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Post by thedude on Apr 14, 2023 15:36:00 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 15, 2023 12:52:00 GMT -8
I’m not certain of the floods. That can depend on the rate of snowmelt which is pretty independent of the snowpack depth. Depth has the more predictable result of extending the duration of snowmelt season (Mammoth has extended their ski season through to the end of July): snow is a very efficient (90.%, it’s why such places as under your nose fry when you snow hike) reflector of sunlight and a tremendous insulator ( igloos and snow caves get actually balmy for that reason, think down sleeping bags but instead of feathers there’s snowflakes holding the air from moving). So the rate of melt is sort of constant absent a rain event. The bad thing that triggers floods would be a prolonged warm rainfall at high elevations: that’s the conditions that so dramatically flooded the Valley during a January 1997 rainstorm before a full snowpack was even present, but there was enough that when it all melted from the rain the results were catastrophic. Without that sort of rain what we’ll more likely see is just snow camping and post hiking far into July. Oh, yes, peak flow does mean some riverside sites prone to high water at some valley campgrounds will open later, I’d expect the trail out of Pate Valley to be a wade for much longer and unbridged crossings to be hazards for longer as well. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/unbridged-creek-crossings.jpg“View a map showing unbridged stream crossings. (Unbridged stream crossings are at Blue Jay Creek, Chilnualna Creek, Delaney Creek, Dingley Creek, Falls Creek (Jack Main Canyon), Falls Creek (North of Wilma Lake), Falls Creek (Outlet of Vernon Bridged), Frog Creek (All Crossings), Gravelly Ford, Illilouette Creek, Inlet of Washburn Lake, Kerrick Canyon, Kibbie Creek, Lyell Fork of the Merced, Matterhorn Creek, Morrison Creek, Register Creek, Return Creek, Ribbon Creek, Stubblefield Canyon, Tamarack Creek, Tenaya Creek, Twin Bridges near Glen Aulin (Bridged), Unnamed Outlet of Smedberg Lake, Wapama Falls (Bridged), Wildcat Creek.)” I see a couple of those on my routes, luckily in August so we’ll see. And the Register bridge is blown out again. That may be the third one…
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Post by thedude on Apr 15, 2023 13:17:32 GMT -8
Yeah, I will be visiting in August so hopefully there will not be issues with flooding by then.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 15, 2023 13:49:22 GMT -8
It’s why I shifted my summer visit later. July 26 onward with my longer/higher route towards the Lyell fork of the Merced headwaters firmly in August.
Now to dodge the fires….
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Post by dayhiker on Apr 22, 2023 10:35:44 GMT -8
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Post by hikerchick395 on Apr 25, 2023 8:53:55 GMT -8
looks like this one
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Post by thedude on Apr 25, 2023 15:05:33 GMT -8
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Post by thedude on Apr 27, 2023 15:33:27 GMT -8
Not a surprise given its close proximity to Yosemite, but sections of Sequoia-Kings Canyon also have 300% of typical snowfall. This post gives some insight into how they estimate the amount of water from the snow pack. http://instagr.am/p/CrgSMgdvsLs
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 29, 2023 13:07:22 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 30, 2023 9:51:19 GMT -8
In considering things I’m going to be interested in what this extraordinary amount of snow and runoff does for the amount of road maintenance necessary to reopen roads such as Tioga and SR 108; the big weight of snow could be responsible for more than normal amounts of tree and rockfall for instance. And dealing with such debris embedded in the snow greatly slows down operations, as of course will the far larger snow depth loom as a larger avalanche hazard above places like the Olmsted Point zone: always a nasty challenge even in far more normal years.
Interestingly they’ve already completed snow blowing operations on Glacier Point Rd.
“ Tioga Road
April 28, 2023 (updated every Friday)
The avalanche team has been traveling the road by snowcat has begun to mitigate avalanche zones. More equipment is being hauled up to begin work.
Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.
Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.
Glacier Point Road
April 28, 2023
Crews have reached Glacier Point. Blowers are done working on Glacier Point Road and are moving up to Tioga Road.
Glacier Point Road opening will not open until July, 2023, due to road construction that must be completed prior to the road opening (in addition to record snowpack). Expect 30-minute delays once Glacier Point Road opens. Until the road opens, Glacier Point Road is closed to all entry, including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Glacier Point Road is typically open to vehicles from sometime in May until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.”
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 20, 2023 13:19:02 GMT -8
They did their Friday update and mentioned the crews are 3 miles west of White Wolf: with 8 to 11 FEET of snow[/i].
Memorial Day opening looking a tad grim. 😎😎😎
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Post by dayhiker on May 30, 2023 16:54:44 GMT -8
I got drenched trying to hike up to Vernal Falls, did not make it that far, I think I was almost there, after allot of steps, the path went around some rocks and it seemed like a wall of water, I turned around as my pants were totally drenched surprised they dried out.
Yosemite falls will give you a shower, but just right where you view it, from a bridge if I remember.
The lady at the info center said Nevada was where there is a wall of water wonder what that looks like.
1 mile back up trying to get into the park as I left Wanona south bound to Bass Lake.
Rivers in places look like crazy whitewater runs, trees in standing water in others, foot bridge out. Still nice day in the valley.
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I remember being able to drive to the grove of trees near my car camp, but it was a 2 mile hike in, even the shuttle was out, hole in the road I was told.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 30, 2023 20:38:23 GMT -8
dayhikerBass Lake? I’ve been eyeing some of the Sierra NF campgrounds there and along Beasore road as a bookend to some park backpacking: any opinions?
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Post by dayhiker on May 30, 2023 21:21:09 GMT -8
Party Lake, somewhat buggy at dusk(so was Wanona sp) , hotter than Yosemite ,little shade, I did not drive into park from there, but with an early start might be ok. I think I would choose Curry Village, even though that is a zoo, no worries about parking once you are there, take shuttle etc. I had a shower there (Bass Lake) got ice, did not eat at the lake I had plenty of other food, and did not seem that interesting on my side of the lake. Lots of campgrounds, I was at SPRING COVE All the camps I was in away from the coast were buggy, not bad at first, but they gather, and I would retreat into tent or car etc. Oakhurst is not far but did not eat there either, went through in morning People were quiet during quiet hours. Edit I guess you are aware there is a place for backpackers in the valley, to start or end your hike, not sure it is open did not see anyone there, foot bridge was out. I did it decades ago, and my hike did not actually start or end there, it was quite nice. Just one day though if I remember right. I walked through it , bigger than I remember wonder if they moved it, from breakfast at awhahee (sp?) to hike vernal.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 31, 2023 7:12:30 GMT -8
Thanks!
Yes I’m aware if the valley options and I’ve got some Curry bookings in between my three routes so I’m looking at out of the August valley heat (it’s been awhile since I’d spent time in the valley so I added it in) for after my backpacking and Beasore rd and Sierra NF has long been in my list. Though if Yosemite Creek or Porcupine are available I might be tempted. Though Beasore would be on the way if I decide to poke at Sequoia Kings Canyon….
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