[pct-l] Tuolumne Meadows conditions update

[goslowgofar]

from the park's daily report:
   
  New Today
  TUOLUMNE MEADOWS WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE 
  April 11, 2007
  Weather: (April 4- April 10)
  High temp: 59° (April 4)
  Low temp: 17° (April 10)
  New Snow: 0" 
  Total settled snow depth: 0" 
  Ski Conditions and Weather: The ski season is rapidly drawing to a close here at Tuolumne. Warm afternoon temperatures, lots of sun, and no new snow have combined to melt all the snow around the ranger station where we traditionally measure our snowpack. Therefore, the "base" here at Tuolumne is officially 0 inches. There is, however, still snow in many places such as the main portion of Tuolumne Meadows, the slopes and bowls near Elizabeth Lake, and the upper reaches of Lyell Canyon. All the snow bridges are gone in most places, so river and creek crossings are a problem unless you either use a footbridge or want to get wet. In many places you have to take your skis off to bypass areas of bare ground and then put them back on once you reach snow again. Highway 120 above the road closure gate outside of Lee Vining has been plowed to Tioga Pass, so skiers entering from the east side will have 8 miles of bare pavement to either walk or bicycle prior to reaching the snow.
 The gate at the bottom of the hill will probably not open until April 27, just in time for fishing season. Farther west along highway 120, you will have to walk the last two miles or so to Tuolumne Meadows, as the road has completely melted out. Skiers entering from the west side should be aware that the park begins their snow plowing operations from Crane Flat on April 16, so the snow line on the west end of highway 120 will be changing on a daily basis, and you may have to bypass snow removal equipment if you ski in on a weekday.
  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 have begun to see quite a bit of bear sign in the area, leading us to believe that there are numerous bears out and about. Anybody doing backcountry trips in the area should be prepared to use a bear canister for their food storage unless they are staying at the ski hut. Birds seen in the past week include: Mallard, Northern Flicker, Mountain Bluebird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler, American Robin, Townsend’s Solitaire, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Red Crossbill, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, and Clark’s Nutcracker. 
  Questions: If you have any ski-related or weather questions feel free to call (209) 372-0203 or 8734 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. If we are out skiing, leave a message and a phone number so we can return your call. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers - 4/12/07)
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