Settled Snow Depth: 70 inches
High temperature: 41°F (February 14)
Low temperature: 1°F (February 13)
Ski Conditions and Weather
The dancing worked! From almost thirty-four days of no snow to full on winter… From feast to famine, we snow lovers are now at an all you can eat buffet but need to temper our hunger just a bit. Mother Nature makes the trail-breaking difficult for a reason. She doesn’t want you to venture too far when the avalanche hazard is this high. She’d rather you slow down and gaze at the miracle of the individual snowflakes first.
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 park.
As of this writing, there is an Avalanche Warning for most parts of the High Sierra. Situational awareness is paramount including “out there,” around roofs that may slide even as you dart in and out of the coffee shop on the way to the slopes. A simple broken binding in the backcountry (or even side country) with these temperatures and winds can become an epic disaster. And despite satellite connectivity, help may be way more than a push-of-a-button away. Many snowmobiles and helicopters cannot respond in this type of weather and the safety of those responding is paramount to yours. Be prepared to hunker during storm cycles like this.
Wildlife
It would be tough being a coyote right now. It seems like all the ground dwelling mammals were anxious last week. Bears prowled Tenaya Lake. Coyotes yipped excitedly perhaps because they found our set of ski tracks to walk on top of and save a bit of energy. We too yipped with joy when we came across a pair of theirs to ski upon! A nervous pika let out a half-hearted cheep as a skier passed by its domain at Elizabeth Lake. Now all is quiet. The snow is piling up and only the best adapted, like the long-tailed weasel who left these tracks, will be able to navigate above and even beneath the snow.
Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open! And, thanks to the hard work of the Historic Preservation Crew, renovation is complete and it looks so warm and cozy! 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 10 bunks that 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. Do not rely on electricity or phone service at the ski hut.
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.
Don that snorkel!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
