Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 58 TO 68 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...42 TO 52 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 27 TO 37 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...21 TO 31 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 64 TO 74 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...46 TO 56 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
FRIDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 31 TO 41 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 23 TO 33
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 63 TO 73 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...43 TO 53 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 72. West northwest wind between 5
and 9 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming east
northeast between 6 and 9 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East northeast wind at 10 mph
becoming west.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming east
northeast between 6 and 9 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming west
between 11 and 14 mph.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Comprehensive Interpretive Plan. These will explore two main topics: on
May 1st, we will look at the stories and issues that connect people to
Yosemite that we should focus on in interpretation; and on May 20, at how
this information gets distributed, both in the park and by outside
purveyors. All are welcome, and anyone involved in tourism -- from tour
operators to visitor centers to museums and others -- is especially
encouraged to attend, to help us all form a more coordinated network of
visitor engagement.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please contact
Tom Medema ASAP at the email address above or at (209) 372-0642.
If you are unable to attend we still welcome your ideas and comments, and
will be posting our progress on the web at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/cip.htm. (J. Nersesian - 4/29/08)
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The bike trial from the Lower Yosemite Falls Shuttle Bus Stop to the Camp
Six Intersection will be scheduled to be paved starting 4/21 to 5/9. Paving
is complete. Cleanup is underway. There will be some minor detours today
and tomorrow. (D. Tucker - 4/30/08)
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The Research Library will be closed April 24th - 30th. In case of a
research emergency, contact the Museum staff (372-0282 or 0297). (L. Eade -
4/21/08)
New Today
During the month of May, we will post a new bear fact/message each day. I
will try to get each days message to you the night before. Please post
this on May 1st:
The Senate has designated May 2008 as ‘National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife
Stewardship Month’.
In recognition of Bear Awareness Month, Wildlife Management has planned
several events throughout the month. Mark your calendars!
May 5th – Wawona Community Center, Noon – 2 p.m. Come meet the Bear Team
and learn about Yosemite bear management! We’ll be showing the movie,
“Bears of Sequoia”, a fantastic 22-minute film on the biology and
management of black bears in the Sierra. We will also have a booth set up
with plenty of fun stuff for kids!
May 8th – El Portal, Large Break Room. Noon. During the lunch hour we’ll
be showing the movie, “Bears of Sequoia.” Come eat your lunch and enjoy
this fantastic 22-minute film on the biology and management of black bears
in the Sierra. We’ll show the film at 12:00 p.m. and again at 12:30 p.m.
May 23rd – BEAR AWARENESS DAY!
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet the Bear Team at the booth on the Village Mall.
11 a.m. – “Bears of Sequoia” movie in the East Auditorium.
Noon – Powerpoint presentation, “Black bear biology and management in
Yosemite NP” in the East Auditorium.
2 p.m. - “Bears of Sequoia” movie in the East Auditorium.
Did you know?
There are eight species of bears in the world. These species are: American
Black Bear, Brown Bear (Grizzly), Polar Bear, Asiatic Black Bear, Giant
Panda Bear, Sloth Bear, Sun Bear, and Spectacled Bear. Of all of these
species of bears, a black bear has the greatest range of habitat types. (T.
Seher - 5/1/08)
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Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
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TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
April 30, 2008
Weather: (April 24 to April 30)
High temp: 62° (April 27, 28)
Low temp: 18° (April 25)
New Snow: 0”
Total settled snow depth: 6” as of April 30
Ski Conditions and Weather: This will be the last winter report this spring
as ski season is quickly drawing to a close. The snow is melting quickly-
there are large patches of ground opening up in the meadows, many long
stretches of bare pavement along the Tioga Road, and the snowplows are
quickly closing in from both sides.
The park plows are near Tenaya Lake, heading east. 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 go to
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm Caltrans has plowed to the
park boundary at Tioga Pass, but the road is still closed at the bottom of
the grade outside Lee Vining; it is unknown exactly when they will open the
road to the public. You can check the status of that portion of highway 120
at 1-800-427-7623 or http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
Backcountry visitors are reminded that bear canisters are required for all
overnight backcountry use in Yosemite from March 15 to December 15. 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 a week and
more often during weather events.
Wildlife: Birds seen in the past week include Mallard, Common Merganser,
Killdeer, Northern Flicker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker,
Black-backed Woodpecker, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Violet-green
Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Mountain
Chickadee, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Townsend’s Solitaire, American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, and Brewer’s Blackbird. The
Belding’s ground squirrels are coming out of their burrows for the first
time this spring. We also saw a pair of coyotes in Dana Meadows this week.
Animal tracks seen in the past week include Pine Marten, Chickaree,
Mice/Vole, and Hare.
Questions: If you have any ski related or weather questions feel free to
call 209-372-0450 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. If we are out skiing, leave
a message and a phone number so we can return your call. (Jeff and Kathi,
the Tuolumne winter rangers - 5/1/08)
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YOSEMITE VALLEY SCHOOL HAMBURGER LUNCH
On May 10th, 2008 from 11:30-2:00 Yosemite Valley School will be putting on
a hamburger lunch to fund the 6th-7th grade trip to Scotland this summer.
The cost is $6.00 for a burger, salad, and chips. Veggie burgers will also
be available. This will be near the Visitors Center in the Valley. If you
are in the area please stop by have lunch. Thank you for your continued
support of our school! (S. Pence - 5/1/08)
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Valley Housing Wanted: Part time park hiking guide/massage
therapist/acupuncturist/yoga instructor, responsible, friendly, easy going
woman looking for a room to rent(or long term house-sit) in the valley.
Love pets and kids, have none of my own, would be happy to help out. Great
references! Contact: Anna 206-200-6503, anna.wildance@yahoo.com (A.
Landauer - 5/1/08)
Park News
Yosemite News Release
April 29, 2008
For Immediate Release
Glacier Point Road to Open in Yosemite National Park
Road to Mariposa Grove Opened April 26, 2008; Tioga Road Plowing
Progressing Well
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson announced today that
the Glacier Point Road is expected to open to visitors Friday, May 2, 2008
at noon. Glacier Point is located about 30 miles from Yosemite Valley off
the Wawona Road, the section of State Highway 41 inside the park.
Restrooms along the road and the Glacier Point Snack Stand will be open to
visitors on Friday as well. Additionally, the Mariposa Grove Road opened on
April 26, 2008 for vehicles under 24 feet in length and under 7 tons. These
temporary restrictions are due to continuing wet and icy conditions on the
road.
No date has been determined for the opening of Bridalveil Campground.
Roadways may be wet due to ice and melting snow and wildlife is very active
on the Glacier Point Road. Visitors are advised to drive with caution.
An opening date for the Tioga Road (Highway 120 outside the park) which
crosses the Sierra Nevada through Yosemite National Park, has yet to be
determined. (-NPS-)
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Tioga Road Update as of 4/30/08
Tioga Road opening operations continued Tuesday 4/29/09
Tioga Road progress for April 29, 2008:
Ending Location: 32 miles from Crane Flat Gate (Pywiak Dome/Spring Hill).
Average Snow Depth: 3 Feet (one small bare spot adjacent to Tenaya Lake).
Status of Glacier Point road as of 4/30/08
Glacier Point road proposed opening date will be Friday May 2nd, 2008. (
pending any weather conditions or operational issues).
Lower Mariposa Grove Road open as of Saturday April 25, 2008 ( With weight
restrictions on road).
No shuttles allowed on Mariposa Grove road at this time. (T. Brochini -
4/30/08)
Announcements
Effective April 29, Camp 4 will be staffed daily by a ranger. As a
reminder, no day-use parking is allowed in the Camp 4 parking lot (cars
must be registered in Camp 4). (M. Carter - 4/29/08)
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Annual Wildland Fire Refresher Training
The Fire Management Office will be holding the following Annual Wildland
Fire Refresher Training Sessions. This training is required by all of
those employees that are "Red Carded" for fireline duties. If you need
this training, please try to make one of these sessions.
May 1-2 Hours TBD Crane Flat Helibase Contact Eric
Small/Jeff Pirog 379-1911/372-0414
May 23 0800-1700 Cedar Lodge Contact Bernard
Spielman 379-1903
June 10 0800-1700 Valley Fire Station Contact Jeff
Panetta 375-9515
Please bring you're line gear. We are exchanging all shelters to the new
style with reinforced top.
PACK Testing will begin in May. More information will follow.
If you need further information contact Deron Mills 379-1902 or Bernard
Spielman 379-1903. (D. Mills - 4/23/08)
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
HR Corner
DETAIL / TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY
The Project Management Division, Environmental Planning and Compliance
Branch is offering an opportunity for a 120 day detail / temporary
promotion (if qualified) to Environmental Compliance Specialist, GS-09/11.
This opportunity will provide the opportunity to learn about the practices
and procedures used nationally by the NPS to conduct and facilitate
planning and compliance activities. The position would allow an employee to
gain experience in elements of both the National Environmental Policy Act
and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This opportunity is open to permanent career/career-conditional employees
of Yosemite National Park. This is an interdisciplinary position that can
be filled by: Geographer, GS-150, Ecologist, GS-0408 or Resource Management
Specialist, GS-0401.
If interested, please obtain your supervisor's approval, and submit a
resume to Irma Keheley, Human Resource Office, El Portal, no later than May
12, 2008. (I. Keheley - 4/30/08)
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Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: April 30, 2008
The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov. This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
PERMANENT – NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAREER OR CAREER-CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Specialist
Vacancy Ann.#: PWRSEA-2008-45
Who May Apply: Agency Employees Only
Pay Plan: GS-0201-05/07/09/11
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/24/2008
Closing Date: 5/8/2008
PERMANENT – GOVERNMENTWIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Lead Forestry Technician
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 183954 WRB 08
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: GS-0462-05/06
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/16/2008
Closing Date: 5/7/2008
Supervisory Forestry Technician
Vacancy Ann.#: YP183955 NMH-08
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: GS-0462-08
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/16/2008
Closing Date: 5/7/2008
Engineering Equipment Operator
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 173531DR
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WG-5716-08
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/28/2008
Closing Date: 5/19/2008
PERMANENT -- STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Lead Forestry Technician
Vacancy Ann.#: YP-183953-AY FY08
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0462-05/06
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/16/2008
Closing Date: 5/7/2008
TEMPORARY – STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wildland Firefighter (Range or Forestry Aid/Technician)
Vacancy Ann.#: DOI-FIRE-2008-006
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0455,0462-02/05
Appointment Term: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 11/30/2007
Closing Date: 4/30/2008 (H. Whitman - 5/1/08)
Community News
Recycle Your E-Waste - Free electronic waste drop off at the Mariposa
County Fairgrounds. May 2 -3, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recycle your
old TV, monitors, computer towers, keyboards, LCD screen, laptop, printers,
copiers, faxes, calculators, speakers, cell phones, telephones, stereo
systems, DVD players, VCRs. Please no batteries, light bulbs, or household
hazardous waste. For more Information please contact the Mariposa County
Fairgrounds 209.966.2432 (C. Baker - 3/28/08)
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Argentine Tango Dance Class!! Taught by visiting instructors from
Argentina:Marcelo Molina y Carolina Vazquez
Sunday May 4th, 3:30-5:30pm, El Portal School Multi-Purpose Room
$25/person, 2 hour class, including a Dance Performance by the instructors
Bring: dance shoes with slippery soles (slippery socks work too!)
*No Partner Needed*
Sponsored by YEA and Balanced Rock Foundation - Questions? Call Myra
379-2540 (M. McKenney - 4/15/08)
Acting Designation
For the month of May, Mike and Kevin have asked me to backfill for Kevin
while he is on leave. I will continue my duties as AO from the Valley and
you can contact me there as needed. However, there will be times when I
may not be available to address some issues in Admin. During those times
please feel free to contact the following administration branch chiefs for
assistance. They have authority to make decisions and adjust
administration resources to meet your needs when I'm not available.
May 5th - 9th Dayna Jackson 379-1874
May 12th - 15th Dan Sohn 379-1173
May 18th - 22nd Lorene Schafer 379-1873
May 26th - 30th Skip Sheets 379-1195 (L. Harris - 5/1/08)
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Ansley Rothell will be the Acting Emergency Communications Center Manager
May 1-9. (N. Bissmeyer - 4/30/08)
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I will be out of the office starting 04/28/2008 and will not return until
05/05/2008. In an emergency please contact Brian Sprague at 379-1227. (L.
Sheetz - 4/29/08)
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Dave Miller is acting Supervisor for El Portal Roads & Solid Waste until
July 5th. Dave can be reached at 379-1120 or leave a message with Beth
Benitag @ 379-1057. (B.Benitag - 4//14/08)
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