エルキャピタン登攀記録が11/6更新されていました。2時間36分45秒だそうです。
「Climbers go up Yosemite's Nose to reset record」
Tioga Road、Glacier Point Roadは冬季通行止に入りました。
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Valleyにあるヨセミテ国立公園診療所(Medical Clinic)は「Tenet HealthSystem」によって運営されてきました。ところが採算がとれないため次期の契約を更新せず、また次期の応募者がないため今年12月31日をもって空白期間が生じる可能性がありました。
SFクロニコル記事「Yosemite clinic to close unless provider found」
幸い、U.S. Public Health ServiceがNPSに職員を派遣する形で、診療が続けられるようになった模様です。
SFクロニコル記事「Yosemite National Park medical clinic to stay open」
NPSのニュースリリースに「Yosemite National Park Celebrates 120th Birthday on October 1」という記事が出ています。
ヨセミテ国立公園は、イエローストーン、セコイアに続き3番目の国立公園として1890年に誕生したというわけです。今回はとくに大きなイベントは行われないようですが、これは2014年に「The Yosemite Grant」(連邦議会での議決とリンカーン大統領のサインによって1864年に指定。実質的に最初の国立公園制度ともいえる。)の150周年イベントを計画しているということのようです。
Yosemite Association(YA)とYosemite Fund(YF)は統合しました。
YAが持っていたメンバーシップ(会員制度)はなくなり、任意の寄付のみになっています。
新団体を紹介するビデオです。
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm
Glen AulinのWildcatに火事があるようです。
Tuolumne渓谷の煙:Wildcat Pt.は、中央右側に見える黒い三角の影のある大きな崖(手前はFalls Ridge)。写真左端奥はTower Peak。中央のギャップ左側はMatterhorn Peak(Sawtooth Range、ヨセミテの北の境界)。
[Tuolumne Peakよりの撮影]
Outside Yosemite Valley:
Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona Campgrounds are open; reservations are required. Tuolumne Meadows and Crane Flat Campgrounds are open (half the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis). Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and Porcupine Flat Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-served basis.
Spotlight Mobile社から、iPhone,iPod Touch用アプリ「Yosemite Falls」が発売されています。
The Half Dome cables will be ready for use on June 16, 2010, conditions permitting. The cable route will be closed during installation on June 15. Snow remains on the subdome, below the Half Dome cables. A slip and fall from the subdome's steep snowfield could cause serious injury or death.
(Learn more about the Half Dome hike. Please note that permits are required to hike to Half Dome on Fridays-Sundays and holidays beginning this year.)
洪水のTuolumne Meadow。Cathedral Lakes TH付近から西方面を撮った写真。左端のドームはFairview。中央平らなのはPothole。
Glacier Point Road:
The Glacier Point Road will open on Friday, May 28 at noon, conditions permitting. Expect 30-minute delays between Chinquapin and Badger Pass Sunday night through Friday afternoon (except Memorial Day).
Tioga Road:
The Tioga Road will not be open for Memorial Day weekend; there is no estimated opening date.
Plows have reached Tioga Pass and will now be working on widening the road. Plowing continues Monday - Saturday. Average Snow Depth is 4 to 6 feet. Plowing operation will continue today.
toshiさんが下に投稿してくださってますが、まだ残雪が多いためハーフドーム登頂開始はしばらく延期です。今週末と来週末の登山パーミッションを持っている方は返金だそうです。
The Half Dome cables
Trails Update:
The Mist and John Muir Trails to Vernal and Nevada Falls are now open.
May 2010
Notices
Both the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are currently closed. Plowing operations are underway but there is no estimated opening date for either road. For more information on the plowing progress, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm.
Please note that Tioga Road is closed in its entirety, from one mile east of Crane Flat to five miles west of US 395 and is not open to the progress of the plows.
Additionally, if the Glacier Point Road opens for the season prior to May 28, it will be open Saturdays and Sundays only through May 27 (plus Friday, May 21) due to road work. Delays may occur after May 28, but the road will be open seven days per week.
Trail Conditions
Even though it maybe spring on the calendar, it still feels like winter throughout much of Yosemite. A series of late-season storms have increased the winter snow pack to about 140% of average for this time of year. Snow will be present on trails above 6,000 – 7,000 feet depending on the aspect. Generally forested and shaded areas as well as north and east facing slopes hold snow later in the year than more open areas.
Expect wet and muddy trails throughout the park. Please stay on the existing trails to limit resource damage and trail erosion. Always take caution crossing snow banks as they may be hollow or undercut. In addition, navigation may be difficult over snow covered areas as trails are not marked on trees, so be prepared and know how to use a map and compass.
With warmer temperatures creeks and rivers are running high. Use caution when crossing or fording creeks. Some creek levels may fluctuate with the day’s temperature; a creek that was passable in the morning may not be so in the afternoon.
Trails out of Yosemite Valley
Little Yosemite Valley is mostly snow-free with just a few patches of snow. The trail to Cloud’s Rest is snow free up until the 7,500 ft contour and then is 100% snow covered. The trail up the Merced River is mostly clear with patchy snow until the twin bridges area, after which there is significant snow coverage.
Trails are mostly clear to the top of the valley rims via the Yosemite Falls or Snow Creek trails. However, once past the valley rims, the trails quickly become completely covered with snow. Other trails leading to the valley rims will be free of snow until about 6,500 feet and then quickly become 100% snow covered.
Trails out of Hetch Hetchy
Rancheria Falls is open and clear; though expect to get wet from the spray from the base of Wapama Falls. Furthermore, the crossing from Tueeulala Falls is high so use caution when crossing. Continuing from Rancheria Falls, the trail is clear to Tiltill Valley which is completely flooded.
The trail to Beehive meadows is clear to within about a mile of the meadow, and then is 100% snow covered. Additionally, Frog Creek is very high and is especially difficult to cross. Access to Laurel Lake or Lake Vernon is therefore limited and not recommend at this time.
Trails out of Wawona
The trail up to Chilnualna Falls is clear. However, trails beyond the falls have 100% snow coverage.
Wilderness Center Hours
Yosemite Valley
Open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m
Bear Canisters are available for rent as well as a wide selection of maps and books.
Big Oak Flat
Opens for the year on May 14, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thereafter, it will be open 7 days a week with bear canisters available for rent as well as a wide selection of maps and books. Before May 14, wilderness permits are available by self-registration. This year, self-registration will be available at the campground office due to construction on the information station.
Wawona
Open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m
Bear Canisters are available for rent as well as a wide selection of maps and books.
Tuolumne Meadows
The Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center is closed until the Tioga Road opens for the season. Self-registration permits are available at the ski hut.
Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy road hours are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m daily. Permits and canisters may be obtained during open hours. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy past open hours.
Wilderness Permit Reservation Line
Permit reservations can be made 24 weeks to the day in advance of your starting date. The phone line is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 209/372-0740. For trip planning, general information and online permit reservations please visit our website http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm or the interagency website http://www.sierranevadawild.gov/.
Food Storage
Bear Resistant Food Canisters are required in all parts of the Yosemite Wilderness. Use a bear resistant food canister to store all food or scented items when left unattended. Whenever food or scented items are out, please keep them within arms reach, even while day hiking.
If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Maintain a safe distance while making as much noise as possible. Throw small stones or pines cones toward the bear, being careful not to strike the bear on the head. If the bear returns, repeat. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until it abandons the items.
HDケーブルは月末まではUPしないようです。
# The Half Dome cables will not be in place over the May 21-23 permit period. Snowpack in the Yosemite high country is currently well above average (134% in the Merced River basin), with the potential for additional cool, wet weather in the next week. As a result, the Half Dome cable route and subdome are covered in deep snow, making trail conditions poor. For the safety of National Park Service employees setting up the cables and for hikers, the cables will not be put up until conditions improve. We will monitor conditions over the next two weeks and issue an expected opening date as soon as possible. If you have a permit for May 21-23, you will receive a refund for the reservation fee.
(Learn more about the Half Dome hike. Please note that permits are required to hike to Half Dome on Fridays-Sundays and holidays beginning this year.)
# The Mist Trail from near Vernal Fall Footbridge to the top of Vernal Fall (and to Nevada Fall) is open. The John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the Panorama Trail (near the top of Nevada Fall) is closed for the season.
# The Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point is closed for the season at Union Point (no access to Glacier Point).
# The southern portion of the Mirror Lake Loop is closed due to a rock fall. (Access to Mirror Lake and Snow Creek Trail is still available, as usual.) Learn more about the rockfall.
# The trail to Wapama Falls is closed to stock (but is open to hikers) beyond the Beehive junction due to a rock fall.
「America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program」で、7月から発行されるUS25セント硬貨のデザインが発表されました。ヨセミテ国立公園のエルキャピタンです。
US各州の独自デザインのカリフォルニア州のコインもハーフドームとジョン・ミューアがデザインされており、ヨセミテは2種類のコインに描かれたことになります。
詳細はこちら
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/atb/?local=Yosemite
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/24/BAV61CKBDC.DTL
マリポサグルーブロードが3月26日朝から開通します。
売店やトラムツアーの営業はまだです。なお残雪や凍結箇所があり通行には十分注意してください。
----
Mariposa Grove Road to Open in Yosemite National Park
Date: March 25, 2010
The Mariposa Grove Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season tomorrow, March 26, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. The road provides visitor access to the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, the largest grove of Giant Sequoia in Yosemite National Park. The road is located near the park’s South Entrance, on Highway 41.
Commercial services within the Mariposa Grove will open later in the season. Additionally, tram tours will begin later in the season.
There is currently a 6,000 lb. weight restriction on the road. Visitors are urged to drive with caution as snow and ice may still be present on the road. The Mariposa Grove Road may intermittently close due to weather conditions.
ロワーパインキャンプ場は3月24日から営業開始。ノースパインキャンプ場も26日から開始です。
Lower Pines Campground will open for the season on Wednesday, March 24.
North Pines will open for the season on Friday, March 26th. Both are on
the reservation system. (M Carter 3/24/10)
昨年退任したMike Tollefson氏の後任に、公園管理所長としてDon Neubacher氏が就任することが報じられています。Neubacher氏は15年間Point Reyes National Seashore(カリフォルニア州)の管理所長を務めています。
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/03/BAKK1BRMQ1.DTL
NPSは今シーズン(5月〜10月)のハーフドーム登頂は、金曜日、土曜日、日祝日については各400名に制限するようです。(内訳:300名の日帰り、100名のウィルダネス宿泊許可)
3月1日からrecreation.gov もしくはTEL.1-877-444-6777で受付、1予約につき最大4名。手数料$1.5のようです。
今シーズン、ハーフドーム登頂をプランされている方は日程に注意し、必ず事前許可をとってください。
Yosemite National Park Announces Interim Program for Half Dome Day Use Permits to Address Visitor Safety
Half Dome Permits
Frequently Asked Questions about Half Dome Permits
ヨセミテ国立公園で、国立公園局と連携して学校団体を中心に宿泊型の環境学習プログラムを提供している「Yosemite Institute(YI)」という施設があります。(現在はNatureBridgeというNPOの一拠点です。)
http://www.naturebridge.org/
ヨセミテヴァレーから車で約30分ほどのClane Flatにあります。
ここでは日本ネイチャーゲーム協会が「ヨセミテ自然学校」というツアーをながく開催されてきたパートナー先でもありますので、ご存じの方も多いと思います。
この施設は第二次大戦前後の国立公園施設(CCCという、青年労働奉仕プログラムのために作られた)を利用して1973年から運営をされてきました。老朽化も進み、自然環境への影響やユニバーサルアクセスという観点からも現在の基準に合わなくなってきています。
そのため国立公園局(公園管理事務所)では2002年からこの施設およびプログラムの移転先や環境影響、その他の代案検討をスタートし、この度最終の報告書をまとめています。(結果として1.現状維持、2.現キャンパスの改善、3.新キャンパスへの移転 という3つのオプションが示されています。)
年月をかけて慎重なかつ多角的なプロセスで検討されたもので、施設関係の方々には参考になると思います。
以下のページから、多くの関係pdf書類にアクセスできます。(英語)
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/eecampus.htm
Badger Pass スキー場75周年のイベントが1月23-24日に開催されます。
http://www.yosemitepark.com/BadgerPass.aspx
http://www.nps.gov/yose/historyculture/places.htm
映像作家Ken Burnsによるテレビ・ドキュメンタリー「THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA」が、米PBS系のチャンネルで放映されています。
WEBサイトでは関連する映像コンテンツをみることができます。
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/
DVDソフトも発売中です。(このDVDは日本とリージョンコードが異なるので、日本用のDVDプレイヤーやPCでは再生できません。米国用もしくは「リージョンフリー」のDVDプレイヤーが必要です。)
このページの執筆者のひとり、Lee Vining在住のnanaeさんが、今シーズンはイースタン・シエラのJune Lake Loopでカフェ「The Sunrise Cafe」を開業していると聞いて、Tuolume MeadowsからTioga Passを越えて朝食に行ってきました。
地元産の野菜、パンを使った、ナチュラル・フード・カフェです。(イースタン・シエラではかなり珍しい!)
Lee ViningからUS395を南下すると、5分ほどでJune Lake Loopへの分岐があり、山側(西)に行きます。(ループですから、2ヶ所入り口があるのですが、北の方です。)15分ほど走ると、最初の湖Grant Lakeがあります。
湖畔の釣り用ボートの発着地点の「Grant Lake Marina」にカフェがあります。
蒼い湖を見下ろし、燦々と差し込む朝日をうけながらの朝食は最高でした。
新鮮な地元の野菜をたっぷりといただいて、nanaeさんともお喋りして、楽しいひとときでした。
さて「The Sunrise Cafe」の今シーズンの営業は残念ながらLabor Day Weekendの2009/9/6までです。
来シーズンの営業は(場所も含めて)未定とのことですが、イースタン・シエラの楽しみがひとつ増えました。