December 2009

  1. Yosemite timelapse, 12/31/09

    Posted December 31, 2009 - 5:14pm by Yosemite Blog

    Test time lapse footage. 1st 5 sec is a series of jpgs, interval of 2 sec. 2nd clip is normal video. 3rd clip is longer series of jpgs every 2 sec, compressed in Vegas.

  2. Still waiting for a decision: Rainier or Yosemite?

    Posted December 31, 2009 - 3:11pm by Yosemite Blog

    Still waiting for a decision: Rainier or Yosemite?

    JEFFERY P. MAYOR; THE NEWS TRIBUNE
    Published: 12/31/09 12:05 am
    http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/1011571.html

    Dave Uberuaga has the same question for anyone who asks – he’s one day closer to finding out whether he is staying at Yosemite National Park or returning to Mount Rainier.

    Just as quickly, he admits, he doesn’t know when that day is coming.

    Nearly a year into his stint as interim superintendent, Uberuaga is awaiting word on whether he will take over at Yosemite or return to his office outside Ashford. No matter the final decision, Uberuaga said the experience has been a good one, but not without its trials.

    “It’s just a demanding place with millions of visitors, millions of dollars going through there,” he said.

    The park, for example, is renegotiating its concession contract worth about $130 million a year. In comparison, the contract at Mount Rainier nets $5 million. He said the Yosemite summer staff topped 1,000 people for the first time. At Mount Rainier, the number is closer to 200.

    Another comparison is the number of people who visit each park.

  3. Daily Report - Yosemite, Thursday, December 31, 2009, High clouds today with a storm coming in for the New Years....

    Posted December 31, 2009 - 8:05am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Thursday, December 31, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley

    Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. East northeast wind around 6 mph
    becoming calm.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East southeast wind between 6
    and 8 mph.
    New Year's Day: A 40 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with
    a high near 45. South southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.
    Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly
    cloudy, with a low around 30. Light and variable wind.
    Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. East northeast wind around 5
    mph becoming calm.
    Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

    El Portal

    Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind between 5 and 8
    mph becoming calm.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 10 mph.
    New Year's Day: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with
    a high near 57. South southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph.
    Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Light and variable wind.

    Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North northeast wind between 3
    and 9 mph.

  4. Badger Pass Ski Area got 6"'s of fresh light powder on Wend. night and the slopes are perfect powder and packed powder..

    Posted December 31, 2009 - 8:20am by Yosemite Blog

    Badger Pass Ski Area got 6"'s of fresh light powder on Wend. night and the slopes are perfect powder and packed powder. All lifts are running, tubing is open @ $15 per person, per 2-hour session that run from 11:30am to 1:30pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

    The forecast is for partly cloudy skies with a storm coming in tonight and then clear Saturday and Sunday.

    The Glacier Point road is groomed for the 10 miles to the point and reservations can be made to stay in the Glacier Point Hut. The Dewey Point cross country ski trail out the point is well established and te view of Yosemite Valley after the 3 mile ski is spectacular. Snowshoers should leave early as I have come across many returning who never made it to the point, they really should try skis.

  5. Daily Report , Yosemite Wednesday, December 30, 2009, Yosemite Valley has a trace of new snow and chain controls are in effect

    Posted December 30, 2009 - 8:44am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Wednesday, December 30, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley

    Today: Snow. High near 40. West southwest wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance
    of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches
    possible.
    Tonight: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5300 feet. Mostly
    cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance
    of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
    Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Northwest wind between 3 and
    6 mph.
    Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 30. South southwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.
    New Year's Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high
    near 45. South southwest wind between 9 and 11 mph.
    Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29

    El Portal

    Today: Rain. High near 51. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming west
    southwest. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
    Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
    33. East northeast wind between 6 and 9 mph.

  6. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, December 29, 2009

    Posted December 29, 2009 - 8:59am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Tuesday, December 29, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley

    Today: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10am. Cloudy, with a
    high near 40. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
    Tonight: Rain and snow. Low around 34. South southeast wind between 3 and 7
    mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches
    possible.
    Wednesday: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 4800 feet. Cloudy, with a high
    near 40. Southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is
    70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
    Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5300 feet.
    Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph
    becoming east southeast. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
    Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East southeast wind at 5 mph
    becoming west.
    Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 30.

    El Portal

    Today: Cloudy, with a high near 48. Light and variable wind.
    Tonight: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 35. East southeast wind

  7. Ancient Miwok harvested salt

    Posted December 28, 2009 - 2:41pm by Yosemite Blog

    Ancient Miwok harvested salt

    One of the first Native American tribes to move from being hunter-gatherers to traders was the Miwok, and now the evidence of that transition has been found.

    United States Geological Service researchers James Moore and Michael Diggles have located a site halfway between Yosemite and Tahoe where 369 circular basins were once used to distill salt which was then traded for food and other items by the Miwok. Carved in glaciated granitic bedrock in a canyon on the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada, the salt-collecting depressions are a meter-and-a-half across – much bigger than those found in the more plentiful acorn grinding rocks, according to Diggles, and nearly one meter deep.

    The work done by Moore and Diggles indicates that the basins have been laboriously excavated in granodiorite by Native Americans to contain and evaporate water from a nearby salt spring to produce salt as a commodity. Fires built on the granite makes it flake off very readily. By repeating this operation for some time the collection depressions were made.

  8. Yosemite Daily Photo, Moon Rising 12/27/09

    Posted December 28, 2009 - 10:11am by Yosemite Blog

    Today Yosemite has cold temps and clouds with a 20% chance of precipitation with the snow level arond 5,000'. The best chance for new snow is Wednesday and after that it looks clear.

    The photo of Yosemite today shows the moon rising over clouds in the afternoon as you look east into Yosemite Valley from Hwy 120.

    Click on thumbnail: 
    Moon rising over clouds in the afternoon as you look east into Yosemite Valley f

  9. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Monday, December 28, 2009

    Posted December 28, 2009 - 9:18am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Monday, December 28, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley

    Today: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 4700 feet
    rising to 5200 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 42. East wind around 7 mph
    becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
    Tonight: A chance of rain and snow showers before 4am. Snow level 5100 feet
    lowering to 4600 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind. Chance of
    precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Tuesday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 10am. Mostly
    cloudy, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 5
    and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
    Tuesday Night: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 5100 feet. Cloudy, with a
    low around 34. Southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation
    is 70%.
    Wednesday: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 5000 feet. Cloudy, with a high
    near 39. Southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
    Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5500 feet.
    Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

    El Portal

  10. Yosemite National Park, researchers are sprinkling charcoal on the snow,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Posted December 26, 2009 - 2:38pm by Yosemite Blog

    Fast-melting sooty snow may have impact on state's water supply

    At Yosemite National Park, researchers are sprinkling charcoal on the snow to see if they can speed up the opening of park roads in the springtime.

    And several recent studies suggest so-called dirty snow also has implications for the state's water supply.

    The concern is this: Pollution from the Central Valley, Bay Area or Los Angeles blows up into the mountains, where tiny particles of soot come to rest on all that beautiful, white snow.
    Did you know?

    The average snow crystal contains thousands of particles, including soot and dust. The more soot and dust, the darker the crystal. And the darker the crystal, the faster it will melt when exposed to sunlight.

    It might not be visible to the naked eye, but those particles decrease the snow's albedo, or its ability to reflect sunlight. Darker snow absorbs more heat and melts faster, exposing bare ground, which also accelerates melting.

  11. Yosemite Daily Photo, clear skies, frost and warminmg temps

    Posted December 25, 2009 - 2:03pm by Yosemite Blog

    Yosemite today has perfect clear skies with the mornings being very cold, in the 20's. The days are starting to warm up a bit with most of the snow melted on the sunny side(North Side) of Yosemite Valley. On the shady side (South Side) where the sun never shines there is a nice frost build up that makes for some nice photos.

    Look for a possible small storm coming in on Saturday night and then clear skies for most of next week.

     

    Click on thumbnail: 
    Yosemite Valley, 12/25/09
    Frosted tree in Yosemite Valley, 12/25/09

  12. Badger Pass, Yosemite, helmet cam powder tree skiing, 12/22/09

    Posted December 24, 2009 - 2:33pm by Yosemite Blog

  13. Badger Pass Snow Report for 12/22/09

    Posted December 24, 2009 - 1:43pm by Yosemite Blog

  14. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Thursday, December 24, 2009

    Posted December 24, 2009 - 9:44am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Thursday, December 24, 2009

    Yosemite Valley

    Today: Sunny, with a high near 46. East northeast wind between 7 and 10 mph
    becoming calm.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 28. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

    Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 49. East wind around 6 mph becoming
    calm.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind.
    Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming south
    around 5 mph.
    Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 28.

    El Portal

    Today: Sunny, with a high near 59. East northeast wind at 9 mph becoming
    west southwest.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 31. East wind between 3 and 5 mph.
    Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 59. East northeast wind at 5 mph
    becoming west southwest.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind.
    Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south
    around 5 mph.
    Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 31.

    Wawona
    Today: Sunny, with a high near 52. East northeast wind around 5 mph
    becoming calm.

  15. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Wednesday, December 23, 2009

    Posted December 23, 2009 - 3:14pm by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Wednesday, December 23, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: Sunny, with a high near 38. East northeast wind between 6 and 11
    mph.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 19. East wind between 9 and 13 mph.
    Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 41. East northeast wind between 6 and 9
    mph becoming calm.
    Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. East wind between 6 and 9 mph.

    Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 42. East northeast wind around 6 mph
    becoming calm.
    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

    El Portal Area

    Today: Sunny, with a temperature rising to near 57 by noon, then falling to
    around 43 during the remainder of the day. East wind around 6 mph becoming
    west northwest.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 21. East northeast wind between 8 and 11
    mph.
    Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. East northeast wind between 6 and 9
    mph becoming calm.
    Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. East wind between 6 and 8 mph.

    Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 60. East northeast wind around 6 mph
    becoming calm.
    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

    Wawona

  16. Yosemite Daily Photo, A cold, snowy, windy Yosemite Valley.

    Posted December 22, 2009 - 5:43pm by Yosemite Blog

    There was a pretty good little storm that rolled through last night and the snow level dropped to about 3,500' with a couple of inches in Yosemite Valley. Today it cleared out and the strong north wind came in with snow banners on the Valley walls and Half Dome.

    Todays photos are of the wind in Yosemite Valley starting out with the south wall and blowing snow followed by a wind swept Half Dome, taken at 4pm 12/21/09

    Click on thumbnail: 
    Blowing snow on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 12/21/09
    Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, 12/21/09

  17. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, December 22, 2009, couple of inches in Yosemite Valley from last nights storm

    Posted December 22, 2009 - 1:57pm by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Tuesday, December 22, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: A 30 percent chance of snow before 10am. Partly cloudy, with a
    temperature rising to near 36 by noon, then falling to around 28 during the
    remainder of the day. Calm wind becoming west northwest between 8 and 11
    mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 19. East northeast wind between 13 and 17
    mph.
    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 39. East northeast wind 13 to 16 mph
    decreasing to between 5 and 8 mph.
    Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. East northeast wind between
    13 and 15 mph.
    Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 41. East northeast wind between 7 and 11
    mph.
    Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

    El Portal Area
    Today: A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Partly cloudy, with a high
    near 45. West northwest wind between 3 and 11 mph.
    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 20. Northeast wind between 13 and 15 mph.

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. East northeast wind between 11 and
    14 mph becoming light.

  18. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Monday, December 21, 2009

    Posted December 21, 2009 - 9:44am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Monday, December 21, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
    South southwest wind between 13 and 16 mph.
    Tonight: Rain. Snow level 5400 feet lowering to 4900 feet. Low around 29.
    Southwest wind between 10 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
    Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature
    rising to near 35 by noon, then falling to around 22 during the remainder
    of the day. Calm wind becoming west northwest between 10 and 13 mph. New
    snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as
    low as -5. Blustery, with a east northeast wind between 13 and 22 mph.
    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a east northeast wind
    around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
    Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

    El Portal Area
    Today: A 30 percent chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high
    near 58. South southeast wind between 7 and 9 mph.
    Tonight: Rain. Low around 31. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming

  19. ContourHD1080p Comparison Test

    Posted December 20, 2009 - 4:01pm by Yosemite Blog

    Well I think thats it for me. After extreme blur on the right side of my 1st camera and then soft blur on the replacement I am returning it and waiting for the next gen.

    Shootng at full hd 1920x1080 has the blur. Changing to the 1280 mode seems to correct the problem.

    Editing seems to be a problem also as I am using Sony Vegas Platinum 9.b and there is no sound when importing the clip. You have to some tricks to get it to work.

    The files seem very jumpy when editing and it is hard to edit as it takes awhile for Vegas to catch up on the frames when scrubing through.

    My computer is not the problem as i can easily edit the files from my Canon 5D MK2 which produces huge .mov files.

    Below are snapshot comparisons from a ContourHD 1080p, a Panasonic DMC-ZS3,  a old Sony Dv cam Trv22 and a Canon 5D Mk2 (I did this just to see the difference, the Canon is a expensive pro camera and not intended to be compared with the Contour).

    ContourHD 1080p HD setting

    Snapshot from native file, notice blurring on right side of bike and swingarm, this is taken from video where the cam is being held very still. Color is very bad.

  20. Badger Pass Ski Area is Open for the season!

    Posted December 20, 2009 - 9:11am by Yosemite Blog

    Badger Pass Ski Area is Open for the season!

    The snow is great, the weather perfect, and the whole lodge seems to be buzzing with energy for the new season. Come up and join us!

    Call 209-372-8430

    Lifts open 9am to 4pm

  21. Apocalypse Now, Yosemite Big Meadow Fire, 8/26/09

    Posted December 17, 2009 - 2:00pm by Yosemite Blog

    What it was like to live through the Big Meadow Fire, Yosemite 8/26/09

  22. Two Yosemite nonprofits to merge

    Posted December 17, 2009 - 12:40pm by Yosemite Blog

    Two Yosemite nonprofits to merge
    By Paula Lloyd / The Fresno Bee

    Two nonprofit groups that support Yosemite National Park -- the Yosemite Fund and the Yosemite Association -- have announced they are merging.

    The goal is to make it easier to support projects and programs that preserve park resources and enrich the visitor experience, the groups said in a statement released Thursday.

    The two groups said they see benefits from the merger, such as a larger and stronger base of park supporters, additional expertise and resources to improve overall capabilities, and expanded opportunities for supporters to participate in park programs.

    By combining their efforts, the groups "can do more than ever to protect Yosemite," said Hal Cranston, Yosemite Fund chairman.

    Christy Holloway, chairwoman of the Yosemite Association's board, called the merger an "exciting chapter in our proud histories."

    The Yosemite Association was established in 1923 to promote volunteerism and education about the park. The Yosemite Fund began in 1988 to raise funds for projects and education in the park.

  23. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Thursday, December 17, 2009

    Posted December 17, 2009 - 9:33am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Thursday, December 17, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. East wind around 5 mph becoming
    calm.
    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 6 mph
    becoming calm.
    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. East wind between 6 and 8 mph.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind around 9 mph.
    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light east southeast wind.
    Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

    El Portal Area
    Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. East northeast wind around 5 mph
    becoming calm.
    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. East northeast wind between 3
    and 6 mph.
    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind between 4 and 7
    mph becoming calm.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. East northeast wind
    between 3 and 5 mph.
    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Light and variable wind.
    Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36

    Park News

    Yosemite Christmas Bird Count, Sunday December 20. Join tens of thousands

  24. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Wednesday, December 16, 2009

    Posted December 16, 2009 - 1:15pm by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Wednesday, December 16, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    This Afternoon: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy,
    with a high near 48. South wind at 5 mph becoming west. Chance of
    precipitation is 20%.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. East southeast wind between 5
    and 8 mph.
    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. East wind around 5 mph
    becoming calm.
    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming
    east around 5 mph.
    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. East wind between 3 and 5 mph.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

    El Portal Area
    This Afternoon: Cloudy, with a high near 61. Light west southwest wind.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind between 5 and 8
    mph.
    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind around 5 mph
    becoming calm.
    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light and variable
    wind.
    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 6 mph
    becoming calm.
    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

    Happening Today

  25. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, December 15, 2009

    Posted December 15, 2009 - 8:47am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Tuesday, December 15, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South southwest wind around 10
    mph.
    Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
    35. South wind between 7 and 9 mph.
    Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4pm. Mostly
    cloudy, with a high near 43. Southeast wind at 7 mph becoming west
    southwest.
    Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy,
    with a low around 32. Light and variable wind.
    Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. East southeast wind between 5
    and 7 mph.
    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

    El Portal Area
    Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind between 6
    and 10 mph.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind around 8 mph.
    Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4pm. Mostly
    cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind at 8 mph becoming west southwest.
    Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy,
    with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming east between 4 and 7 mph.

  26. Yosemite Video, Vernal Falls, covered in snow, 12/13/09

    Posted December 14, 2009 - 8:37am by Yosemite Blog

  27. Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Monday, December 14, 2009

    Posted December 14, 2009 - 7:42am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Monday, December 14, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. East wind between 6 and 9 mph
    becoming calm.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind between 5 and 8
    mph.
    Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a
    high near 43. South southeast wind between 7 and 9 mph.
    Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 33. South wind around 7 mph.
    Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45.
    Southeast wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.
    Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 34.

    El Portal Area
    Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East northeast wind between 6
    and 9 mph becoming calm.
    Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind between 6 and 9
    mph.
    Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
    Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
    around 31. East southeast wind around 8 mph.
    Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 55.

  28. Yosemite Daily Photo, Vernal Falls and Snow 12/13/09

    Posted December 13, 2009 - 5:10pm by Yosemite Blog

    After a tough slog through the snow today I was rewarded with this spectacular view of Vernal Fall, The Merced River and snow!

    There is several inches of new snow in Yosemite Valley but towards the end of the day it was very wet and melting quick. Lots of dripping from the trees. Hwy 140 is snow free but chains are required on Hwy 41 & 120.

    Click on thumbnail: 
    Vernal Falls, Yosemite 12/13/09

  29. The solution to the people-crush at America's most-loved parks is a combination of lotteries, advance registration and quotas

    Posted December 13, 2009 - 4:42pm by Yosemite Blog

    The solution to the people-crush at America's most-loved parks is a combination of lotteries, advance registration and quotas. Now is the time to get the system wired for 2010.
    Outdoors

    Rangers at the Grand Canyon are the latest to make the move. They will go to a 100 percent online reservation system for camping permits next year with a trailhead quota for backpackers. They will stop providing permits for walk-ups, which rangers say allows locals within easy driving range to monopolize the park. That's good news for those in the Bay Area and Northern California who make the trip.

    Similar forms of quotas and advance reservations are already in place for camping at Yosemite National Park, Mount Whitney, California's state park campgrounds, Mount St. Helens in Washington and several other areas.

  30. Daily Report - Yosemite 11, 2009...rain with snow level at 5,000'

    Posted December 11, 2009 - 11:00am by Yosemite Blog

    Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Weather

    Yosemite Valley
    Today: Showers, mainly before 10am. High near 42. South southwest wind
    between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
    Tonight: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind between 8
    and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
    Saturday: Rain. Snow level 5200 feet. High near 40. South southwest wind
    between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of
    precipitation is 100%.
    Saturday Night: Snow. Snow level 4800 feet. Low around 29. Breezy, with a
    south southwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of
    precipitation is 100%.
    Sunday: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. South southwest
    wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation
    is 70%.
    Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
    24

    El Portal Area
    Today: Showers, mainly before 10am. High near 49. South southeast wind
    around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
    Tonight: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 34. South southeast wind
    between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.