Tuolumne Meadows conditions

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TUOLUMNE
MEADOWS
 
WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
April 14, 2010
 
Weather: (April 8 through April 14)
High temp: 53° (April 9)
Low temp:  3o (April 13)
New Snow: 14”                                       
Total settled snow depth: 53” as of April14                        
 
Ski Conditions and Weather:  This week was a mixed bag of warm, sunny weather and a windy, cold storm. We picked up over 4 feet of new snow since the beginning of April, not feeling very much like spring. The sun is out again but temperatures are still on the cool side. Trail breaking is still difficult since the new snow has not set up yet. The snow has a breakable crust on top and sticky soft snow beneath the crust. Another few days and it should improve. However the NWS is predicting more unsettled weather through the week, but as yet, nothing as big as we have been getting.  There is a very firm base underneath all this new snow, so when the snow does set up, there should be some fine spring skiing. The spring thaw has been put on hold due to our winter weather. Everything here is still encased in its winter cloak. Caltrans has started to plow Highway 120 from the east side (Lee Vining), so be prepared to walk the first several miles beyond the gate.  
 
  
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:  
 
We saw our usual Coyote, Pine Marten, Weasel, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, and many tiny rodent tracks.
 
We are still seeing the occasional Painted Lady Butterfly come through.
 
Birds heard and seen this week include Cassin’s Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, and Red Crossbills.
 
REMINDER: BEAR RESISTANT CONTAINERS ARE REQUIRED FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY .
  
Questions: We have no land line telephones or cell tower operating and the power is still out. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers).