Infos zum Yosemite NP

Rockslide Blocks Popular Entrance to Yosemite National Park

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A large rockslide has blocked one of the main roads into Yosemite National Park that will remain closed at least through the weekend, an official said Tuesday.
About 4,000 tons (3,600 metric tons) of rock detached from a cliff on Monday, blocking El Portal Road, park spokesman Scott Gediman said.
El Portal Road is a continuation of Highway 140 and the gateway for about a third of the park's visitors who enter from the foothills above the Central Valley. About 700,000 to 800,000 visitors use that entrance each year, Gediman said.
"This massive slab of rock slid down the cliff, hit a ledge, and broke into many pieces," he said.
Those pieces fragmented further after hitting the base of the cliff and fanned out over an area more than 1,000 feet wide with debris rolling down to the Merced River.
The park can still be reached by way of Highways 41 and 120. The three entrances on the west side of the Sierra lead to Yosemite Valley, the park's main attraction.
The closure cut off the valley from the village of El Portal and the city of Mariposa, which are home to most of the park's employees. Commutes that typically take 30 minutes to an hour are now taking two to three hours, Gediman said.
The park's eastern entrance is still closed as plow crews clear near-record snowfall on the road to Tioga Pass, which sits at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level.

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El Portal Road (Highway 140) and Arch Rock Entrance Reopen in Yosemite National Park

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The El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite Valley is scheduled to reopen to all traffic Sunday, June 18 at 6:00 am. The first two miles of the El Portal Road from the park boundary is signed as a no-stopping zone.

Visitors driving through the damaged section of the road should follow all road signs and drive with caution. The damaged section of road has been repaired with gravel and there may be dirt and debris in the roadway.

The El Portal Road has been closed due to a significant rockfall since Monday, June 12. Park road crews have been working to clear rock and debris and have been assessing the condition of the roadway.

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Yosemite National Park Announces Pilot Day Use Parking Reservation Program for 2017

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Yosemite National Park announces the second phase of a multi-year pilot program where visitors will be able to reserve a limited number of parking spaces at the Yosemite Falls Parking Area, located directly west of Yosemite Valley Lodge and south of Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley, for four weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, in August 2017.
This pilot program allows visitors the opportunity to guarantee a parking space in Yosemite Valley on four busy weekends in August. Visitors who book a parking reservation will have a space reserved until 4:00 pm, so visitors will be able to arrive during the day to use their reserved parking space. The Yosemite Falls Parking Area is one of two main parking lots in Yosemite Valley. The park encourages visitors to park once and utilize the free shuttle system to get to the Valley Visitor Center and all major attractions in Yosemite Valley.
Reservations for 150 parking spaces can be made beginning today, June 21, 2017 at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. All remaining parking spaces in the Yosemite Falls Parking Area will remain available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are available for passenger vehicles up to 20 feet in length. At this time, reservations cannot be booked for RVs or trailers. There is no charge for day use parking reservations, but a reservation fee of $1.50 will be required per transaction. All transactions are final; no refunds or cancellations will be accepted.
This pilot program is part of a larger effort to evaluate traffic and parking management tools to improve the overall visitor experience in Yosemite National Park. The pilot will let park staff see if there is public interest or demand for day parking reservations. Other traffic management tools the park has implemented include designated bus lanes, a new traffic roundabout, improved parking facilities, and improved signs and wayfinding tools.
“The pilot day parking reservation program is one of many tools Yosemite National Park is using to address traffic and congestion in the park,” stated Acting Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “We are continuously working to improve so we can provide a quality experience for visitors to Yosemite National Park. After this summer season, park staff will evaluate the program and recommend changes based on public feedback.”
The park is expecting a very busy summer season, especially on weekends. Visitors arriving in personal vehicles should plan to expect traffic congestion and travel delays up to three hours before parking your vehicle. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the visitor centers in the park’s Gateway Communities of Mariposa, Oakhurst, Groveland, and Lee Vining to purchase park passes and get information to help plan your trip to Yosemite National Park. Picking up a park pass in the Gateway Communities may help expedite traffic flow at the park’s entrance gate.
A great alternative to driving into Yosemite Valley is to consider parking at stops in the Gateway Communities and riding the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses into Yosemite Valley. Visit http://www.yarts.com for more information. In Yosemite Valley, once you have found a parking space, people are urged to ride the free shuttle, walk, or ride a bike around the Valley to minimize traffic congestion.

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Lingering snow continues to block travel from the east into Yosemite National Park

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Tioga Road through Yosemite National Park remains closed, with a potential opening date pushed even further into the future as melting snow is causing unsafe levels of water in multiple spots.
The closure extends from Tuolumne Grove, east of Crane Flat, to the Tioga Pass entrance station. Vehicles cannot drive to Tuolumne Meadows nor enter the park from the east.
There is still no estimated opening date. In recent years, particularly when California was gripped by drought, the road was opened by early to mid-May, according to a chart on the nps.gov website.
The most recent opening beyond that was June 18, 2011. The last time the road did not open until July 1 was 1998.
Park entrances from the west along Highway 120 as well as Hetch Hetchy, Highway 140 and Highway 41 remain open all year.

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Doch noch eine schnelle Meinungsänderung:

Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park Open to All Vehicular Traffic Thursday, June 29, 2017

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The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park (Highway 120 through the park) will open for the season to all vehicular traffic beginning at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 29, 2017. There will be limited visitor services available from the Tioga Pass Entrance Station to Crane Flat. Tioga Road will open for bicycle and pedestrian users at 8:00 am Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
All visitors on the road are encouraged to use caution as there may be dirt, debris, and water flowing over sections of the road. Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for maintenance vehicles working on the roadway.
There will be minimal services available along the Tioga Road for several weeks. There will be no drinking water. Visitors should use the vault and portable toilets located along the roadway to help protect water quality in the Tuolumne River watershed. Food service and lodging are not available along the Tioga Road. There is no mobile phone service at this time and 911 emergency calls will not be operational. There are no gasoline services available along Tioga Road. Visitors can purchase gasoline in Lee Vining and at Crane Flat.
For maps and visitor information, visit the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center, open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, the Big Oak Flat Information Station, the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, and the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining.
Tamarack Flat Campground is the only campground that is currently open along Tioga Road. This campground is first-come, first served and fills early in the day.
Anyone planning to hike or backpack near Tuolumne Meadows and in all high elevation areas of Yosemite should be prepared for winter hiking and camping conditions. Trails are still impacted by snow and ice. River crossings are high and swift moving. There are several high water areas currently impacting the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the John Muir Trail (JMT) in Yosemite National Park. Trail conditions may vary at any time.
When driving in the park, motorists are urged to drive slowly as bears and other animals are active and may be present on the roadway.

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Spectacular photo captures beauty of Vernal Fall, a must see. But be careful out there
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Limited Number of Day Parking Reservations Still Available for Yosemite Valley

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There are a limited number of day parking reservations still available for visitors planning a trip to Yosemite Valley on weekends this August. Securing a free day parking reservation in Yosemite Valley will greatly enhance a visitor’s experience during weekends in August, the park’s busiest month. These reservations are free (with a $1.50 service fee per reservation) and can be booked online (http://www.recreation.gov) or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. There are 150 parking spaces available by reservation daily and availability is limited. This is the second year Yosemite National Park is testing a pilot day parking reservation program.

These parking reservations are located in the newly designed Yosemite Falls Parking Area, located directly west of Yosemite Valley Lodge and south of Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley. This parking lot also provides visitors the ability to avoid afternoon traffic congestion when leaving Yosemite Valley.

Visitors who book a parking reservation will be guaranteed a parking space in Yosemite Valley from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. A reservation is valid for one day only. Reservations are available for passenger vehicles up to 20 feet in length. At this time, reservations cannot be booked for RVs or trailers.

Anyone planning a trip on a Valley Tram Tour, a day hike on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, or anyone attending a wedding in Yosemite Valley on any Saturday or Sunday this August are strongly encouraged to book a parking reservation today to guarantee a smooth parking experience. Visitors without reservations may experience up to a 3 hour wait for a parking space. Once you drive into Yosemite Valley, the park encourages visitors to park once and explore the Valley Floor by bicycle, on foot, or by taking advantage of the park’s free shuttle service to all major Valley attractions.

A great alternative to driving into Yosemite Valley is to consider parking at stops in the Gateway Communities and riding the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses into Yosemite Valley. Visitwww.yarts.com for more information. Did you know there is Amtrak service to Yosemite National Park? Visithttps://www.amtrak.com/take-train-to-yosemite-park to learn more.

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Waldbrand zerstört 29 Gebäude nahe Yosemite-Nationalpark

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Ein Waldbrand in der Nähe des kalifornischen Yosemite-Nationalparks hat 29 Gebäude zerstört und Tausende Menschen in die Flucht getrieben.

Es sei unklar, wie viele der 29 zerstörten Häuser von Anwohnern seien, teilte die Feuerwehr von Kalifornien am Mittwochabend mit. 3000 Einsatzkräfte arbeiteten daran, den Brand von einer Größe von 194 Quadratkilometern einzudämmen - bei sieben Prozent des Feuers sei dies bereits geschehen.
Es ist einer von mehreren Flächenbränden, die im Westen der USA wüten. Fast 1500 Gebäude wurden ebenso von den Flammen bedroht wie die Stromversorgung des Nationalparks. Den Angaben zufolge wüteten die Flammen rund 60 Kilometer von dem Nationalpark entfernt. Feuerwehrsprecher Jordan Motta sagte, der Brand bewege sich Richtung Süden - weg vom Yosemite.
Das seit Sonntag brennende Feuer nähere sich dem Ort Mariposa, für den eine Evakuierungsanordnung galt. In der Ortschaft leben etwa 2000 Einwohner. Berichte über Verletzte gab es bislang nicht. Mindestens 1400 Feuerwehrleute bekämpften den Brand von Land aus und aus der Luft.

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Thousands Flee Raging Wildfire Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park institutes fire restrictions

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Due to high fire dangers from hot and dry weather, officials at Yosemite National Park instituted Stage 1 fire restrictions last week, meaning no campfires or cooking fires are allowed below 6,000 feet in elevation.
Under the superintendent’s orders, the following restrictions are in place:
- No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or cooking fire (including charcoal fires) within Yosemite below 6,000 feet in elevation. "Sierra" (twig) stoves are not permitted. Portable stoves using pressurized gas, liquid fuel or propane are permitted, as are alcohol stoves.
- No smoking below 6,000 feet except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or in designated smoking area.
- Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in designated campgrounds, picnic areas, and residential areas in developed portions of the park in accordance with park regulations.
- Designated Campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pine, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows.
- Designated Picnic Areas: Lembert Dome, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite Creek, Wawona, Glacier Point, Cascade, El Capitan, Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Church Bowl, and Lower Yosemite Falls.
There are no administrative exemptions to this order. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.
Fire restrictions reduce the probability of an accidental fire that could threaten visitors and employees during times of high fire danger. Cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated.

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Wawona is closed due to a fire

The Wawona area, including the Big Trees Lodge (formerly Wawona Hotel), is closed due to the South Fork Fire. Wawona Campground remains open.
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Active fires force closure of Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park

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With two fires burning south of Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park, officials announced Tuesday morning that the road would have to be temporarily closed to ensure safe firefighting operations.
The road would remain open solely to park staff, and no estimate was given on when it could reopen to the public.
By the latest updates, the South Fork Fire, located about a mile east of Wawona, was at 5,191 acres and 44% contained. Two helicopters and 101 firefighting personnel are assigned to handle the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
North of the South Fork Fire, closer to Glacier Point Road, the Empire Fire was estimated at 4,125 acres and 40% contained. Because it is in a fire-adapted wilderness area, crews have allowed it to burn naturally, officials said, which creates healthier ecosystems.
Alongside the temporary closure of Glacier Point Road, the following trails and areas are closed until further notice:
- Swinging Bridge Trail on both the north and south sides of the Merced River’s South Fork.
- Chilnualna Falls Trail from the Wawona Trailhead to the top of Chilnualna Falls.
- The two-mile connecting trail from Chilnualna Falls to the intersection of Buena Vista and Buck Camp trails.
- Off-trail areas around the South Fork Fire Area.
- All climbing routes on or around Wawona Dome.
- Bridalveil Campground.
As a result of both infernos, smoky conditions remain a regular sight both in and around Yosemite, officials said.
In the park, areas like Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and El Capitan have been smoky for days. Outside Yosemite, Fish Camp, Oakhurst, and Mariposa have also felt the impacts of the haze, especially in the early morning and evening hours.
Those with sensitivity to smoky conditions are advised to consult with their physicians, and remain inside with the windows closed.
Despite the smoggy skies, Yosemite can still be entered from all entrance roads, including Highway 41, officials said.
High temperatures have been causing both fires to be more active, officials said.
On Monday afternoon, intense heat from the South Fork Fire was strong enough to create pyrocumulus clouds that could be seen from Oakhurst.

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California Wildfire Reaches Giant Sequoia Grove

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Authorities say a fire burning near Yosemite National Park has entered a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoias.
California fire officials said Saturday the wildfire entered the Nelder Grove late Friday night.
Giant sequoias are among the largest and longest-lived organisms on Earth.
The Nelder grove holds 106 of them, including one of the world’s largest, the 24-story-high Bull Buck sequoia.
It was unclear of any of the trees had been destroyed. California Department of Fire spokespeople say they have no new information on firefighters’ efforts to save the grove.
Fire officials say the high number of already dead trees in the area is hampering their fight against the more than 8-square-mile wildfire.
Giant sequoia survive in only a few dozen scattered groves in Northern California.

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Glacier Point Road scheduled to reopen as Yosemite fires show minimal growth

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Two fires located in Yosemite National Park, one that previously threatened the community of Wawona, have shown minimal activity into Monday and, barring any changes given oncoming thunderstorms, are being considered a minimal risk, officials said.
Glacier Point Road was scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 5, they added, should favorable conditions continue. The road was closed Aug. 29.
The South Fork Fire, which began Aug. 13 about a mile east of Wawona, was at 6,804 acres and was 47% contained, officials said in a morning update. Fire activity remains quiet near the community that holds around 1,000-2,000 people at any given time, officials said, with most activity out to the east where firefighters wish for it to burn.
Crews held the fire’s spread along Chilnualna Creek to the north, and would continue securing that line Monday, they said. Fifty personnel were assigned to the fire.
Patrols continue along portions of the blaze closest to Wawona, which remains open to activity despite the growing Railroad Fire burning south in the Fish Camp and Cedar Valley areas.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Empire Fire, located near Glacier Point Road to the north of the South Fork Fire, started from a lightning strike July 31, officials said, and was discovered a day later. It was at 4,914 acres Monday and 55% contained.
Officials said fire crews were implementing a perimeter control strategy to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (formerly Badger Pass), the Yosemite West subdivision, and Wawona Road (Highway 41).
The east flank of the Empire Fire is being allowed to burn naturally to strengthen the forest ecosystem, officials said.
A third fire, the Starr King fire located far northwest of both blazes and east of Yosemite Valley, was at 32.4 acres Monday.
The weather was expected to cool over the week, which could assist in firefighting efforts, officials said. There was a “slight chance” of thunderstorms over the afternoon period Monday and following days, they said. The storms can cause gusty and erratic winds, which have made firefighting efforts difficult on the Railroad Fire.
Highway 41 remained closed in the Cedar Valley area north of Oakhurst Monday due to the Railroad Fire. All other entrances to Yosemite are open, as are the locations within Wawona such as the Wawona Golf Course and Big Trees Lodge (formerly Wawona Hotel).
Smoky conditions may still exist in the park due to several fires burning in Eastern Madera County and Mariposa County, as well as the three fires in Yosemite, officials said. Those with sensitivity to smoke are advised to consult with their physician, or stay inside with closed windows.

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Highway 41 reopens tomorrow as firefighters gain upper hand on Railroad, Mission fires

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Firefighters say they’ve turned the corner on the Railroad Fire and plan to reopen Highway 41 Saturday, while the Mission Fire, near North Fork, remained within its containment lines overnight.
The Railroad Fire was reported Friday morning at 12,141 acres - minor growth from 12,099 the night before - and 50% contained, with 1,045 personnel on assignment.
Today (Sept. 8), firefighters said they plan to lift the mandatory evacuation order for Fish Camp and Tenaya Lodge at noon, followed by the reopening of Sky Ranch at 5 p.m. to residents only.
Tomorrow (Sept. 9), the residents of Sugar Pine will be allowed to return home at 3 p.m., followed by the full reopening of Highway 41 at 5 p.m. through to Yosemite National Park.
Officials hope to reopen Cedar Valley, where burning operations were underway Thursday, by the end of the weekend. The Evergreen Conference Center of Oakhurst (ECCO) and The Grove were being treated as part of Cedar Valley, officials said, not the Sky Ranch area as was reported Thursday night.
Seventeen structures have been lost to the blaze, five of them homes, five as historic structures, and seven outbuildings, officials said.
To help expedite the process before returning home, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office will have forms ready for residents to fill out at the Oakhurst substation. Residents will need to provide documentation they live in the evacuated home.
All can be assured that when they return home over the next few days, their homes and communities will already be “re-energized” with power restored, Pacific Gas and Electric Company spokesman Denny Boyles said.
Six injuries have been reportedly suffered by firefighters fighting the blaze, as well as the tragic death of Gary Helming, a battalion chief from Santa Lucia who was killed in a car crash on the way home. His funeral services were held Wednesday.
Residents can call (559) 373-0040 for more information on the Railroad Fire.
Mission Fire stays at 1,035 acres
Firefighters made significant progress overnight to construct control lines into Friday morning on the Mission Fire east of North Fork, officials said, as it remained at 1,035 acres and was now 50% contained.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning that mandatory evacuations in the Cascadel Woods area would be lifted to residents only.
An evacuation advisory south of Road 225 was lifted Thursday afternoon.

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Highway 120 closure lifted in Yosemite National Park following RV fire

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A closure of Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) inside Yosemite National Park was lifted around 11 a.m. Friday after an RV burst into flame the previous afternoon.
The highway was closed from Crane Flat to Highway 140 (El Portal Road) around 3:30 p.m. Thursday when the RV, with no one inside, caught fire near the junction with Foresta and spread into surrounding vegetation.
Yosemite spokeswoman Jamie Richards said the fire grew to 15 acres by Friday afternoon, with no expected additional growth. She said it was being called the Rattlesnake Fire.
Those driving along Highway 120 are asked to use caution and remain vigilant, as firefighters are still working on the blaze.
Highway 41 remains closed from Cedar Valley north of Oakhurst to the line between Madera and Mariposa counties due to the Railroad Fire. Officials said they plan on reopening the highway at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Road conditions in Yosemite National Park are continuously updated and available by dialing (209) 372-0200, then pressing 1, and 1 again.
Three other fires also continue to burn inside the park, forcing smoky skies. Glacier Point Road was closed by Friday morning due to the spread of the Empire Fire.

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As rain pours in Mountain Area, part of Highway 120 temporarily closed in Yosemite

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The portion of Highway 120 that was closed for snow was reopened.
Glacier Point Road remained closed.

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