Yosemite National Park still shows remnants of winter

While much of Southern California should be enjoying dry days and warm temperatures during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, those heading to higher elevations -- specifically Yosemite National Park -- will likely still be contending with remnants of winter, including facility and road closures in some areas.

"It may be spring in Fresno or L.A., but it's not quite like that here," park spokeswoman Kari Cobb told Times Daily Travel and Deal blogger Mary Forgione.

Glacier Point Road will be open to traffic beginning noon Friday, but park officials said that the 32 miles from Yosemite Valley to the scenic overlook at Glacier Point could close any time if a spring snowstorm kicks up. There will also be no running water at the point, and nearby Bridalveil Creek Campground is closed.

Meanwhile, Tioga Road (Highway 120), the main access to Tuolumne Meadows and the park's backcountry, remains closed because of snow, ice and avalanche dangers, officials said.

Despite this, Yosemite is expected to be busy for the holiday weekend. Forgione has more information, including tips on dealing with the crowds, in her post: Yosemite National Park: Glacier Point Road opens Friday; chilly Memorial Day weekend predicted

-- Kelly Burgess
Twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Snow-covered Tuolumne Meadows as seen last Friday. Credit: Mono County Public Works Department

 

Yosemite National Park reopens with limited services

Some roads into Yosemite National Park reopened Thursday morning, pending weather and safety along the highways.

The park is open to visitors until 7 p.m. this evening, and reservations for rooms will be honored.

Yosemite should expand services to the public beginning Friday, contingent upon the weather -- a winter storm warning remains in effect until Friday morning. The park anticipates returning to full operations by Monday.

Times Daily Travel and Deal blogger Mary Forgione has more details on her post: Yosemite National Park: Roads partly reopen; lodgings expected to open Friday

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

RELATED:

Yosemite roads remain closed; power outages likely until Saturday

All roads into Yosemite temporarily closed

Photo: Lower Yosemite Fall in Yosemite National Park from Cooks Meadow, during a break in the snowstorm that has shut down the area since Sunday. Credit: Kari Cobb / National Park Service

Yosemite roads remain closed; power outages likely until Saturday

As of Wednesday afternoon, all roads leading into Yosemite National Park remain closed due to snow, ice, mudslides, fallen trees and downed power lines, and power outages are affecting most buildings and services within the park.

"At this point we are hoping to have the roads open completely by the weekend, but at that point will likely still have limited services because PG&E [Pacific Gas & Electric] is estimating that we won’t receive power until Saturday," Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb told Outposts.

Cobb added that areas being powered by backup generators are spotty at best. "None of the guest rooms at Yosemite Lodge or Curry Village have power, nor the residential housing. The Ahwahnee has a couple of rooms on generator. The Visitor Center is open but the museum is not; the grocery store is open but the deli’s not. Those things that do have generators will be open but a lot of it doesn’t, so a lot won’t be open."

When the roads closed Monday, about 600 visitors were in park. Of those, approximately 450 guests decided to leave the park voluntarily Monday afternoon. Cobb said that anyone who wanted to stay could, but that "we aren’t allowing any more visitors into the park at this point, and are reassessing conditions on a daily basis."

DNC Parks & Resorts, the reservation service for Yosemite, and campground reservationists are contacting guests with upcoming bookings about 48 hours in advance to let them know that they have had to cancel their requests. Currently, no reservations are due into the park until Friday. 

For 24-hour information about roads within the park, call (209) 372-0200; for roads outside of Yosemite, contact Caltrans at (800) 427-7623.  For information about reservations and accommodations, call (801) 559-4884.

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

RELATED:

All roads into Yosemite temporarily closed

Photo: Upper Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park during a break in the snowstorm that has shut down the area since Sunday. Credit: Kari Cobb / National Park Service

All roads into Yosemite temporarily closed

All roads leading into Yosemite National Park are temporarily closed due to snow, ice, mudslides, fallen trees and downed power lines.

According to a park press release, the storm that moved through dumped more than 3-1/2 feet of snow during a 24-hour period in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Crane Flat, and approximately nine inches in El Portal.

Highways 41 (Wawona Road), 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) and 140 (El Portal Road) into Yosemite are currently closed due to snowy and icy conditions, and Caltrans has temporarily closed Highway 140 outside of the park boundary between El Portal and Mid Pines due to mudslides, rockfall, fallen trees and downed power lines. The Badger Pass Road and the Hetch Hetchy Road are also closed.

Road conditions will continue to be assessed throughout the day. For 24-hour information about roads within the park, call (209) 372-0200; for roads outside of Yosemite, contact Caltrans at (800) 427-7623.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: More than 3-1/2 feet of snowfall has closed roads into Yosemite National Park. Credit: National Park Service

Outdoor Life magazine introduces Outdoor Life Survival website

Outdoor Life magazine recently announced the launch of Outdoor Life Survival, a new website chock-full of informative and possibly useful topical survival news, advice and tips for outdoorsmen, travelers and urban dwellers.

With more than 20 years experience studying survival skills and primitive technologies, survival expert and instructor Tim MacWelch -- the site's lead contributor -- will share strategies on all aspects of sustaining oneself in the wild through photo galleries, videos and how-to guides, as well as frequent postings to the site's new Survivalist blog.

Outdoor Life Survival's content is divided into five sections, designed to provide ideas and solutions for almost any survival situation:

Wilderness, focusing on classic outdoor and wildlife dangers, including surviving animal attacks and bites, extreme weather and finding safe wild food sources;

Urban, which addresses skills such as burglar-proofing a home, freeing a stuck car from ice or mud and creating a family emergency plan;

Conflict, offering tips on staying safe abroad and protecting yourself in dangerous situations;

Disasters, which focuses on preparing for and surviving hurricanes, floods, blizzards and other natural catastrophes;

Gear, a resource for the best in survival essentials such as knives, watches, food and survival kits.

"The essential skills for survival are no longer just the purview of those who love the outdoors," said Todd Smith, editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life magazine. "With unpredictable weather, global unrest and even the increasing congestion in our cities, the tactics that have long kept outdoorsmen safe are of interest to a general audience. OL Survival channels the expertise of top survivalists into tips anyone can use to be prepared and stay safe, whether they're on a wilderness adventure or close to home."

Other features of the site include a forum where visitors can post questions and receive answers from Outdoor Life experts and fellow online members, and a gallery offering readers the opportunity to share their survival tales and photos.

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Image courtesy of Outdoor Life

Mammoth Mountain sporting first signs of winter

It looks as if winter has come to Mammoth Mountain. On Tuesday, about four inches of snow fell at the resort's main lodge, which is at 8,900 feet, meaning that much more likely fell at higher elevations.

While some of that snow melted quickly, another 2-4 inches of snowfall came down Tuesday night, thickening the layer covering the woolly mammoth behind the main lodge. More snow showers are expected Wednesday night above 7,500 feet, and another slightly warmer system should be moving in Thursday.

With the warmer temperatures expected for this weekend, this might be short-lived, but it certainly is nice to look at while it lasts!

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: The Woolly mammoth located behind the main lodge at Mammoth Mountain is blanketed with fresh snow. Credit: Mammoth Mountain

Etón Corp. introduces Scorpion, a multi-powered, multi-function unit

Etón Corporation, long known for its emergency preparedness and outdoor products, recently introduced the Scorpion, a multi-powered device that fits well in both categories.

Offering three ways to power the unit -- built-in solar panel, hand-crank and AC adapter -- this multi-function product comes with an AM/FM radio, seven-channel National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather band and an LED flashlight. And they also found room to include a bottle opener.

"With its rugged exterior and multi-function capabilities, the Scorpion is made for anyone exploring the outdoors," said Etón Chief Executive Esmail Amid-Hozour.

The ruggedly built Scorpion also offers a USB port to charge cellular phones, as well as an audio line input for hooking up music devices. Plus, there is a built-in carabiner clip for easy transport and accessibility.

The Scorpion retails for $50 and is available for purchase on the Etón website and at Amazon.com, REI and the Herrington catalog.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: The Scorpion, a solar-powered multi-function device. Credit: Etón Corporation

Nine injured in lightning strike at Old Faithful

Nine visitors to Yellowstone National Park were injured Tuesday afternoon when lightning struck near Old Faithful.

According to a park news release, all were on the boardwalk or on walkways near the geyser when a small thunderstorm cell produced a single lightning bolt.

Park staff immediately converged on the scene and began to triage the injured.

Bystanders had started CPR on a 57-year-old man, who was conscious and breathing when rangers arrived.  He was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic  in the Visitor Center, and then transported by rescue helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.  His current condition is unknown.

Seven others with minor injuries had various complaints of shortness of breath, tingling or numbness.  All were transported to the Old Faithful Clinic, treated and released. 

A ninth individual walked into the Old Faithful Ranger Station and reported being struck by lightning, but did did not seek medical attention.

Hundreds of visitors witnessed the incident, as they were awaiting the next eruption of the famous geyser.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Old Faithful geyser in the winter. Credit: National Park Service

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Special Everglades python-hunting season ends with no snakes taken

The six-week special hunting season for the capture and removal of reptiles of concern from state-managed lands around the Florida Everglades has come to an end with no snakes taken.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists believe that the cold snap that hit the state this winter may have had something to do with the lack of snakes.

"Based on observations and reports from python removal permit holders, biologists and hunters, we believe 50 percent of the wild Burmese python population died as a result of the record cold weather," the commission’s exotic-species section leader Scott Hardin said in a news release. "These seasonal kills are beneficial in helping to control nonnative reptile populations."

Occurring immediately before the pythons’ mating season, commission officials hope the cold snap also hindered the snakes' reproductive season this year.

The hunting season, which ran from March 8 to April 17, took place in the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger wildlife management areas after the close of small-game season.

Zippo adds new products to its outdoor line

Zippo, the company best known for it's metal-case lighters, recently expanded its offerings and has introduced some "hot" new products with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.

The Emergency Fire Starter (pictured), Flexible Neck Utility Lighter and Campfire Starter join the already released Windproof Lighter, Outdoor Utility Lighter and popular Hand Warmer.

-- The campfire starter is a blend of compressed cedar sawdust and wax made of all natural, recycled material. The easy-to-pack block separates into four sections and is meant to alight even in the wettest conditions.

-- The emergency fire starter is a water-resistant, easy-to-carry kit that contains waxed, rayon tinder sticks and a flint wheel for quickly igniting and starting a fire.

-- The utility lighter seems good for lighting anything around camp, be it a camp stove, barbecue or lantern. With rugged metal construction, wind-resistant dual-flame technology, adjustable flame and flexible extended neck, this lighter also could be useful at home for lighting tiki torches, barbecues or even gas ranges and water heaters.

The new products are still being rolled out in retail stores, so the best bet for anyone who wants to purchase any of these items is via the Zippo website.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Emergency Fire Starter. Credit: Zippo

To follow this blog on Twitter, please visit @latimesoutposts

Teenage global sailor Jessica Watson nears home as she reaches Australian waters

Global sailor Jessica Watson passed into Australian waters this weekend, signaling a return to home seas -- a milestone she celebrated with Vegemite on crackers.

The 16-year-old Watson said it was a very special moment, with hot chocolate in hand, a light sprinkling of rain and an albatross circling above to mark the occasion.

Aside from the squid Watson continues to find on board (one of which ended up as part of her lunch Saturday), things seemed to be going smoothly in recent days, until Sunday night, when the weather turned ugly. Here's Watson's description of it from her blog:

Things got pretty interesting for a while last night, when what I thought was just a light passing squall, turned into a full on electrical storm, the worst I've seen at sea yet. Even though I could hardly see it through the icy cold sideways rain, the lightning was striking the water nearby much too close for my liking. The wind gusted pretty high too.

Weekend ahead should be a great opportunity to head outdoors

A respite this weekend from the storms that have been pounding the region, coupled with the glut of snow from them, probably has those who have been stuck inside all week ready to head to the great outdoors to take advantage of both.

Just a reminder to be sure to have patience and use common sense when venturing out. Remember to have tire chains in your vehicle, just in case, as well as drinking water and perhaps taking some snacks for the road, as there may be delays caused by travel conditions and by other drivers. 

There may also be risk of falling rock and landslides because of saturated soil, and avalanche from all the fresh snow.

Travelers might want to check the websites for specific areas they are heading to (for instance, Yosemite National Park announced the closure of all roads into the park this morning), or check SigAlert.com or the Caltrans highway conditions Web page. Caltrans also offers a toll-free number, (800) 427-7623, to call for current highway conditions.

Here's hoping readers take the opportunity to get out and enjoy the crisp, fresh air these storms leave behind. Be safe and have fun!

-- Kelly Burgess

To follow this blog on Twitter, please visit @latimesoutposts.

Photo: Even the foothills above La Crescenta received a dusting of snow. Credit: Scott Bassin