Conditions Report
This post was written by Laura and Rob Pilewski, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers on Saturday, 11 January
- New Snow: 8 inches
- Settled Snow Depth: 33 inches
- High temperature: 51°F (January 2)
- Low temperature: 1°F (January 4)
Ski Conditions and Weather
On the evening of January 3, the Tuolumne Meadows area was treated to seven new inches of low-density snow that fell during a three-hour burst. Sometimes, we must sound like a broken record talking about “changing conditions” in these weekly updates. However, the magnificent dynamic quality of snow demands that we accept the ever-changing nature of it. Before these seven inches of new snowfall, the old snow surface was either a breakable sun or wind crust, which did not make for good skiing. In marked contrast, the three days following the snowfall were windless bluebird days with supportable snow, resulting in excellent ski conditions each day… until today, day four, which saw the wind machine crank up the northeast winds and change (this time for the worst) the ski conditions once again. As any skier will tell you, chasing good snow can be frustrating and fabulously rewarding!
We patrolled the drainages of the Cathedral Range this week and found good coverage and ski conditions for turning and touring. The alpine is still a bit “sharky,” so one must be mindful of obstacles existing just below the otherwise inviting sparkling snow surface.
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.
Although the avalanche hazard remains “low” in this part of the Sierra Nevada, we were reminded this week of the unique nature of a snowpack residing on the steep granite domes of Tuolumne Meadows. While on our “Cathedral Peak circumnavigation” ski patrol, we observed two sizeable avalanches that had slid off the smooth granite slopes below Cathedral Peak on the west and north aspects. Typically, we see glide avalanches on these slopes later in the season as the snowpack “glides” over time downhill before giving way to gravity and avalanching. However, we suspect these avalanches occurred during one of the warm spells when meltwater percolated through the somewhat shallow snowpack to the smooth granite below, lubricating the “bed surface” and causing the whole snowpack to let go.
Wildlife
Although we only saw the bushtits through early-mid December, the other pine siskins, red crossbills, and evening grosbeaks are sticking around. The pine siskins especially seem to be enjoying the abundant crop of hemlock pinecone seeds. Many western states have had a bumper crop of conifer cones, none like these two rangers have seen in several decades.
With the relatively shallow snowpack and periodically warm temperatures, the bears near the Mono Pass trail are still active. One set of tracks appeared to an untrained eye, large enough to be that of the grizzly (Ursus arctos californicus). However, outside of captivity and the California flag, none have been seen in the state since 1924 in Sequoia National Park. Recent studies of carbon and nitrogen isotopes found in California grizzly bear bones have found that these bears were primarily vegetarians (90% of their diet).
Moment of Zen
No person or president is perfect. However, President Jimmy Carter was a caring, compassionate, and humble person who made friends across the aisle. Also, “President Carter was a great friend of national parks, not only as president but as a citizen of Plains [Georgia]. While president, he more than doubled the size of the National Park System through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, setting aside more than 43 million acres of national parkland in the Last Frontier…” (NPS)
Like many wilderness rangers, President Carter would often run or bike to where he was going during his daily routines (the exception being we don’t have the Secret Service following us around.) Just think of how we say we don’t have time to do these activities when the former President of the United States did even into his eighties! In physical activity, especially in the great outdoors, faith, love, companionship, and a sense of purpose keep one happy. Commit to yourself in 2025. You are worth it!
Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open. This primitive cabin is the campground reservation office in the summer and is located along Tioga Road at the entrance to the campground. It is marked with a sign. Firewood and eight bunks 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. As of this writing, there is electricity and limited (Verizon) phone service in Tuolumne Meadows.
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
- California grizzlies weren’t as giant and threatening as people once thought | Science | AAAS
- National Park Service. National Park Service Mourns the Passing of President Jimmy Carter – Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Ski in Peace,
Laura and Rob Pilewski – Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
