Visitors are required to have a permit to ascend the Half Dome cables seven days per week.  The majority of the permits were distributed through a lottery system that ended in March.  However, approximately 50 permits per day are available through a two day in advance lottery.  Visitors without a Half Dome permit wishing to hike the cables may enter the lottery two days in advance of their planned day hike by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.  For more information regarding the lottery and the Half Dome cables, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm.

The trail to Half Dome from Yosemite Valley is an extremely strenuous hike covering over 17 miles. Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation along the trail that passes highlights such as Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, before reaching the cables on Half Dome’s steep granite shoulder. Metal cables and wooden planks are placed along the steep shoulder of the dome to assist hikers to the summit.

Visitors are advised to take appropriate precautions when planning a hike of this length and difficulty, and to be prepared for changing weather and trail conditions. Thunder and lightning are common occurrences in the High Sierra during the summer and fall seasons.  Hikers should not attempt to summit Half Dome when rain or thunderstorms are forecasted and are advised to use extreme caution when the rocks are wet.

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http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams/yosemite-falls

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The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season tomorrow, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. for all vehicular traffic. The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by State Highway 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada.  Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road.  Limited visitor services will be available over the next several weeks.

Due to a light snowpack this past winter (approximately 50% of normal), the Tioga Road was able to be cleared of snow early into the summer season.  Snow and icy conditions may still exist on hiking trails at the higher elevations.  Visitors are urged to be prepared for snowy conditions and possible treacherous stream crossings while hiking the backcountry in the early season.

All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed.  All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed.  There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time.

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Stensby, 73, from Edina, Minnesota, had been in the park for several days.  He was staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel and went on day hikes each day.  Each morning, Stensby would leave a note with the Concierge, outlining his daily plan.  On Sunday, May 5, his note stated that he was planning to hike to the top of Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail and return to the hotel around noon.  Hotel staff attempted to contact Stensby around 5:00 p.m. that evening, and discovered he had not returned.  They contacted the National Park Service to notify Park Rangers that Stensby had not returned to the hotel.  Park Rangers discovered his backpack near the guardrail at the top of Vernal Fall later that evening.

Yesterday, the park conducted a full scale search and rescue operation, including multiple ground teams, a dog team, and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter.  The search area was concentrated around the Mist Trail.  There was intermittent rain throughout the day, resulting in difficult search conditions.  The CHP helicopter, concurrently with ground teams, spotted Stensby’s body around 6:00 p.m. last evening.

The Mist Trail, closed during the search and rescue operation, has now been reopened.

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Kenneth Stensby, 73, set off
on a day hike to Vernal Fall Sunday Morning May 5

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The Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season Friday, May 3, 2013, at 12:00 p.m.  There will be limited visitor services available at Glacier Point.  Vault toilets will be available, and there will be no running water.  There is no projected opening date for the Bridalveil Creek Campground.

Visitors are urged to drive slowly and with caution, as wildlife may be present on or near the roadway.  Additionally, road surfaces may be wet due to snow melt.

The Tioga Road is tentatively scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

For up to date, 24 hour road and weather information, please call 209-372-0200

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“Yosemite has inspired artists, painters, photographers, writers and performers for more than 150 years to create works that portray the park’s iconic landscape, wildlife and people. Yosemite Conservancy not only supports art and theater programs that carry on that tradition, but fees from these programs go to important restoration and protection work in the park supported by our organization,” said Mike Tollefson, president, Yosemite Conservancy. “Art and theater programs provide entertaining, compelling and creative ways to enrich the visitor experience and encourage stewardship of the park.”

From April 8 through October 19, professional artists will lead adult Yosemite Art Center sessions held outdoors for all skill levels. In addition, inspiring new programs will be held in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and at the Thomas Hill Studio in Wawona from June 3 through August 31. Some of the workshops offered are Fun with Watercolor, Create Your Own Art Postcard and Adventures in Ink. The Yosemite Art Center will also host kids-only hour-long sessions from June 17 through August 15 in the morning for ages 6-10 and 90-minute sessions for kids 11 and older in the afternoon. Sessions for both adults and children are $10 per person.

Yosemite Theater LIVE! kicks off the season April 12 with Return to Balance presented by famed climber Ron Kauk. The park’s cultural history and adventure comes to life as Park ranger Shelton Johnson reprises his role as an African-American cavalryman patrolling Yosemite’s wilderness in the early 20th century. Actor Lee Stetson portrays John Muir in adventures about Yosemite wildlife and his dramatic battle to preserve Hetch Hetchy Valley. Filmmaker Steven Bumgardner gives a behind the scenes look into his wildly popular Yosemite Nature Notes series on the park’s natural phenomena and history. The Yosemite Search & Rescue Ranger team will share thrilling stories and cautionary advice with photography from actual Yosemite rescue operations.

“Because of Yosemite Conservancy support, people of all ages and abilities have an opportunity to experience the park in unique and memorable ways through art, live performances and cultural programs,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher.

Yosemite Theater LIVE! performances are held seven nights a week at 7 p.m. at the Yosemite Theater behind the Valley Visitors Center. Specific dates and additional details can be found at www.yosemiteconservancy.org. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 13, and children under 4 are free. Tickets are available at Yosemite Conservancy Bookstores and at Tour & Activity Desks.

Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration. The Conservancy is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering and wilderness services. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $75 million in grants to Yosemite National Park. Learn more at yosemiteconservancy.org or call 1-800-469-7275.

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 Yosemite Conservancy unveiled an exciting line-up of Outdoor Adventures for 2013 that give visitors a rare opportunity to experience Yosemite National Park’s glorious backcountry, wilderness, geology, art and culture in small groups led by renowned experts.

“Professional photographers, artists, naturalists and historians lead our Outdoor Adventures to provide visitors of all ages and wilderness experience levels with an unforgettable experience in Yosemite National Park,” said Mike Tollefson, president of Yosemite Conservancy. More than 45 Outdoor Adventures are being offered in 2013 spanning the entire park geography. Each adventure is limited to 15 participants. Proceeds from Outdoor Adventures are poured into important restoration and protection work that Yosemite Conservancy supports in the park.

This year, the Conservancy added more dates for popular programs that usually sell out such as backpacking trips to Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, which Tollefson said are “perfect for first time backpackers in good shape.” For less traveled routes, there is a backpacking excursion to Lyell Glacier, an exhilarating opportunity to experience a glacier in Yosemite National Park. Another hike involves viewing and learning about the park’s incredible wildflowers. Photography programs with noted experts like Keith Walklet, John Senser and Dave Wyman focus on capturing Yosemite’s changing seasonal splendor, rainbows captured at night known as moonbows, high country waterfalls and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

“Yosemite Conservancy’s Outdoor Adventures create a deeper connection between visitors and the park, which encourages stewardship of this one-of-kind natural treasure,” said Don Neubacher, Superintendent of Yosemite National Park.

Other programs include family camping and nature explorations in Tuolumne Meadows, learning about Yosemite’s eleven species of woodpeckers, sketching in watercolor and learning to weave a Miwok-Paiute Indian basket. There’s even a day hike in Yosemite Valley exploring where John Muir lived and worked led by Muir’s great-great grandson and a Muir actor.

Custom adventures are also available for groups, families or individuals ranging from gentle one hour hikes to challenging treks. Register for an Outdoor Adventure or inquire about a customized experience at www.YosemiteConservancy.org/Adventures or 209-379-2646 ext. 10.

Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration. The Conservancy is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering and wilderness services. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $75 million in grants to Yosemite National Park. Learn more at yosemiteconservancy.org or call 1-800-469-7275.

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Half Dome cables day use permits for the 2013 hiking season will be available for reservation starting tomorrow, Friday, March 1, through Sunday, March 31, 2013.  Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are required seven days per week and reservations will be distributed via a lottery system.  Successful parties will be notified in early April.  A maximum of 300 hikers will be allowed on the Half Dome cables per day.

Reservations for the permits can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Approximately 50 subsequent daily permits will be available each day by lottery during the hiking season.  These permits are made available based on the average number of no-shows and cancellations from the pre-season lottery.  The permits must be applied for two days in advance of the desired hiking date.  Reservations for the two-day in advance permits can also be made through www.recreation.gov.

Hiking to the top of Half Dome is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park.  The iconic granite monolith, at 8,842 feet above sea level, attracts people from all over the world who attempt to climb to the summit.  Most visitors ascend Half Dome via the cables, which are typically in place from mid-May through mid-October.  Most visitors begin and end their hike at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley.  This is an approximately 17 mile round-trip journey.

To learn more about the Half Dome hike please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

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Tioga Road plowing, April 25, 2013

Last update: May 3, 2013
Glacier Point Road: Opened on May 3.

Tioga Road: Tentative opening date of May 11. Bicycles will not be allowed on the Tioga Road prior to the road opening because of rock debris and snow plow operations, which make the roadway unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Dates listed above are contingent upon safety of the park crews and on conditions. Any spring storms would result in road crews being diverted to keeping other roads open and may delay opening of the Tioga and/or Glacier Point Roads.

For up to date, 24 hour road and weather information, please call 209-372-0200.

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