July 01, 2009
Lightning Caused Fires Continue to Burn in Yosemite National ParkSome Trails Closed due to Fires
June 25, 2009
Rescued Park Visitors Return to Yosemite to Present Plaque to Park RangerPark visitors James Bachman and Dorothy Hovland, from Huntington Beach, CA, returned to Yosemite today to present a plaque to Park Ranger Dan Abbe to show their appreciation for his heroic efforts. Abbe rescued the pair after their truck and trailer slid off of Highway 41 and down a steep hillside. The plaque was presented during a ceremony in Yosemite Valley.
June 22, 2009
Yosemite National Park Ranger Saves Lives of Two Park VisitorsOn May 26, 2009, Yosemite National Park Ranger Dan Abbe was flagged down by park visitors on his way to work in Yosemite Valley. Abbe was traveling on the Wawona Road and entered the pullout about 2.5 miles south of the Wawona Tunnel. He was informed that there was a vehicle over the side of the road and it was on fire.
June 18, 2009
Yosemite Art Exhibit to Feature Diverse Works by Artists-in-ResidenceA unique art exhibit is opening on June 20, 2009 at the Yosemite Museum Gallery. The exhibit features work from seven professional artists, all part of the Artists-in-Residence program.
June 17, 2009
Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation Project to Begin in Yosemite National ParkYosemite National Park will be reconstructing part of the Glacier Point Road beginning this Monday, June 22, 2009. Work will consist of the rehabilitation, restoration, and resurfacing of the road, including repaving and drainage improvements to include 5.1 miles of the road from the Chinquapin intersection to Badger Pass Ski area. Additionally, there will be work on the Wawona Road (Hwy. 41) near the Chinquapin intersection.
June 17, 2009
Barry Hance Memorial Award given in Yosemite National ParkActing Yosemite Superintendent Dave Uberuaga announced today that Dick Ewart is the recipient of the 2009 Barry Hance Memorial Award. Ewart, a Yosemite National Park Ranger, received the award at an all employee meeting today attended by approximately 300 people, including several past Barry Hance Award recipients.
June 15, 2009
Missing Employee Found Dead in Yosemite National ParkChristopher Hale, 23, of Gainesville, Florida was found dead today in Yosemite National Park. Hale, who had been reported missing since yesterday morning was found by Park Rangers at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. It appears that Hale fell from an unnamed cliff face above Mirror Lake in eastern Yosemite Valley. The exact cause of death and other details remain under investigation.
June 14, 2009
Victim of Half Dome Fatality IdentifiedAt about 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2009, Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls regarding an individual who had fallen from the cables on Half Dome. Manoj Kumar, a 40 year old male from San Ramon, California, had gone to the top of Half Dome and was descending. Day time weather conditions mirrored those of the last several weeks with clouds developing midday with afternoon showers.
June 13, 2009
Hiker Fatality on Half Dome in Yosemite National ParkAt approximately 3:40 p.m. this afternoon, Yosemite National Park’s Emergency Communication Center received a 911 phone call reporting a fall of a hiker on Half Dome. National Park Rangers arrived on scene via the park helicopter soon thereafter. A male park visitor was found dead and about 30 hikers were still on the cables.
June 10, 2009
Surprise Bus Inspections Conducted in Yosemite National ParkThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the National Park Service (NPS) held a surprise inspection for all commercial for hire multiple passenger tour buses in the park today. The purpose of these unannounced inspections is ensure visitor safety through safe operation of tour buses in an attempt to reduce chances of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving tour buses bringing passengers to Yosemite National Park.
June 03, 2009
Yosemite National Park Celebrates the 130th Anniversary of the Yosemite ChapelThe Yosemite Chapel, located in Yosemite Valley, will be celebrating its 130th anniversary this Sunday, June 7.
June 02, 2009
Yosemite National Park Invites the Public to Community Safety DaySafety events will focus on community health, community safety, wilderness safety, and emergency services
May 19, 2009
Yosemite National Park Rangers Search for Missing WomanYosemite National Park is seeking assistance in locating a missing woman who was last seen below the Vernal Fall footbridge at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2009.
May 19, 2009
Tioga Road to Open in Yosemite National Park (2009)Visitors urged to take safety precautions for upcoming Memorial Day Weekend
May 18, 2009
Yosemite National Park Receives the Chancellors Medal from University of California, MercedOn May 16, 2009, University of California, Merced (UC Merced) Chancellor Sung-Mo “Steve” Kang presented the Chancellor’s Medal, the highest award given by a UC Chancellor, to Yosemite National Park. This is the first time the Chancellors Award has been given to an organization, rather than an individual. The award was given to Yosemite National Park for excellence in collaborative partnership of several programs offered at UC Merced designed to inspire academic leadership, field study, and experimental learning in Yosemite National Park.
May 15, 2009
Half Dome Cables in Place in Yosemite National Park (2009)The cables allowing trail access for hikers to the summit of Half Dome are up and open for the season today, May 15, 2009.
May 08, 2009
Yosemite National Park Announces the availability of the Yosemite Institute Environmental Education Campus Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Public ReviewThe Yosemite Institute (YI), a National Park Service (NPS) non-profit park partner, has provided environmental education programs in Yosemite since 1971 at its Crane Flat campus. Most of the campus structures and utilities are over 60 years old, energy inefficient, and difficult to retrofit to achieve modern standards for health, safety, and accessibility. The campus can accommodate only a fraction of the students in the program; the remainder must be based elsewhere in the park, in commercial lodging. To address these issues, YI and the NPS are considering options to provide better facilities by redeveloping the existing campus, or constructing a new campus at Henness Ridge, and restoring Crane Flat to natural conditions.
May 08, 2009
Glacier Point Road Open in Yosemite National ParkThe Glacier Point Road opened for the season on May 5, 2009 at 12 noon. Limited services at Glacier Point, including vault toilets and hand washing stations, are available. The Glacier Point concessions stand is not open at this time.
May 01, 2009
Thomas Hill Exhibit at Yosemite Opens to the Public on Friday, May 8The Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio now features a display about Thomas Hill Thanks to Contributions from Yosemite Fund Donors
April 24, 2009
Ken Burns visits Yosemite National Park to preview his latest film: NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEAAcclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns visited Yosemite National Park today to preview his latest film National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Burns visited Yosemite landmarks, such as Yosemite Falls and Cooks Meadow, interacted with Yosemite Institute participants, and showed a one hour preview to Yosemite National Park employees and park partners.
April 08, 2009
Ahwiyah Point Rockfall Size EstimatedOn March 28, 2009, a large rockfall occurred from Ahwiyah Point near Half Dome. Rocks fell roughly 1,800 feet, knocking down hundreds of trees and burying hundreds of feet of trail on the southern portion of the Mirror Lake Loop Trail. The impact generated ground shaking equivalent to a magnitude 2.4 earthquake. Numerous smaller rockfalls have occurred from Ahwiyah Point since the initial rockfall on March 28. There were no injuries or structures affected.
March 17, 2009
Yosemite Institute Summer Field Research Program registration opensTwo Week Long Course Offers Teens Personal and Intellectual Challenges
February 24, 2009
Korean Climber Caught in Avalanche on Half Dome in Yosemite National ParkEarly contact with the approximately 40 year old mountaineer indicates that he is alert and responsive
February 24, 2009
Korean Climber Rescued from Half Dome in Yosemite National ParkA Korean mountaineer was rescued from Half Dome today at approximately 8:30am after being swept downhill in an avalanche yesterday afternoon.
February 19, 2009
Poacher Successfully Prosecuted in Yosemite National ParkHunters Urged to be Aware of Park Boundary
February 10, 2009
Amgen Bicycle Tour of California Coming to Yosemite AreaThe largest cycling event in America, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding, recently expanded, 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido from February 14-22, 2009. For the first time, the Tour will be passing through the Yosemite National Park area with the course going through the gateway communities of Mariposa and Oakhurst. The Yosemite portion, Stage 4, will occur midday on Wednesday, February 18.
January 30, 2009
Yosemite National Park Announces Public Scoping for the Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental AssessmentYosemite National Park is announcing the public scoping period for the Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment (EA). Public scoping comments will be used to assist the park in developing a range of reasonable and feasible project alternatives that meet the purpose and need, including a no action alternative, and then analyzing the environmental effects of each alternative. A 30-day public scoping period for this EA will open on February 12, 2009 and will extend through March 13, 2009. Written comments should be postmarked no later than March 13, 2009 .
