Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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Painting begins at El Portal Apt. Complex-Beginning Monday October 12,
Lamcon-Mear will be prepping and painting the exterior surface of El Portal
Apartment complexes 741 and 742.
This project is expected to continue until Friday October 22nd. If you have
any questions please contact Kevin Keheley (Acting Project Manager)
at 209-379-1169, you may also leave a message with Tara Hawksley at
209-379-1061. Please note notices to occupants originally stated that the
project would start on 10/004/10 and last until approximately 10/15/10.
However due to current weather conditions the date have been
changed.(M.Thornley 10/06/10)

Construction Update

Tioga Trailheads Project (Beginning October 4, weather dependent)
Allison Sierra Inc. (contractor) will begin work when possible (weather
dependent) at the Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes Trailhead. At that time they
plan to close off the whole parking lot to rehabilitate these areas. Hikers
will be directed to the nearest parking areas which are very close by.

The purpose of this project is to address site maintenance and design needs
that improve visitor safety and experience while protecting natural and
cultural resources.

There are eight formal trailheads included in this project: Gaylor Lakes at
Tioga Pass, Mono Pass, Snow Creek, May Lake/Weston Pond, Porcupine,
Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes, Lukens Lake, and Tamarack Flat/Aspen Valley. This
effort does not include Sunrise or Murphy Creek trailheads (Tenaya Lake
Area Plan), nor Dog Lake and Cathedral Lakes (Tuolumne River Plan) as these
are addressed in other planning efforts.

This year work will occur on the following trailhead areas. Work will
continue this fall until they complete all of the following locations or
until weather forces an end to the work. Next year's work will include the
remaining trailhead segments within this project as listed above.

2010
1.) Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes(Beginning October 4, 2010)
2.) Gaylor Lakes
3.) Snow Creek
4.) May Lake Turnoff
5.) Tamarack Flat/Aspen Valley
(M. Ortiz -10 /7/10)
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Wawona Utility River Crossing Replacement (September 13 through November
30, 2010)
Candelaria will be replacing utilities under the South Fork of the Merced
River in Wawona (near the Wawona Fire Station).  Work consists of in-kind
replacement of two 10-inch water mains and electrical conduit that was
damaged in the 1997 flood.  Construction within the river bed shall be
completed by October 15, 2010 (low water flow). (D. Engelstad - 10/04/10)
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Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station Improvements (August 16 - November 2010)
Abide International (contractor) began work Monday, August 16 to upgrade
the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Work will last approximately three
months. Expect slight delays at the kiosk during this time. The entrance
will be upgraded with new area lighting, a new security camera system, new
doors and reconditioned windows, and new HVAC system along with other
improvements that will bring the entrance station up to date in energy
efficiency and security.  (M. Ortiz - 8/30/10)
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El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System ( July 22, 2010 - December 2010)

Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] began work at the El
Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. To minimize potential traffic and
parking problems, PIA is working Thursday - Sunday.
                 This week: Suntrek is finished with wall 1 and ready to
                 run conduit to wall 1 inverters. Suntrek will also move
                 up to the freshly painted carports and start installing
                 panels on them in the next 2 weeks. The paint crew is
                 continuing cleaning, etching, priming and painting the
                 carports starting at carport 4 and working west. With the
                 rain over the weekend, the paint crew was only able to
                 put in a couple hours on Sunday.
                 Upcoming weeks:  Next week the contractor will be
                 painting and building forms and pouring concrete for the
                 inverters and transformers.
                 Parking  : There should be more parking available in the
                 next few weeks as carports are painted. The contractor
                 wants to start work on the parking deck where employees
                 park their government vehicles starting Oct 14th. The
                 hope is that enough of the painted carports will be ready
                 for regular parking by then. The contractor also wants to
                 start concreting in the columns in the parking area
                 farthest west across from the gas pumps next Thursday Oct
                 7th.  Alternative parking spots will be available just
                 east of the gas pumps.

There has been over 700 panels installed so far with over 2,000 to go!
 (M. Ortiz - 10/7/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (May 3 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are a
number of locations with unpaved surfaces.
**Today's locations of work: Today, there will be work in the area between
Wawona and a mile north of the Wawona  Campground on grading and the bus
turnout.

-For all Yosemite road construction information and updates, visit the
park's website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm

-For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 10/7/10)
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Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end of 2010)
River Crossing and Meadow Work Underway - Removal of Old, Abandoned
Utilities Embedded in the River and Within Meadows
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently working on the river
crossing - related portions of the project this week. You are likely to see
work near the Stoneman Bridge area (across from Curry Village). Work with
heavy machinery will begin each day at 9:00am - and travel through areas
such as Lower Pines Campground, North Pines Campground, Housekeeping Camp
will be essential in accessing the river during certain portions of this
project.

There are 8 different areas through the river corridor where contractors
will be removing abandoned utilities pipes and materials. These pipes are
embedded into the river, therefore it is a delicate process to remove them.
Contractors will work to minimize turbidity in the river during this
process and will be monitoring turbidity levels. Work will occur over the
next 2 months through mid-October.

Other Areas of Work (both current and upcoming) include:
           Areas within Ahwahnee Meadow
           Areas within Stoneman Meadow
(M. Ortiz - 10/7/10)
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Wawona Meadow Restoration (through November 2010)
The south side of the Wawona Meadow Loop trail will be closed  from 7:00am
to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday during meadow restoration. This temporary
closure is likely to be in effect through November, 2010. (M.Ortiz
10/07/10)

Park and Partner News

Effective COB Wednesday, October 6,, all trails through the Slope and
Vernon wilderness fires will be open.  These include trails between White
Wolf, Harden Lake and Pate Valley through the Slope fire and the Tiltill
Valley trail through the Vernon fire.  Be aware of fire weakened trees and
snags and burning logs, litter, and duff that are still present in fire
areas. The trail tread may be compromised in places as well.  Please use
caution when travelling through burned areas.(T.Pusina 10/07/10)
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EXTENSION OF JOB ANNOUNCEMENT-Job Title: Woodcrafter, WG-4605-11, (HRF
10-368) Department: Department Of The Interior  Agency: National Park
Service
Job Announcement Number: HRF 10-368 (SR391307)

                       |
     Salary Range:     |$24.96 - $29.12 /hour
 -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
                       |
    Series & Grade:    |WG-4605-11
 -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
                       |
     Open Period:      |Friday, October 01, 2010 to Thursday, October 12, 2010
 -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
                       |
 Position Information: |Full Time Temporary Promotion NTE 5 years
 -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
                       |
    Duty Locations:    |1 vacancy - Yosemite National Park, CA
 -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
                       |
 Who May Be Considered: |Open to Yosemite National Park Employees Only

Who May Apply: Current Career/Career-Conditional employees of Yosemite
National Park. (A.Burnham 10/07/10)

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Help is needed in identifying the owners/operators of the following
vehicles:

PERSONAL VEHICLES
CA 5PKN370: Green Subaru Outback
CA 6 LNK086: Toyota Corolla

GOVERNMENT VEHICLES
US GG1 1506H:  White Ford Explorer

The contractor will be pouring concrete for the PV panel posts in the back
parking area today and these cars are in the construction zone.  They will
be towed if we can't find the owners/operators soon. (Kimball Koch
10/07/10)
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El Portal Complex employees-If you accidentally parked in a spot with a
sign in front of it saying  "NO PARKING THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR
SUNDAY"  please move your vehicle.  The area you are parked in is being
drilled today.  You will probably be towed away.(D.Coon (10/07/10)
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New Yosemite Streamgage, Weather Station, Webcam to Monitor Merced River-
New instruments and exhibits installed at Happy Isles

The wraps came off a new streamgage and interpretive station at a popular
streamside location in Yosemite National Park today.

The station includes a new streamgage for the Merced River – where the U.S.
Geological Survey has measured streamflow since 1915 – as well as a complex
array of National Weather Service instruments, a webcam, and a special
series of interpretive panels and video displays.

The displays will give visitors new insights into how government agencies
measure streamflow and the weather. The exhibit panels detail why the
information is important for flood hazard warnings and for scientific
research on topics such as climate change. The panels were jointly
developed by the USGS, NWS and the Park.

“The streamgage program is a wonderful example of how your government works
together to enhance science and emergency management in order to protect
and improve the lives of all Americans,” said Deanna Archuleta, U.S.
Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and
Science, as she began the dedication ceremony.

Archuleta was joined at the ceremony by Yosemite National Park
Superintendent Don Neubacher, Eric Reichard, Director of the USGS
California Water Science Center, Niki Nicholas, Chief of Resources
Management and Science in Yosemite National Park, and Rob Hartman, the
Hydrologist in Charge of the Colorado-Nevada River Forecast Center of
NOAA’s National Weather Service.

After brief remarks and a ribbon cutting, USGS Hydrologist Jim Bowers, and
Hydrologic Technician Travis Hiett gave a streamflow measurement wading
demonstration.

The new streamgage station is near the Nature Center at Happy Isles, a
popular stop in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, just across the Merced
River from the trailhead for Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall and the John Muir
Trail.

The National Weather Service has also installed new meteorological
instruments for measuring weather conditions such as air temperature,
precipitation, barometric pressure, and wind. The information can be viewed
on a flat-panel monitor inside the station, which houses the streamgage
equipment. Pressure sensors in the water detect river levels and send the
information through an underground conduit into the streamgage station for
recording and transmission.

The USGS and the National Park Service have partnered for 95 years to
measure flow in the Merced River at Happy Isles. In 1915, USGS installed a
staff gage — a permanent, vertically-mounted, ruler-like device — and began
reading water height manually. The following year, the USGS built an
automatic streamgage on the east side of the Merced River, approximately 50
feet downstream of today’s location. The water height and all river
fluctuations have been recorded continuously since then. The new location,
within a few steps of the Nature Center and the walking trails of Happy
Isles, provides better access not only to the public, but for maintenance
and technology connectivity as well.

Streamgages provide continuous scientific data about water height and flow,
and chemistry and temperature in the nation’s rivers. This information is
critical for activities as diverse as flood forecasting and recreational
planning.  It helps water agencies assess the availability and quality of
water supplies, and helps scientists understand how streams are affected by
human activities and climate change.

The Happy Isles streamgage is one of about 7,500 gages operated and
maintained by the USGS in collaboration with other agencies across the
country. The station was selected to be part of the National Hydrologic
Benchmark Network in 1965 because of its location in a national park on a
stream largely unaffected by human activities. Detailed information about
this historic streamgage and the data it collects is online at
http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ/circ1173/circ1173d/chapter03.html and
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv/?site_no=11264500 .

On the roof of the streamgage station is a new USGS webcam that provides
anglers, rafters, scientists and other river enthusiasts with live views of
the Merced River on their web browser. The camera can be accessed at
http://ca.water.usgs.gov/webcams/happyisles/ . The camera operates 24 hours
a day, year-round.(K.Cobb 10/07/10)

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Ranger Shelton Johnson Receives National Award: Join the park's leadership
team in extending our congratulations to Ranger Shelton Johnson who
recently received the William C. Everhart Award from Clemson University.
He was awarded this honor for "sustained achievements in interpretation
that have illuminated, created insights to, and fostered an appreciation of
our cultural and natural heritage." This award is part of the annual George
B. Hartzog, Jr. Lecture and Environmental Awards Program that was first
held in 1980. Congratulations Shelton! (C.Mattiuzzi 10/06/10)

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Join Resources Management and Sciences Division for October's Yosemite
Forum Lecture series on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the  East Auditorium,
Yosemite Valley, noon to 1 p.m. October's topic will be The Mechanics of
Yosemite Valley Rockfalls:  Insights and New Techniques with Dr. Brian
Collins, U.S. Geological Survey. Rockfalls in Yosemite Valley are a common
occurrence and are responsible for many of the natural features that draw
visitors to this area.  However, rockfalls also present a natural hazard to
visitors, employees, and park infrastructure.  Dr. Collins will present
recent and ongoing rockfall research using new analysis and monitoring
techniques, such as laser scanning, remote structural analyses, and crack
instrumentation, that get at the heart of rockfall detachment from Yosemite
Valley’s walls.  Simple physics-based analogies will be used to illustrate
how these new techniques are providing vital data for understanding how
rocks slide, fracture and topple from the seemingly strong granite walls of
Yosemite Valley.(M.Thornley 10/06/10)

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OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH IN YOSEMITE-Throughout the month of
October, Yosemite Fire Management will be distributing fire safety
information and providing local programs to focus on family and worksite
fire safety.  Each week will focus on a particular topic with the goal of
having every worksite complete the task assigned.(D.Coffman 10/07/10)

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Fire Update #28-Yosemite National Park experienced over 1,220 lightning
strikes Oct. 1-4, leading to at least 15 fire starts. On Oct. 1, the Long
Gulch and Smokey Jack fires were discovered by helicopter reconnaissance.
On Oct. 2 the Coyote fire was discovered. On Oct. 3, the Smith, Middle,
Dome, Mono, Turner, Alder, Chilnualna, and Crescent fires were also
discovered by helicopter or visitor reports to dispatch. On Oct. 4, the
Wawona, Canyon Ranch, Aspen, and Mather fires were discovered by park
personnel or visitors. The park's fire management team is waiting for the
wet weather to end to identify which fires have potential in drier weather.

Fires in the Suppression Zone: The Middle, Aspen, Canyon Ranch, Smith and
Mather fires occur with the park’s suppression zone and will be
extinguished.

Fires in the Wildland Fire Zone: The 10 other October fires are in the
wildland fire zone, where fires can be managed for multiple objectives.

Note:  Yosemite fire management has not flown a reconnaissance mission
since Sunday so there may be other fires burning in the park.  However
given the wet weather and the duration of the weather system, this could be
our season-ending event.  Fire Management will evaluate all fires in the
wildland fire zone when low pressure moves out of the region.

Summer’s Earlier Fires:  The Slope and Vernon fires have been burning since
mid-summer. Both of these fires have aided significantly in restoring
forest health by the return of fire to the landscape. The fires have been
managed and monitored with little intervention by firefighters, allowing
the fires to move in natural directions and filling key pieces of the fire
mosaic. Crews were removed from both fires on Sunday due to the intense
lightning activity.  Fire Management will also evaluate the potential of
the Slope and Vernon Fires when it dries out.
For more information, see Yosemite's "Current Fire Activity" webpage at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm (G. Smith, 10/06/10)

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Employment Opportunity: Yosemite Institute Program Coordinator: This is a
32-hour per week, year-round position with the Yosemite Institute. Yosemite
Institute is a nationally recognized leader in the field of experiential
environmental education, providing educational adventures in nature’s
classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and
responsible actions to sustain it. Yosemite Institute is a campus of
NatureBridge, which conducts programs for more than 40,000 participants
annually at its four campuses:  Headlands Institute in the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area, near San Francisco, Olympic Park Institute in
Olympic National Park, Washington, Santa Monica Mountains Institute in
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, in the canyons above
Malibu in Southern California, and Yosemite Institute in Yosemite National
Park, CA.

The Program Coordinator (PC) is responsible for supporting the operation of
Yosemite  Institute  programs (transportation, meals, lodging, staffing and
scheduling) by performing various clerical functions.  The PC works closely
with  the  Director  of Operations (DoO) to ensure smooth program logistics
and  communication with school groups.  The ideal candidate is an excellent
communicator  and  incredibly  detail  oriented.  The  PC  is also the main
coordinator  for  the summer schedule, organizing all logistics surrounding
summer  programming and taking on more leadership responsibilities with the
DoO taking time off in the summer months.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Applicants interested in being considered for this position need to submit
a cover letter and resume including contact information for three
references, by 5:00pm, October 8, 2010. Invitations for interviews will be
extended to selected candidates after the application deadline.  Completed
applications can be sent electronically to: Program Coordinator Search, at:
yi@naturebridge.org.  If you have questions or would like to review a
complete job description, please write to
yi@naturebridge.org
or call 209-379-9514, ext.75.
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Yosemite
Institute and NatureBridge. (P.L.Schmidt 10/06/10)
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Bear Facts
September 26 –October 2, 2010

Weekly Total

                  |  # of Incidents |  Damage
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Parking Lots    |  0              |  $0
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Campgrounds     |  2              |  $240
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Other Areas     |  3              |  $155
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Backcountry     |  0              |  $0
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Total           |  5              |  $395

Yearly Total

                  |  # of Incidents |  Damage
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Parking Lots    |  135            |  $52,263
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Campgrounds     |  174            |  $10,311
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Other Areas     |  137            |  $32,571
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Backcountry     |  18             |  $2,351
 ------------------+-----------------+--------------
  Total           |  464            |  $97,496

*Additionally there have been 60 bear incidents where a bear obtained trash
that was left out or from trash cans or dumpsters that were not secure.

Year to Date Comparisons for the Week of September 26 –October 2, 2010

              |  1998       |  2010       |  Percent       |  2009       |  2010       |  Percent
              |             |             |  Change        |             |             |  Change
 --------------+-------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+-------------+----------------
  Incidents   |  1,455      |  464        |  -68.11%       |  456        |  464        |  +2.43%
 --------------+-------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+-------------+----------------
  Damage      |  $621,083   |  $97,496    |  -83.30%       |  $67,129    |  $97,496    |  +45.24%

There have already been 22 bears hit, and 7 killed by vehicles this year.
Please obey speed limits and pay attention while driving!

BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Bears are still active in Yosemite Valley and Crane Flat.  Bears have
entered unsecured buildings on several occasions and obtained large food
rewards.  Leaving windows, doors, and garages open encourage bears to enter
these structures to demolish them and obtain huge food rewards.  Bears
historically repeat and escalate this behavior after the initial food
reward which too often leads to the animal having to be destroyed.  Don’t
let your guard down because peak visitation is winding down.  As residents
it is our responsibility to do our part in keeping these animals wild.
Close that window, door, and garage before you leave, it might save a
bear’s life.

If you are visiting Yosemite, be aware that bears are extremely clever and
opportunistic.  It is your responsibility as a visitor to ensure that bears
do not get your food.  Please keep these animals wild by diligently
following all park laws.  If you see a bear during your visit please report
it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322.

WEEKLY INCIDENTS BY LOCATION

                         |  # of Incidents
 -------------------------+------------------
  Middle Cathedral Rock  |         2
 -------------------------+------------------
  Crane Flat             |         1
 -------------------------+------------------
  Tuolumne Meadows       |         2

INTERESTING BEAR FACT
All species of bear have 42 teeth except for the Sloth bear who have only
40.  Permanent teeth are usually in place by the time a bear is
approximately two and a half years old.(V.Seher 10/05/10)
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A Call to All Park Artists -  The Yosemite  Art and Education Center is
hosting  'From Our Point of View', a venue for the wide range of amazing
art work produced by Yosemite Employees and Residents.  The show will be
open for the month of November at the Art and Education Center and is open
to any artist living or working in Yosemite National Park.  Any media is
welcome, painting, drawing, fiber, photography, recycled art.  Two original
pieces per artist, ready to display, please.  Any questions?   Please call
Aline Allen, 372-1442, or drop by the Art and Education Center.  Not an
artist yourself but know some one who is?  Help spread the word,  encourage
them to join in and then come and see the show in November. (A.Allen
10/05/10)
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A weekend of art in the park-  Come join two-time Renaissance’s winner
Andie Thrams & Yosemite Conservancy for WATERCOLORS IN THE WILD
Painting in wild places is powerfully transforming, yet working outdoors
can be overwhelming. A series of studies designed to get us working with
ease in the wild will focus on autumn forest flora.
During gentle forays outdoors, we will collect ideas and experiment with
drawing and painting techniques using watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil.
Our projects and demonstrations will include field-friendly approaches for
mixing accurate colors, using thumbnails to generate effective
compositions, seeing and capturing gesture, form, detail, light and shadow,
and painting in layers with both care and wild abandon to conjure up a
sense of complexity found in wild habitats. You’ll leave with a series of
methods for happily getting to work with speed and freedom to create images
in the field as well as strategies to get enough down on paper to enable
completion later on.
DATE: Friday – Sunday October 8 – 10, 2010
MEETING PLACE: Girls Club
MEETING TIME:  8:30 am
Call Holly at 379-2317 x17 for more details.  REMEMBER NPS goes for a small
materials fee.  This is great opportunity for novices and pros. (H. Kuehn -
10/04/10)
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Suspended Contractor - GTSI - Ruggedized Tablet
Please note that contractor GTSI has been suspended by the Small Business
Administration. Suspension is a temporary and preliminary action pending
completion of investigation. Suspension makes the respondent awardee
ineligible for new awards effective the date of suspension. Upon completion
of investigation, and/or ensuing legal proceedings the suspension, as
appropriate, may be followed by a debarment action.  DOI has a contract
with GTSI for the Panasonic CF-19 Ruggedized Tablet.  No new orders may be
placed against that contract until this matter is resolved.  Please advise
your staff accordingly.  WASO is working with the OCIO staff to identify a
qualified alternate source or sources. (L. Schafer 10/07/2010)

Acting Designations

Marvin Mann will be Acting Chief of Business and Revenue Management on
Friday (10/8/10) while Marty Nielson is out of the office.(W.Malone
10/07/10)
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Acting A.O. designations for the following dates:  Lorene Schafer (x1873)
from Oct. 5-8.  (P. Lendvay Humphrey x1007) (P. Humphrey - 10/4/10)