New Snow: none
Settled Snow Depth: 53 inches
High temperature: 49°F (February 24)
Low temperature: 4°F (February 20)
Ski Conditions and Weather
Spring was in the air this week. Warm temperatures and a transitioning snow surface have us wondering if the bitter cold and significant snowfall that occurred earlier this month was just a dream. Alas, this is still the Sierra and these wild swings in temperature and precipitation is what we have come to expect.
Ski conditions are presently good for touring. The snow surface is supportable, refreezing overnight, firm and fast in the morning, wet and a titch sloppy in the afternoons. If it’s turns you are looking for, it all depends on time of day, aspect, and elevation. Here at the middle elevations, on solar aspects we are seeing some corn snow developing. But that may be short-lived for now…
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions
Somewhat predictably with the warming temperatures, we observed a relatively new wet slab avalanche that crossed the Tioga Road on Spring Hill just east of Tenaya Lake. Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are still possible with the above normal temperatures in the forecast.
Persistent slab avalanches, though less likely to occur, have the potential to be large and destructive.
Wildlife
On our way back home from snow surveys to the west, we stopped to enjoy the view of Mount Conness penetrating the clouds above. But it confused the senses because if one closed their eyes they would hear snow melt raining from the canopy of hemlocks above with the sounds of hundreds of pine siskins chattering and "...erupt[ing] in a chorus of hoarse, wheezy zwew-eet calls and long rising Zeeeeee calls..." (Beedy). It was as if we had been transported to the warm climates of a lush, green rainforest.Like many of their brethren finches that we have observed this winter, "Siskin flocks move nomadically through forests, and their presence in any specific area is highly unpredictable" (Beedy).
Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open. This primitive cabin is the campground reservation office in the summer and is located along the Tioga Road at the entrance to the campground. It is marked with a sign. There is firewood and 8 bunks that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For those visiting the Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut from the east (only) permits are self-issued at the Ski Hut. For those entering from other areas, please see Yosemite’s website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildfaq.htm#winter or you may contact the wilderness office at 209/372-0740. Do not rely on electricity or phone service at the ski hut.
Come prepared, and please make good decisions while traveling in the wilderness!
Read through the following three pages before embarking on any day or overnight snow travel within this park:
You may contact us with any additional winter Tuolumne Meadows related questions but response times may vary if we are away on patrol.
References
Beedy and Pandolfino. Birds of the Sierra Nevada, their natural history, status and distribution. The Regents of the University of California, 2013.
Happy Touring!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers