairs need to be made.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
June 31st. That's the Friday before the July 4th weekend.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Meteor Crater, Arizona. Dinosaur National Monument, Utah Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas, where you can hunt for diamonds.by Dave - General Discussion
QuoteeeekEarthquake?Better map reader.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Did you know that Rose Peak is no longer the highest point in Alameda County? Discovery Peak, not too far away, is by 26 feet. Also, the best water in the county is that spring at Maggies.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
84%? That low?by Dave - General Discussion
I've done it several times. I never get tired of it. Three days is about right. First night at Eagles Aerie, second (and often a third) night at Maggies Half Acre. Good water at both sites.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I would not count on it. Highway 140, along the Merced River, is a much nicer drive anyway. Bring your gold pan and do some panning at Briceburg.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotechicagocwrightThankfully I've never seen a crowd like that here (I'm almost certain that is Skagway) but I've certainly seen that type of trail! That's Chilkoot Pass. It's a scree slope with pretty big rocks. A "trail" going straight up that is not going to cause much erosion. From the pictures I've seen; it's probably easier to do it after a few good snows. A trail on a dirt sloby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I still love the Ohlone Trail in the spring. I counted over 50 different species of wild flowers on one trip.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
True. But that's a good start. Some aquifers cannot be recharged to their predrought levels because of land subsidence. Some areas of the San Joaquin Valley have sank more than 28 feet.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It all boils down to; don't be an idiot and don't cut switchbacks. I've been on several trail maintenance parties and have had to repair the damage caused by cutting switchbacks. One, often used by equestrians, was almost 9 feet deep. We filled it with rocks and covered it with brush.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That's going to recharge that aquifer.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover...I am with you, I doubt the validity of the story and feel it was written as a hype and for entertainment but not for facts. As is much of what is claimed to be "news" these days. Big on hype, low on facts.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion