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Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
#14998 06/11/11 08:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
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J
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Ok so i planned this out a long time ago and took off time from work but I just called yosemite ranger station and was advised "all of yosemite except valley floor is snow covered and concern of flash floods".

With that said is it too dangerous to venture out there? seeing that every mile theres a river,creek or what have you.

I plan on going somewhere..any other suggestions? I called kings nation forest and they have the same issue as well..


Last edited by John Prietto; 06/11/11 11:22 AM.

"God has not called us to be successful but he has called us to be faithful"- Mother Teresa
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15002 06/11/11 01:05 PM
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John,
take a look over at
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/list.php?3 and ask away....there are some real experts over there (Bill-e-g goes to Yosemite every weekend rain-shine-snow-flood...he is there now) They will give you some wonderful tips on what to do and where.


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
Bee #15003 06/11/11 01:32 PM
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Thanks, i posted a new topic on there already but only one good reply.

hopefully bill-e-g will see it and comment


"God has not called us to be successful but he has called us to be faithful"- Mother Teresa
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15005 06/11/11 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: John Prietto
Thanks, i posted a new topic on there already but only one good reply.

hopefully bill-e-g will see it and comment



A lot of them are up in the hill right now; you will probably hear more on Sunday night.


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15013 06/11/11 07:03 PM
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If you're just in Yosemite Valley, there's no problem whatsoever. The snow is very low still (maybe 7,000 feet) and, with the warm weather of the last few days, the rivers will rise significantly, but not "flash" floods. You'll know about it in plenty of time.

That's not true of the high country -- a hiking trip. There's really a lot of snow and travel would be very difficult and even dangerous with very high river and stream crossings where there are no bridges. You could get into Little Yosemite Valley without any trouble, but I wouldn't go much farther.

But the Valley itself will be terrific. I'd go.

George


None of the views expressed here in any way represent those of the unidentified agency that I work for or, often, reality. It's just me, fired up by coffee and powerful prose.
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15016 06/11/11 07:49 PM
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The water falls are going to be running in 'once in a lifetime' volume this year, so that alone would be be worth viewing (I plan on going next week, myself)


The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15018 06/11/11 08:51 PM
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John, three weeks ago, I called the same rangers regarding a hike to Half Dome, and got much the same tone. I was told at least three times by my ranger that she did not "recommend hiking Half Dome at this time." We went anyway, and had a grand time. Granted, the snow on the sub-dome was steep, and several people opted to turn back at that point. But it was not difficult, no ice axe or crampons were necessary.

The Yosemite telephone rangers speak to the "lowest common denominator" people, so warn everyone to stay away. They would get into hot water if they spoke positively, and then someone got hurt because "they weren't warned".

Years ago on a Memorial Weekend, I took a group down to Glen Aulin where we camped, and next day went down to view Waterwheel Falls. Pretty spectacular with all the melt! I recall we tried to shortcut cross-country from a point west of Tuolumne Meadows. It was a bad bushwhack through thick forest, with mostly snow. We took the trail out. I am not sure how much snow now covers the trail in that area, but I can assure you, walking over snow in June is not difficult. you would likely find lots of dry trail in between snow patches. Down by Glen Aulin, the river might be overflowing so the area could be a swampy mess. But then again, it might not!

My biggest point is, don't be afraid of hiking over snow-covered areas. It is not difficult.

As for stream crossings: With most streams, you can usually hike up or down stream a distance and find a fallen tree to use as a bridge.

Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
Steve C #15020 06/12/11 12:44 AM
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Definitely Look at Little Yosemite Valley to Merced Lake (7150) and beyond. Much is below 7000 and in three weeks it could all be clear. You should at least get a good out-and-back out of it, and lots of loops are available by going a little higher.


Wherever you go, there you are.
SPOTMe!
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15041 06/12/11 10:23 PM
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Just got back from Yosemite and the water levels are awesome. Worth going for sure!

One walk across the bridge at Wapama falls without stopping and I was completely soaked.

Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
RoguePhotonic #15125 06/15/11 07:43 AM
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waterfalls are still growing after a week of sunshine

this is the water depth chart for Happy Isles

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/wwapps/ww_chart.php?i=nwis&vt=uv&site_no=11264500&p_cd=00065

Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
Fishmonger #15127 06/15/11 07:59 AM
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If anyone could video the "once in a lifetime" waterfalls all over the valley and post them here, that would be a real treat.

CaT


If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracle of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.
- Lyndon Johnson, on signing the Wilderness Act into law (1964)
Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15148 06/15/11 01:41 PM
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Two very short videos:

Wapama Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls

Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
RoguePhotonic #15157 06/15/11 10:43 PM
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Not bad Rogue. They are better than nothing for those of us not there.





Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
John Prietto #15203 06/16/11 06:37 PM
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When I got to Wapama Falls a Ranger there said "welcome to the baptism". Such a fitting statement.

Yosemite Falls:


Re: Yosemite full of snow & flash floods..should I still go?
RoguePhotonic #15210 06/16/11 09:36 PM
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Nice picture, Rogue.

Almost the same place, Dec 23.


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