Tuolumne Meadows Conditions Update, March 18, 2010

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TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
 
WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
March 17, 2010
 
Weather: (March 11 through March 17)
High temp: 55° (March 15)
Low temp:  -1 (March 11)
New Snow: 11”                                       
Total settled snow depth: 56” as of March 17                        
 
Ski Conditions and Weather:  Spring has finally made an appearance in Tuolumne this week. After 11 inches of new snow on Friday night, the temperatures have started to rise. Of course this turned the new snow into a sloppy mess. If the warm weather continues this will eventually set up the snow for some good spring skiing. The snow that is getting full sun is set up nice in the morning and you can glide easily across it. The snow in the shade however is a different story. Still collapsible under your weight but this should continue to improve. Skiing in the afternoon can be a challenge due to the warm temperatures and the collapsible snow. For all you corn snow seekers out there, it still is not ripe. The coyotes are still howling, and the first of the spring bird migrants have started to show up. The Tuolumne River is finally starting to open up in spots. The most recent reports from the Lee Vining grade is snowline is still at the locked gate on Highway 120. However, as you head west, the sun is hitting the road hard and it won’t be long before the road is melted out on the first stretch up to Warren Fork.
  
           
Wildlife:    
We saw our usual Coyote, Pine Marten, Weasel, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, and many tiny rodent tracks.
 
New spring arrivals seen this week include Cassin’s Finch and Dark-eyed Junco. Other birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, and Red Crossbills.
 
REMINDER: BEAR RESISTANT CONTAINERS ARE REQUIRED FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY STARTING MARCH 30.
  
Questions: We have no land lines or cell tower operating and the power is still out. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers).