April 30, 2008
(Last report of the year)

Weather: (April 24 to April 30)

High temp: 62°F (April 27, 28)

Low temp:  18°F (April 25)

New Snow: none
Total settled snow depth: 6 inches as of April 30                           

Ski Conditions and Weather: This will be the last winter report this spring as ski season is quickly drawing to a close. The snow is melting quickly--there are large patches of ground opening up in the meadows, many long stretches of bare pavement along the Tioga Road, and the snowplows are quickly closing in from both sides.

The park plows are near Tenaya Lake, heading east. There is no estimate yet for the opening date of the Tioga Road. For the most current Tioga Road status call 209-372-0200 or go to http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm Caltrans has plowed to the park boundary at Tioga Pass, but the road is still closed at the bottom of the grade outside Lee Vining; it is unknown exactly when they will open the road to the public. You can check the status of that portion of Highway 120 at 800/427-7623 or  http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi.

Wilderness visitors are reminded that bear canisters are required for all overnight backcountry use in Yosemite. The ski hut will remain open for wilderness visitors until shortly before the park opens the Tioga Road to traffic. Visitors who have food or gear in the cache at the Tuolumne Meadows ski hut are reminded that all property must be removed within two weeks following the road opening date; any gear left after that time will be discarded.  

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: Birds seen in the past week include Mallard, Common Merganser, Killdeer, Northern Flicker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Violet-green Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend’s Solitaire, American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, and Brewer’s Blackbird. The Belding’s ground squirrels are coming out of their burrows for the first time this spring. We also saw a pair of coyotes in Dana Meadows this week. Animal tracks seen in the past week include Pine Marten, Chickaree, Mice/Vole, and Hare.    

Questions: If you have any ski related or weather questions feel free to call 209/372-0450 between 8 am and 8 pm. If we are out skiing, leave a message and a phone number so we can return your call. --Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut
Winter 2007-2008
(note changes below)

The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open for the winter season until the Tioga Road opens to traffic in the spring. It sleeps 10 and is available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Parties should always be prepared to camp out in case the hut is full, which happens on occasion, particularly in the spring.

The ski hut is the stone building facing the Tioga Road just west of the bridge across the Tuolumne River and right at the entrance to the Tuolumne Meadows Campground. It is approximately eight miles west of Tioga Pass, and sits at about 8,600 feet in elevation. A wooden sign out front indicates "SKI HUT."

The hut has a wood stove for heat, firewood is provided, and an axe is available for splitting wood. There are electric lights and electric hotplates for cooking--unless the power goes out. An outhouse is located behind the hut and a dumpster for trash is located at the summer store just to the west. Snow will need to be melted for water and pots are provided for that purpose. Bring your own pans and stove for cooking. A large rodent-proof can is provided for storing food while staying in the hut.

The closest route to Tuolumne Meadows is a 16-mile ski up Highway 120 (closed to vehicles this time of the year) just outside the town of Lee Vining, and over 10,000 foot Tioga Pass--a one- or two-day trip under good skiing conditions, but possibly a much longer trip after heavy snowfalls. Numerous other backcountry ski routes of varying length and difficulty exist to access the Tuolumne Meadows area.

A big change this year is that Tioga Pass Resort (TPR) will NOT be open this winter. In past years, the good folks at the lodge made the ski in from the east side much easier by packing out the road, cutting through avalanche paths, and even transporting people and gear up to snow line. None of that will happen this winter. Skiers need to be much more aware of avalanche danger, snowpack conditions, and forecasted weather this winter, especially along the road east of Tioga Pass, and realize that the lodge is unoccupied and not available as a place to retreat to should you encounter difficulties.