Sierra Mountain Lodge - Yosemite

Tourism Officials: No Crowds, Lots of Safeguards at Yosemite This Summer

sierranewsonline.com OAKHURST – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the National Park Service to make adjustments to

Sierra News Online

https://sierranewsonline.com/man-who-died-saturday-after-jumping-into-bass-lake-idd/
Sierra News Online extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends!

Yosemite National Park

In accordance with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health authorities, Yosemite National Park will continue to incrementally increase recreational access. Beginning June 11, the park will open all the primary attractions to some extent and visitors will be able to enter Yosemite in a multitude of ways. Visitors will be invited to enjoy 800 miles of park trails and popular destinations including Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy.

"There is no place like Yosemite, and we can't wait to welcome visitors back," said Acting Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. "It's going to be a different kind of summer, and we will continue to work hand in hand with our gateway communities to protect community health and restore access to Yosemite National Park."

To increase park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with health guidelines, Yosemite National Park will implement a temporary day use reservation system. In the initial opening phase, the system will offer 1700 vehicle passes each day. Passes are to be validated at the park entrance gate on the reservation date and can be used for 7 days of entry. These day use vehicle reservations will go on sale through Recreation.gov beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The day use vehicle reservations system will no longer be used when the park resumes regular operations.

Visitors with a camping or concession-operated lodging reservation, wilderness or Half Dome permit, vacation rental inside the park, and visitors entering via the local public transit system (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS buses)) or with a tour from one of the local businesses that have Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) will not require a day use reservation for park entry and will also have access to the park beginning on June 11. In this initial phase, the park’s target is to allow approximately 50 percent of the average June vehicle entry rate (which equates to 3,600 vehicle entries each day). The park will monitor conditions daily and will make adjustments as needed to maintain safe conditions for visitors.

For more details, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm.

Beginning June 11, overnight camping will be available in Yosemite Valley. Beginning June 13 lodging provided by Yosemite Hospitality will be open. Retail and food and beverage services will be available, and the park’s visitor center services will be moved outdoors to provide information and education programs. Some facilities and services that have been offered in the past will not be possible this year due to the pandemic. Shuttle buses, High Sierra Camps, and Housekeeping Camp will not open this year. Additional services may be available as conditions warrant.

Visitors who already have wilderness permits or Half Dome permits for trips in Yosemite National Park were able to enter the park beginning on Friday, June 5, 2020. Visitors are required to present a physical copy of their wilderness permit at the park entrance gate and are asked to follow recommended CDC social distancing guidelines to ensure a safe wilderness experience.

We ask visitors to recreate responsibly by following local area health orders, maintaining social distance and avoiding high-risk outdoor activities. Please do not visit if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19. Park staff will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Keep your distance. Give others plenty of room whether you are on a trail or in a parking lot. If staying at least six feet from others is not possible, wear a cloth face covering as recommended by the CDC.

Keep it with you. If you brought it, take it with you. Trash pickup and restroom facilities will continue to be limited in many park areas. Follow Leave No Trace principles.

Know your limits. Yosemite National Park is one of the busiest search and rescue parks in the country. Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. During the ongoing health crisis, it is critical to make wise choices to keep our national park rangers and first responders out of harm’s way.

Protect wildlife. Obey speed limits and be aware of wildlife. During the closure, due to lack of vehicular traffic, park rangers have observed more wildlife congregating adjacent to or on internal park roads.

Details and updates on park operations and services will continue to be posted on the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/yose.

News release: www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/yosemite-national-park-continues-a-phased-reopening-on-thursday-june-11-2020.htm

NPS Public Health Update (U.S. National Park Service)

The National Park Service Office of Public Health and the US Public Health Service is closely monitoring the situation related to the outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19). In accordance with CDC guidance and other federal, state, and local health authorities, visitors can be assured that facilities in national parks, including lodges and restaurants, continue to maintain high standards related to the health and wellness of staff and visitors.

Yosemite National Park and all seasonal facilities remain open.

More information, updates, and links to specific information about parks can be found at https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/public-health-update.htm

nps.gov The National Park Service (NPS) strives to ensure the safety of its visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners. When the NPS is responding to an ongoing public health incident, this page will provide timely updates about NPS response activities and links to specific information about parks that m...

Badger Pass Ski Area

⛷ Hello from Badger Pass. Yesterday was perfect for skiing and snowboarding with clear blues skies and great machine groomed powder. Could there be more fresh powder today? Looks like there is a slight chance of snow coming in today so be prepared and happy skiing.

Sierra Mountain Lodge - Yosemite

Photos from Sierra Mountain Lodge - Yosemite's post

Yosemite to Waive Entrance Fees for Veterans Day

sierranewsonline.com YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK -- In honor of Veterans Day, Yosemite National Park will offer free

Aurora Borealis Observatory

The natural Firefall is one of Yosemite National park’s most amazing spectacles

@markian.b (IG)

Yosemite National Park

Thinking about hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall? Be prepared to get soaked! This is what conditions were like on the granite steps this past Wednesday, June 19th.
There is so much mist coming off of Vernal Fall that it feels like it's raining! Many visitors are choosing to pause before this wet section to put away valuables and put on rain gear. Plan ahead for the wet conditions by packing for your comfort level to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable hike. Some ideas for things to bring for this extremely wet section include: quick dry clothing, rain jacket, rain pants, waterproof shoes and/or dry socks, change of clothes, a dry bag for valuables, and a small towel.

The granite steps along the Mist Trail leading up to the brink of Vernal Fall can be very slick and crowded. Consider making your hike a loop by continuing on the trail, past the brink of Vernal Fall and Emerald Pool, taking the cutoff trail to Clark Point, and then hiking down the John Muir Trail. Taking this route provides beautiful views from different perspectives of both Vernal and Nevada Falls. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/vernalnevadatrail.htm

Yosemite National Park

Thinking about hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall? Be prepared to get soaked! This is what conditions were like on the granite steps this past Wednesday, June 19th.
There is so much mist coming off of Vernal Fall that it feels like it's raining! Many visitors are choosing to pause before this wet section to put away valuables and put on rain gear. Plan ahead for the wet conditions by packing for your comfort level to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable hike. Some ideas for things to bring for this extremely wet section include: quick dry clothing, rain jacket, rain pants, waterproof shoes and/or dry socks, change of clothes, a dry bag for valuables, and a small towel.

The granite steps along the Mist Trail leading up to the brink of Vernal Fall can be very slick and crowded. Consider making your hike a loop by continuing on the trail, past the brink of Vernal Fall and Emerald Pool, taking the cutoff trail to Clark Point, and then hiking down the John Muir Trail. Taking this route provides beautiful views from different perspectives of both Vernal and Nevada Falls. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/vernalnevadatrail.htm

Mono County Tourism - California's Eastern Sierra

Views from Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park today! 💦

Al Jazeera English

‘I can’t believe I just did that’: A 10-year-old American girl has become the youngest person to climb to the summit of El Capitan, a huge rock formation in Yosemite National Park in the US state of California.

2019 Fire Season Declared in Yosemite National Park

goldrushcam.com 2019 Fire Season Declared in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Spring runoff is still going strong. As you enjoy the thunder of the waterfalls and the roar of the rivers, stay back from moving water and be aware that even dry rocks are slick. All this runoff is a result of melting snow, yet there is still plenty of snow above about 7,000 feet. If hiking in snowy areas, you will not be able to find or follow most trails; be prepared to navigate by map and compass (even if you have a GPS).

Yosemite National Park

Rivers and creeks are running high, and they are beautiful... but deadly. Please be sure to keep back from swiftly flowing water. Be aware that wet rock can be surprisingly slick. Most people who end up rescued or recovered from the river didn't intend to go in.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

IT'S SPRING IN THE MOUNTAINS (FINALLY) AND THE "MOONLIGHT SPECIAL" IS BACK!

For a truly memorable evening, join us on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad's "Moonlight Special." This family favorite for more than 40 years begins with a barbecue dinner at the depot featuring a choice of New York steak, chicken breast, or a vegetarian option. Children under 7 are served a hot dog or chicken tender meal.

Dinner is followed by a train ride through the forest to the Lewis Creek Canyon Amphitheater, where you’ll take a seat around the campfire to enjoy folk songs, oldies, comedy, and a sing-along with Sugar Pine, an acoustic string ensemble. When the whistle blows, it’s time to return to the train for a nighttime ride back to the depot.

Adults are $63.00; ages 7-12 are $36.00; and ages 3-6 $29.00. The train runs every Saturday evening through September 28 and every Wednesday evening through August 28.

"Moonlight Special" evenings begin at 6:30 pm in May, June and July; 6:00 pm in August; and 5:30 pm in September. Reservations are recommended. Tickets are still available for this Wednesday, June 5th!

Yosemite National Park

Hello blue skies! Today has been a beautiful day in Yosemite and some of our visitors have been taking advantage of the sunny weather by cycling. Did you know Yosemite Valley has over 12 miles of paved bike paths? Cycling is a great way to experience the park and allows you to cover more ground during your time here. You can bring your own bike into the park or rent a bike from the Yosemite Valley Lodge or Half Dome Village. Hand-crank and tandem bicycles are also available for rent.

Pick up a copy of the park map or newspaper at the entrance station or visitor center and check out the map of all the cycling trails. Keep in mind bicycles are only permitted on paved bicycle paths and roadways. Be a friend to other visitors and let them know when you are passing them. Remember to put safety first by wearing the proper gear, like a helmet and high visibility clothing, ride single file, and stay to the right and ride with traffic (including on bike paths). If riding on regular roads cyclists must obey traffic laws.

More information about rentals is available at https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/biking/

Glacier Point Road Reopens To Traffic In Yosemite

sierranewsonline.com YOSEMITE - Yosemite National Park officials have announced that, as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday,

Yosemite National Park

Glacier Point Road opened earlier today and will remain open until 6 pm on Saturday, May 25. At that time, it will close due to an incoming storm. We will evaluate the road once conditions improve.

Expect cloudy conditions at Glacier Point (we don't have a current photo because the view became cloudy this afternoon). Additionally, expect all trails leaving from the road to be snowy.

This storm may also result in chain requirements on park roads. If you encounter a "chains required sign," do not proceed unless you have chains in possession or installed (depending on what the sign indicates). Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check on road status.

Visit Yosemite Madera County

By now just about everyone knows that the big waterfalls in Yosemite are booming, but did you know there are many others in the area worth checking out? Here's a short list of 5 lesser known ones in or near Yosemite we recommend seeing. http://bit.ly/306MI9j #waterfalls

Glacier Point Road In Yosemite To Open This Week

sierranewsonline.com YOSEMITE - Yosemite National Park will open the Glacier Point Road to all vehicular traffic

Yosemite National Park

Road crews are working on Tioga Road about one mile west of White Wolf in about eight feet of snow. That's too deep for the rotary plows, so a dozer goes out ahead to remove some snow so the rotary plows can get to work.

More frequent updates are available at https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm.

Imperfect Foods

Check out this amazing company!!https://m.facebook.com/imperfectproduce/

Delivering groceries on a mission to eliminate food waste & build a better food system for everyone. Head to our website to see if we deliver to you!

Yosemite National Park

It's road plowing season in Yosemite! While road crews have made it to Glacier Point, much work remains before the Glacier Point Road can open (there is no estimate yet).

Meanwhile, crews working on Tioga Road have plowed several miles from Tuolumne Grove (near Crane Flat), with snow depths around five to seven feet.

We'll have regular updates here, but may provide more frequent updates at https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm.

Miller's Landing Bass Lake

Good News....Miller’s now has Online Ordering for the Restaurant! Place your order from our website, choose your arrival time, pay online and go straight to the pick up counter when you get here! It’s like a Fast Pass to the front of the line. As always we also deliver to the dock! #yum #millerslanding #basslakeca #basslake

Mariposa Grove Opens Soon, Free Visitor Shuttle Resumes Service

sierranewsonline.com YOSEMITE -- The Mariposa Grove Road will reopen to automobiles on Friday, Apr. 12, officials

Collect Trading Cards To Win An Adventure In Yosemite

sierranewsonline.com MOUNTAIN AREA -- They are fast, tough, smart, sweet, sneaky, showy, social and definitely loud

WingsByWerntz

Aerial photo shot from my Cessna 182 of the hills NE of I-15 near Lake Elsinore. Buy a print, mouse pad, mug, etc of this pic at https://wingsbywerntz.smugmug.com/Superbloom-Poppies-2019/i-dphWgVQ/A
#poppies #californiapoppies #cessna #aerialphotography

U.S. Department of the Interior

Some of the first park rangers in America, weren’t rangers at all. They were Buffalo Soldiers -- African Americans who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. They got their famous nickname from Cheyenne warriors, who likened their dark curly hair to that of buffalo hides. From 1899 to 1904, they were among the first people to work in Yosemite, Yellowstone and Sequoia national parks -- more than 10 years before the creation of the National Park Service. These dedicated men protected wildlife from poaching, put out wildfires, built trails, roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and forged a proud legacy in our nation’s history. Celebrate them for Black History Month.

Visit Yosemite Madera County

From Yosemite National Park. They have announced that the 2019 preseason lottery for Half Dome permits will be delayed this year due to a transition to a new contracted provider. The preseason lottery typically opens on March 1. For the latest information on the status of the Half Dome preseason lottery, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm. No date is yet determined on when the preseason lottery will open.

All hikers are required to have permits to ascend the subdome steps and the Half Dome cables seven days a week when the cables are up. Park Rangers install the Half Dome cables each spring and take them down each fall, based on weather and trail conditions. The cables are typically up from late May to early October.

All day use hiking permits are distributed by lottery via Recreation.gov, with the preseason lottery in the spring and daily lotteries during the hiking season. During the preseason lottery, 225 permits are available for each day that the cables are up. To include Half Dome as part of an overnight wilderness trip please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdwildpermits.htm.

All visitors planning to apply for permits to climb the Half Dome Cables are strongly encouraged to thoroughly read all information posted on Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome page and the “Cables on Half Dome” page managed by Recreation.gov, https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652, as there have been some new changes to the application process. The most accurate information will be posted on both the Yosemite National Park webpage and on Recreation.gov.