Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Friday, February 11, 2011

Badger Pass Daily Snow Report
Friday, February 11, 2011
(Changes from Thursday in bold )

Base Depth:  66 ” – 72”
New Snow: 0”
Snow Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder
Forecast: Sunny
Temperature : High: 48, Low: 28
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit, Red Fox, Badger, Chipmunk, Beaver
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
Many features (14) in our two terrain parks!!! One is on Eagle run with boxes, rails, rollers and a jump while the Beaver run hosts 4 big-air jumps, rollers and boxes!! Come try them out!!
Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point on Thursday night (February 10). Fresh tracks to Bridalveil Campground on Wednesday night (February 9).
XC trail snow conditions: Excellent
Tubing Hill: Two sessions/day: 11:30am–1:30pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm (S. Costello - 2/11)
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Croaking Toad Lecture Series, Thursday, February 17, 8am to 9am
In the large Break Room, El Portal: Mercury In Yosemite--Is it Safe to Eat the Fish?  Please join Resources Management and Science Division to hear the presentation presented by Heather McKenny, Aquatic Ecologist, Wildlife Branch, and Leland Tarnay, Air Resources Specialist, Physical Science and Landscape Ecology Branch. Resources Management & Science hosts this monthly informational series to address various natural and cultural resource issues that have an impact on Yosemite National Park. Please come to learn more about your park. For further information, contact RMS at 379-1301. (K. Dera - 2/10)
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Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
February 9, 2011

Weather: (February 3 through February 9)
High temp: 52° (February 6)
Low temp: 0° (February 9)
New Snow: 0                                       
Total settled snow depth: 48” as of February 9                        

Ski Conditions and Weather: This has been the week of the winds. We have had strong east winds all week making it feel colder than it really was. Brilliant sunshine dominated everyday followed by cold, clear nights. Skiing conditions have really deteriorated because of the winds. Ski tracks have been left stranded several inches above the snowpack or buried under a wind-crusted slab of Styrofoam. Just to give you an idea of how wet last December was, our February 1st snow surveys showed the Tuolumne and Merced River drainages at 150% above average, even though we have not had any significant snow in almost 6 weeks. The Lee Vining grade (HWY 120) is starting to melt out in spots, making skiers take off their skis and walk short distances on bare pavement.
   
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.
 
Wildlife: Tracks seen recently were Pine Marten, weasel, White-tailed Jackrabbit, along with the many tiny rodent, Coyote and Chickaree tracks. We saw a large flock of robins feeding on Juniper berries just east of Ranger Camp. Birds seen this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Robin, Northern Flicker, and Common Raven. 
  
Questions: The power and phones are out indefinitely, come prepared.  (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers). (K. Younger - 2/10)       

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EMPLOYEE NEWS 

2011 Spring Opening of Tioga Road Corridor Meeting
The Kick off meeting for the 2011 Spring Opening of Tioga Road Corridor will be on March 10, 2010, in the Large Break Room in El Portal from 10:00am to 12:00 noon. Please mark your calendars and attend if you have any concerns or issues that need to be addressed. Please send me your concerns so I can address with the correct information for you at the meeting. (T. Brochini - 2/11)
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Yosemite Pet Policy Reminder
The Yosemite Pet Policy was initiated to protect our wildlife, protect your pet, and to ensure your pet(s) are not inconveniencing others in your neighborhood.  To avoid losing pet privileges, pet owners please note the Pet Policy includes:
- Pets within the park boundary or in public areas must be under physical restraint, or on a lease at all times (this includes cats).
- Activities of pets shall not disturb, menace, or inconvenience others. This includes unreasonable barking.
- Pet owners are responsible for properly disposing of pet's fecal matter.
- Pet owners are liable for any cleaning or damages to government property. (C. Baker - 2/11)
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Wawona House for Bid
House #4186 – 2632 English Lane. Two Bedrooms, 1.75 Bathrooms, 1,293 Sq. Ft. – Built in 1959. $381.57 bi-weekly, plus utilities. Deadline for bid submission: March 1, 2011 (close of business). Eligible employees must be NPS Permanent, Term, or SCEP (Student Career Experience Program).   Questions? Please call 379-1839 or 379-1879. For bid forms, please contact the Housing Management Office or go to: http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/housing/Forms/Forms/AllItems.aspx (click on Housing Bid Form). (Y. Radanovich - 2/10)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS     

Sonny Montague will be Anthropology's Acting Branch Chief on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Alison Colwell will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and Ecological Restoration on (379-3295) on Feb. 11.

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  

Looking for a New Medical Home?
Please join us on Thursday, February 24, from Noon to 6:30pm in the Sunrise Room in the DNC Administration Building in Yosemite Village. Representatives from the John C. Fremont Healthcare District will be available from Noon to 6:30. From 5:30-6:30pm, some of our providers will be available for you to meet. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. (L. Kohler - 2/11)
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Adam Burns Band
The Adam Burns Band will be playing at the Evergreen Lodge Tavern this Saturday, February 12, from 9 to midnight. (K. Ramsey - 2/10)
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Upcoming Events at the Hotel Charlotte
The Hotel Charlotte in Groveland (www.hotelcharlotte.com ) has a number of special events coming up. Check out our Valentine's Weekend dinner specials and February lodging deals on our web site. Come by for Trivia Mondays, every Monday from March 7 to May 9 at 6:30pm. The 4th Monday of each month features a card stamping class/party - lunch, instructions, and all materials are provided for $25/person. Come March 19 and 20 for live Cabaret music while you dine. Call (209) 962-6455 for more information. (C. Botell - 2/10)