New Snow: None
Settled Snow Depth: 33 inches
High temperature: 51°F (January 2)
Low temperature: 1°F (January 25)
Ski Conditions and Weather
High pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern across the western United States. This means that in Tuolumne Meadows temperatures were above average and precipitation was nil. A fast-moving weather “disturbance” came through over the weekend resulting in a brief period of cold temperatures and high winds out of the northeast.
As we set off westward for our first two snow surveys of the 2026 season, it was quite a blustery day as towering dead fir trees swayed in the wind. Thankfully, the next morning was crisp and calm; not even a breeze to blow the snow survey scale back and forth hypnotically. Sampling was not as difficult as anticipated. Poke, plunge, weigh, record.
Travel back home to Tuolumne Meadows was quite quick on the road corridor. Elsewhere, the old snow surface can best be described as “stale.” With no new snow in three weeks, the wind and sun are having their way. There may not be enough words to describe the varying snow surfaces littered with forest debris, frozen chicken heads (frozen clumps of snow), tree plops, melt freeze crusts, hardened wind board, frozen snow dunes, penitentes (“elongated, thin blades of hardened snow or ice, closely spaced and pointing towards the general direction of the sun”), and, if you’re lucky, pockets of dry powder! At mid elevations, the more solar aspects are becoming spring-like with melt freeze metamorphoses resulting in a window of fine corn snow during the heat of the day.
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.
The avalanche hazard is presently low across the Tuolumne Meadows area. A long period of warm, dry weather is not uncommon in the Sierra Nevada. The high winds on January 24 may have formed small wind slabs on southwest aspects but otherwise the snowpack has been stable. The real hazard in the alpine presently is hard and variable snow surfaces. Travelers should consider the “pointy tools” (ice axe and crampons) if traveling in steeper terrain as there are plenty of hard snow surfaces and ice flows out there.
Wildlife
Aside from the howling wind, this winter has been exceptionally quiet. So quiet that one can hear a flake of bark drop onto the snow as one of the few hardy avian residents, the hairy woodpecker, ascends the trunk of a dead lodgepole in search of breakfast. Watching how active and intent these birds are as they forage, stops one in their ski tracks. Marveling at Mother Nature’s critters makes one realize how we fit into this crazy world and appreciate the moment at hand; and how the sunlight reflecting off a bird’s feathers warms one’s soul.
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.
Happy ski touring!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
