Yosemite Daily Report for Feb 27

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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, February 27, 2012

WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. 
Wednesday: Snow showers. High near 35. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
El Portal 
Today: Rain and snow showers likely before 4pm, then a chance of snow showers. Snow level 2600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: A chance of snow showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 2300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. 
Wednesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wawona
Today: Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. 
Wednesday: Rain and snow showers likely. Snow level 4200 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Crane Flat Store Closed During Hwy 120 Closure *Revised
Crane Flat Store will be closed as of Feb 29 due to Big Oak Flat Road closure and will continue to be closed until notice that the Big Oak Flat Road has reopened.  Gas will be available by pay at the pump with credit cards only. (K. Prichard)

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St. Patrick’s Day Shuttle
Ethos Youth Center will once again be providing a shuttle service from El Portal to the Canyon Bar and Grill (and back) on St. Patrick’s Day.  The shuttle will run from 7pm-2am and will stop at the Community Hall, the bottom of Rancheria, and at the NPS warehouse.  Tickets cost $5 and will be available at Sal’s on March 8th, at the YEA Irish dinner on the 17th, and on the shuttle. All proceeds will benefit Ethos Youth Center in Mariposa.  Ethos is a revolution of youth that is a catalyst for justice and social change. Visit www.ethosmariposa.org to learn more information!  Thanks to YEA and El Portal Dining for supporting this fundraiser!  If you have any questions, please contact ethosyouth5@gmail.com, alison@mcs4you.org, or call 209.742.5865.  (A. Tudor)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 2/27
Base Depth: No depth submitted: "The conditions on the slopes are excellent, the base area is fair to good conditions."
Snow Conditions: Machine groomed and packed powder. Spring conditions.
Forecast: 60% chance of snow
Temperature: High 31 Low 18
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit, Badger, Red Fox, Chipmunk
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
XC trail snow conditions: Groomed from Badger Pass to Bridalveil Campground on Saturday morning. Teaching area groomed 2/27. There are some areas on the road with bare spots.
Tubing Hill: No tubing; need more snow. (E. Fraley)

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RECENT NEWS 
Government Housing Rates Update
We have great news for employees residing in government housing in El Portal and the Valley! Based on the hard work of park staff, community members, and Mariposa County, the census information effecting housing rates has been adjusted by the U.S. Census Bureau in our favor. The U.S. Census Bureau was able to adjust the boundary of Mariposa to fit the community more appropriately. We are very happy to receive this news during such a difficult economic time.

As many of you know, government housing rental rates were due to increase on March 11, 2012. The 2012 rental rates for Yosemite Valley and El Portal housing areas were calculated based upon using Mariposa as the Nearest Established Community (NEC). Residents of these areas were either no longer eligible for an isolation deduction or the isolation deduction was reduced based on the miles to Mariposa instead of Oakhurst.

We are pleased to announce we have received official correspondence from the U.S. Census Bureau that the Census Bureau and Mariposa County have agreed to amend the boundary for Mariposa. This boundary change required a revised population count. Under the amended boundary, the revised 2010 population of Mariposa is 1,449. A Nearest Established Community (NEC) must have a population of 1,500. Therefore, because of this new information, the Housing Management Office will recalculate the 2012 rents for El Portal and Yosemite Valley tenants using Oakhurst as the NEC.

As a result, the rental rate increase will not be as drastic as expected. The Housing Management Office is working to compute the final amended rental rates for 2012. Amended 2012 rent notices will be mailed to those affected by this recent update. The revised rents will be effective no later than March 25, 2012.
All other 2012 rents will still go into effect March 11, 2012 as scheduled.

The Executive Leadership Team is working hard to improve morale on all levels. Employee morale is very important to us and we are glad things worked out in our favor. Again, we want to send a special thank you to Mariposa County for working with the Park Service to make this happen!

Don Neubacher
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS 

Roger Farmer will the be the acting Superintendent's Office Chief of Staff from Fri. 2/24 - Thur. 3/8. Roger can be reached at 379-1079.
Tom Darcy will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from 2/24 - 3/1. He may be reached at 379-1076.
Gene Smith will be acting Roads & Trails Branch Chief 2/22/12 through 3/13/12 while Lou Summerfield is out of the park. He can be reached at 379-1120.
Madelyn Ruffner (379-1226) is on a 120-day detail as Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program Manager. Madelyn may be found at her regular desk location in the EPC Trailer. Elexis Mayer (379-1377) has temporarily moved to the Planning Trailer to continue her work on the Merced River Plan. For further assistance, you may also contact Jessica Zeek (379-1002), Administrative Support Assistant for Environmental Planning and Compliance.
Jack Hoeflich will be acting Valley District Ranger until further notice.
Andy Fristensky will be Acting Deputy Chief of Interpretive Operations until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0599.
Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Yosemite Valley Field Interpretation Supervisor until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0307.
Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1074.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.

Winter finally arrives in time for extended President's Day weekend

Winter finally arrives in the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite area

Oakhurst, CA. – Many have been wondering where winter had gone to, but it’s finally shown its face in the Yosemite and Sierra Nevada region.

Snow fell as low as nearly 2000 feet in Madera County, known as California’s Gateway to Yosemite. At the Yosemite Sierra Visitor Center in Oakhurst, a few inches coated the ground of the building, offering a glimpse of the recreation opportunities that await President’s Day Weekend travelers. 

“A lot of people have been coming out because the weather is so nice, but may others have been waiting for this snow,” said Jarrod Lyman with the visitors bureau. “They’ve wanted to hit the slopes up at Badger Pass, or go snowmobiling in the Sierra National Forest. Now they can,” he said.

The snow came at a perfect time as many people will be enjoying a three-day weekend thanks to President’s Day, which is observed Monday, Feb. 15 this year. Snow play areas near Yosemite and the Sierra National Forest around Bass Lake make for perfect trips for families looking to get their winter fill.

“It’s absolutely beautiful this time of year, and there aren’t as many people during the winter. It’s a great time to visit Yosemite and the gateway communities,” Lyman said.

Anyone that is currently in the snow and looking for respite has options here as well.

“Our valley communities of Madera and Chowchilla make the perfect retreat for those looking to get out of the snow. They can explore the Madera Wine trail, visit the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla and enjoy some amazing restaurants specializing in local ingredients .” 

Many lodging properties, restaurants and more are offering various deals and other travel incentives. Visit www.Yosemitethisyear.com then click the “specials” link for discounts.

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No snow? No problem! Plenty to see in Yosemite

Jarrod Lyman
Director of Media
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
(559) 683-4636

No snow? No problem

Oakhurst, CA. – A surprising lack of snow in Yosemite National Park has opened up some unique travel opportunities for people looking for a quick winter getaway.

Perhaps the most exciting opportunity for travelers is the fact that the Tioga Road in Yosemite is still open, something quite rare this time of year.

“Tioga Road, while offering some beautiful views of Yosemite’s country, is a seasonal road. This is the first time that a lot of people can remember it still being open in December. The result is people getting a rare chance to take in the high country beauty during the winter,” said Jarrod Lyman, Director of PR with the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau.

Travelers can still visit iconic spots in the park like Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia, Glacier Point and even Tenaya Lake.

“We’ve heard of people ice skating on the lake there, so it’s really something quite special,” Lyman said.

Tourism officials also report that just because there isn’t any snow doesn’t mean there are no winter activities.

“Ice skating at places like Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp or Curry Village in Yosemite Valley are popular activities right now, and people are having a blast with it,” Lyman said.

Add in the fact that motorists don’t have to worry about chain controls going in to effect as sometimes happens during the winter, and people are finding the lack of precipitation a good excuse to make a special trip to the Yosemite region. 

Vacation Planning

There are many options for lodging, dining and other activities in and around Yosemite. To start planning  your vacation and to book your room, go to www.YosemiteThisYear.com.

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