Skip to global NPS navigation
Skip to this park navigation
Skip to the main content
Skip to this park information section
Skip to the footer section






National Park Service Search Search
This Site
All NPS
 Open
Menu
Close
Menu
Explore This Park
Explore the National Park Service


Exiting nps.gov
  Cancel


Yosemite
National Park
California


Info
Alerts
Maps
Calendar
Fees


Alerts In Effect Dismiss
 more information on current conditions...
 Dismiss View all alerts


Contact Us
  Update for December 20, 2017
 December 20, 2017
Posted by: Laura and Rob Pilewski
**New snow:** 3 inches**Total settled snow depth:** 6 inches (at 8,600 feet)**High temperature:** 58°F (December 14)**Low temperature:** 17°F (December 19)
Ski Conditions and Weather
The winter rangers are back for lucky season number seven! This is our first post of the 2017-18 season. As we skied away from Tuolumne Meadows down the depths of Lee Vining Canyon last April, it finally set in what an intense winter we had experienced first hand. Now that we’re back, we look at everything from a new perspective with a mere six inches on the ground here in Tuolumne Meadows. Presently, the Tioga Road east of the park is bare from Lee Vining gate to Ellery Lake. Beyond there one can either walk and/or ski along the edges of the road/meadows. From Tioga Pass to just east of Tenaya Lake the Tioga Road is 95% snow covered.
Snow depths vary greatly with elevation/aspect with 4-6 inch depths around Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 feet) and up to 24-30 inches around Tioga Pass at 9,940 feet. This week saw unseasonably warm temperatures for three days, followed by cold temperatures and strong NE winds. Skiing on all aspects, subsequently, is sun and wind affected. As of this writing it is windy and snowing with a couple inches of new snow on the ground.View from Dog Dome on December 18, 2017
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions
Please refer to the **Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center** (ESAC) for the avalanche advisory for this part of the Sierra Nevada.
There is enough snow around Tuolumne Meadows to slide around on if one is creative. However, most southerly aspects at this elevation are devoid of snow. North facing aspects above 8,600 feet are snow covered. ESAC avalanche/snowpack advisory is spot on. North facing slopes are faceted, sugar snow with a melt-freeze/facet/wind slab sandwich on top in places. On more solar aspects, there appears to be a bit more stable of snow a snowpack with higher density snow at the ground and some faceting/melt freeze layers above. The avalanche hazard will increase with the new wind blown snow forming wind slabs over faceted snow at the higher elevations. The avalanche hazard is presently low at the middle and lower elevations. The ice, rocks and downed trees are the main hazard there!
Wildlife
We fell asleep to the sounds of a Great Horned Owl at Tioga Pass the other night and were greeted the next morning by the serenades of the coyotes in Dana Meadow. A flock of Dark-eyed Juncos was flitting around amidst the beautiful white snowflakes today. They appear anxious to take advantage of the bare patches of ground and seeds before they move down to the lower elevations
View of Gaylor Lake on December 19, 2017Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open. There is firewood and 8 bunks that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ***There is no phone service in Tuolumne Meadows at this time.*** We can be contacted via **email**, but we may be delayed in responding if we are on patrol. Contact the wilderness office at 209/372-0740 with any questions or concerns. Come prepared, and please make good decisions while traveling in the wilderness this winter.

Happy Winter Solstice!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Winter RangersSierra Wave over Mt. Dana
 Last updated: December 20, 2017
 Park footer Contact Info Phone: 209/372-0200 Contact Us
 Tools FAQ
Site Index
Español
 Stay Connected


This Site
All NPS 
  National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
 Accessibility
Privacy Policy
FOIA
Notices
Contact The National Park Service NPS FAQ
No Fear Act
Disclaimer
Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
USA.gov Facebook
Youtube
Twitter
Instagram
Flickr