New Snow: trace
Settled Snow Depth: 60 inches
High temperature: 58°F (March 25)
Low temperature: 20°F (March 21)
Ski Conditions and Weather
Spring arrived in earnest this week with daytime highs pushing 60°F! We had light rain on March 23; otherwise, it was dry. The overnight freeze of the snow surface was light and short with low temperatures in the upper twenties. On our patrols this week we found a supportable refrozen snow surface until around 11 am at which point it became wet, sloppy, and slow. Not quite the dreamy spring travel conditions yet. In any case, it was a far cry from the deep trail breaking that we discussed last week! We were easily able to travel 3+ miles per hour during the “sweet spot” ski conditions of the early morning.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions
Please refer to the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) and the Bridgeport Avalanche Center for the avalanche advisories for this part of the Sierra Nevada.
This week as creeks opened and snow bridges collapsed and were swallowed up, the sounds of water could be heard all around. During the hottest of days, recent avalanching peeled off the granitic domes and cliffs.
Due to last week’s low-density snow, winds and ultimately misty rain, snow surfaces are slightly runneled on slopes and bumpy in meadows with a wafer-thin sheen of ice along ridgetops. Toe slopes of avalanches with barely recognizable old debris piles from the last storm cycle have created patterns in the snow reminiscent of white sand dunes.
Wildlife
After seeing all their fringilid friends this winter, we were thrilled to hear the pine grosbeak. Oddly enough in wilderness, hearing the call of this bird harkens us back to riding the ski lifts. Its call is reminiscent of a sheave train that needs oiled. But, under the shadow of Mt. Hoffmann, only self-propelled ski runs are to be had. And the only thing that needs oiled are the wrists and knees of ye ol' snow surveyors.
That balmy evening after falling asleep under the stars, we were awoken to a pack of coyotes howling at the rising crescent moon.
While ascending Spring Hill drenched in sweat with sunscreen in our eyes, we glimpsed American robins poking their beaks into the patches of grass starting to appear on the south-facing slopes. Water cascaded down the granite cliffs of Polly Dome in the background. The staccato trill of dark-eyed juncos and the baritone of sooty grouse contributed to the spring choral sounds. The Steller’s jay, however, could use some voice lessons.
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. Do not rely on electricity or phone service at the ski hut.Read through the following webpage before embarking on any day or overnight snow travel to the high country: Winter in Tuolumne Meadows.
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, permits are available via self-registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more: Wilderness Permits.
Come prepared, and please make good decisions while traveling in the wilderness!
You may contact us with any additional winter Tuolumne Meadows related questions but response times may vary if we are away on patrol.
It’s springtime, April Fools?? Laura and Rob Pilewski
-Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
