Yosemite Dailiy Report for July 7

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, July 6, 2011   
 
WEATHER  
 
Yosemite Valley 
Today: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. 
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.  Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.  

El Portal
Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. 
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southwest.

 

Wawona 
Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. 
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. 
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

 

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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS  

 

Glacier Point Rockfall, July 1, 2011

At approximately 3:40 a.m. on July 1, 2011, numerous visitors and employees in eastern Yosemite Valley heard a sharp cracking sound, followed by 20-30 seconds of rumbling - the unmistakable sound of a rockfall. 

 

Subsequent investigation revealed the source of the rockfall to be from the upper west (upper right when viewed from Stoneman Meadow) portion of the scar left by the October 8, 2008 rockfall.  The rockfall consisted of a rectangular block approximately 10 m (33 feet) tall, 2.5 m (8 feet) wide, and 1 m (3 feet) thick, for a total volume of about 25 cubic meters; this translates to a weight of about 75 tons.  The block free-fell for about 200 m (660 feet) and landed on the prominent ledge above Curry Village along which the old Ledge Trail traversed.  Rock debris continued down this ledge, but stopped on the talus slope behind Curry Village.  There were no reports of injuries or structural damage associated with this event.

 

A specific triggering mechanism for this rockfall is not known, but the failed block was very likely destabilized by the October 8, 2008 rockfall.  Be aware that rockfall areas can continue to be active for weeks, months, and even years after a major rockfall event. (G. Stock - 7/5)
 

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EMPLOYEE NEWS
Superintendent's Office Detail
Karl Cordova, the Superintendent of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Hohokam-Pima National Monument, will join Yosemite National Park for a two week leadership development detail from July 11 to July 25.  In 2008 and 2009, Karl was a Bevinetto Congressional Fellow in Washington, DC.  Prior to the fellowship, Karl was a Branch Chief at Rocky Mountain National Park responsible for physical natural resources and landscape restoration programs.  Shannon, Karl’s wife, and his two boys Ben and Ryan will join him while he's here.  Please join us in welcoming him!  (K. Kosick - 7/6)
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DOI Access Credentials Updates
DOI Access Credentials must be updated after 3 years - and are good for 5 years. If you've had your card nearly 3 year, you should be receiving (if you haven't already) an email from USAccess advising you that you must update your card. Do not delete this email! Follow the instructions in the email as follows: 1) Go to USAccess and make an appointment (our Credentialing Center is open Tues from 1-4). 2) Bring your credential (DOI Access Card) and your PIN number with you to your update appointment.  Make every effort to remember/find your PIN as this will make updating your card significantly easier. Failure to update your credential before 3 years have passed will void your DOI Access card  - you'll BE REQUIRED to RE-ENROLL & ACTIVATE, as DOI Access Cards are a condition of employment for all perm/term NPS employees.  (If you're a perm/term employee who hasn't received the enrollment email - sit tight until you receive the email and then follow the instructions for enrolling.) (T. Hawkins - 7/6)

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE  
Valley Loop Trail Resurfacing
The Valley Loop Trail will be closed during work hours (8:00am-5:00pm) Mon thru Friday, from Church Bowl to Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Detour signs are in place. This is due to trail resurfacing project. Expected time frame is four weeks starting June 13. (R. Kish - 6/16)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS  

Deron Mills will be the Acting Chief of Fire and Aviation Management from June 30 through July 9th.  He can be reached at 209-379-1902 or on his cell at 209-756-6129. 
Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be Acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and Ecological Restoration July 5-7. 

Don Ramsey will be the Acting Supervisory General Supply Specialist from July 5 - 19. He can be reach at 379-1024.
Rachel Lewis will be acting Wilderness Patrol Supervisor from Wednesday afternoon June 29 through Sunday July 17.  Rachel can be reached at the Wilderness Patrol Office at 372-0360 or by cell phone at (559) 731-1789. General Wilderness questions can be answered by calling the Wilderness Office at (209) 372-0347.
Joe Meyer will be the Acting Deputy Superintendent for the month of July.  Joe can be reached at 379-1219.
Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.
Jim Roche will be acting branch chief of Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology through September 30th.

Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist (PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
For Rent
Townhouse at Aquerdo Con Dios; 5303 Highway 49 N., #13; located in Mariposa; 1200 Sq Feet; 1 Bedroom; 1.5 Bath; perfect for 1 person or couple; monthly rent:  $800.  Beautifully maintained spacious 1 bedroom open loft above living area with walk-in closet, bathroom and private balcony.  Living area has large windows for extra light with custom built shutters for privacy, fireplace, and vaulted ceiling in living room.  Half bath downstairs. Utility area with washer and dryer hook-ups.  Pantry or storage located under stairway.  Conveniently located near pool.  Seasonal stream runs next to townhouse.  Homeowners Association takes care of grounds, pool, water, sewer, and building exterior. Free garbage pick up.   Interior has been painted and loft and stairs have been re-carpeted.  If interested contact Michael or Deborah Jordan at 966-5518. (Y. Radanovich - 7/6)
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For Rent
Two-bedroom mobile home (Midpines), woodstove, swamp cooler, fenced-in yard.  $700/month.  Available 8/1/11.  Contact D Hales 379-1086. (Y. Radanovich - 7/6)
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For Rent
11x13 bedroom and private bath with shower/tub available for $400 mo. incl. utilities. Mature Christian woman wanted to share 3 bedroom 2 bath home in a freshly remodeled furnished manufactured home with an effective swamp cooler (men need not apply). Located 30 miles West of El Portal and 4 miles off Hwy 140 on E. Whitlock between Mariposa and Midpines. Contact Meredy Wells 209-742-2003 meredywells@gmail.com. (M. Wells - 7/6)