April 29, 2009
(last update of the year)

Weather: (April 22 through April 28)
High temperature: 61°F (April 22)
Low temperature: 3°F (April 25)
New Snow: 6 inches (April 23-24)
Total settled snow depth: 12 inches as of April 29

Ski Conditions and Weather: This will be the last update for this winter, as the ski touring season is rapidly melting away. It was another nice week of spring weather here at Tuolumne Meadows, with afternoon highs in the fifties most days. Birds are singing everywhere, and the first wildflowers (buttercups) have been spotted. It is recommended that you get an early start if you are planning to ski through the area, as the snow is turning to slush in the afternoon sun. Most of the rivers and creeks have opened up and are running high; there are few places to cross other than at the summer trail bridges. The park plows are in the vicinity of the May Lake road, working their way towards Tioga Pass. 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 visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm. Caltrans has plowed to the park boundary at Tioga Pass, and the road east of the pass is now open to traffic. It always pays to call ahead if there has been any stormy weather, to be sure the road hasn’t been re-closed. Backcountry visitors are reminded that bear canisters are required for all overnight backcountry use. The ski hut will remain open for backcountry visitors until shortly before the park opens the Tioga Road to traffic. Visitors who have food or gear in the cache at the Tuolumne 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 per week and more often during weather events.

Wildlife: Birds seen in the past week include Mallard, Common Merganser, Killdeer, Northern Flicker, Red-tailed Hawk, Violet-green Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, Red-winged Blackbird, and Brewer’s Blackbird.

The Belding’s ground squirrels and the local chipmunks are coming out of their burrows for the first time this spring. Coyotes have been seen in the area. Animal tracks seen in the past week include Pine Marten, Chickaree, Mice/Vole, and Hare.

--Jeff and Kathi, Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers

Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut
Winter 2008-2009

The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is now open for the winter season until the Tioga Road opens to traffic in the spring (usually sometime in May or early June). 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 (in the summer, the building is the campground reservations office). 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, a not-too-unusual occurrence. 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.

Once again this year, 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.