Images 2010
Yosemite, CA-- Two lightning caused fires in the northern portion of Yosemite National Park have caused some trail closures in the area.
The fires continue to burn in the areas of Lake Vernon and Harden Lake. The fire in the Lake Vernon area, known as the Vernon Fire is now at 230 acres. The fire in the Harden Lake area, known as the Slope Fire, continues to progress slowly and current acreage is at 688 acres.
Moderate smoke from both fires is visible in the Hetch Hetchy area, as well as along the Tioga Road near the White Wolf area. All trails to Pate Valley from White Wolf have been closed due to fire activity related to the Slope Fire. Additionally, the trail from Tiltill Valley Trail Junction to Lake Vernon remains closed due to the fire activity of the Vernon Fire. Both trails will remain closed until further notice. The Tiltill Valley trail to Tiltill Mountain remains open.
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Tags: Yosemite Foresta Big Meadow Fire, 1 year anniversary , Cost over $18 million, Acres Burned: 7,425 acres (11.6 square miles) was started today 1 year ago. I am trying to reconstruct the blog I kept during the fire, parts can be found at tab on top of page. More will be added over the days.
"Foresta Big Meadow Prescribed Fire August 26, 2009 Yosemite Fire Mangers are planning the Big Meadow prescribed (Rx) fire in the community of Foresta. The project will consist of burning a total of 91 acres. If weather conditions and air quality allow, the burn will be begin in the morning of August 26. It is expected this project will take one day to complete and another few days to fully mop up hot spots to insure the fire does not escape the defined fire perimeter. The objectives of the Rx project include community fire protection, meadow and forest restoration, and protection of cultural and natural resources. The burning will begin on a designated burn day to provide optimum smoke dispersal. Smoke impacts will be monitored in and around the community of Foresta. Adequate resources will be allocated to this prescribed fire: fire engines, water tenders, and hand crews. The Big Meadow Rx project is the first re-entry fire in the meadow since the A-Rock wildfire of 1990. Prior to European settlement, lightning and Native Americans provided ignition sources on a regular basis resulting in a short interval fire regime of low to moderate intensity fires. More frequent fires maintains surface fuels to low levels and reduces small trees and other vegetation in the understory of larger trees that could form fuel ladders to the crowns of larger trees. It is believed that under these conditions, ecosystems were better able to withstand high intensity, forest stand replacement fires, as the A-Rock wildfire. In addition to reducing the risk of catastrophic fire, frequent low intensity prescribed burning improves wildlife habitat by promoting the sprouting of forage vegetation. For additional Information: Fire Information and Education: (209) 372-0480, Prescribed Fire Office: (209) 375-9576, Yosemite Website: www.nps.gov/yose/fire (G. Wuchner - 8/25/09)"
A helicopter keeps coming in and out of the canyon where the small town of El Portal is and has hauled away what is probably sling loads of pot from a pot farm. The ship hovers above the canyon wall on the south side of the Merced River across from El Portal.
1st photo shows the ship hovering for a pick up and the 2nd photos show it flying away with sling loads of something.
Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924); 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co). The Slope
fire has grown to approximately 619 acres, with the most movement to the
east. Light smoke may continue to be visible along Tioga Rd, White Wolf
area, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Rancheria trail
area, and in the Tuolumne Meadows area. The fire remains a creeping surface
fire through duff and other down vegetation. The mixed conifer forest is on
a north aspect, with cedar and white fir trees, down tree limbs and
compacted short needles as the predominate vegetation. Fire resources have
been reduced to 7 fire monitors.
All trails in the Harden Lake area are now open. The immediate Harden lake
area is open to hikers for day use only. Hikers are reminded to stay on
trails through the fire area.
Was out hiking by Tenaya Lake and found this survey marker from 1915 out on some slabs supported by some boulders. Normally these are by roads, trails, summits, high points, etc but this was in a area just above Tenaya Lake with no real views. They are also normally anchored into rock so that they can not be removed, never seen one like this.
Charlie sends Thunderbird, V11, 8.12.10
There are some nice flowers in the high country now and I found these on the side of Mt Gibbs today. Not sure what they are but there were tons of them.
I was out hiking today towards Mono Pass and on the side of Mt Gibbs today and saw this skull. Anybody know what type of animal it is? Bear?
It was a cold morning in Tuolumne Meadows with a low around freezing. There was heavy frost covering the meadow and parked cars with a mist rising off the river from the morning sun.
This photo shows the misty Tuolumne River with the sun rising over the frosted meadow.
The tiger lily is a large orange flower that is covered with dark spots on its petals. The tiger lily can grow up to 3 inches across and has a strong, sweet scent. It's also called the "ditch lily," as it can be seen growing, wild, in ditches. If you are so inclined, it's good to know that this showy flower is edible. For this reason, they make beautiful wedding cake decorations, food presentations, and the bulbs are edible, as well.
