If you are planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, especially to see the waterfalls, plan soon! The falls are diminishing quicker than normal due to the lack of snow pack and rainfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is always hard to predict, but in my opinion, the falls will become a trickle by mid-June. You can view a live cam of Yosemite Falls here: http://www.tranquilityimages.com/cams.shtml
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
Since this is a European travel forum, your warning, although timely, is not likely to hit your intended audience.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Actually, since the sub-forum is "beyond Europe" ... it's as reasonable as comments about Hawaii. Travel-hooked people want to know about everyplace!
(As a native Californian I have seen Yosemite in wet and dry years -- worth a trip anytime. Waterfalls are great. )
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
Patricia...this is "Beyond Europe"...anything is fair game here!
The people who contribute to this forum are very widely traveled and can give excellent advice on locations other than Europe - thus this part of the forum exists.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1288 posts
Steven- I am leaving this Tuesday and plan to do some hiking. Do you know if the trails up in the Tuolumne Meadows area are clear of snow? Thanks
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15576 posts
Steven, thanks for the link.
I've been trying to see the views, but because of the time difference (10 hours), I usually just see black (and stars) or early morning fog. I forgot how long the snow lasts in Yosemite.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
Connie - the Tioga Pass opened on May 4 but they just had about foot of snow in the Sierra's at the end of this past week. Several ski resorts in the Tahoe area and the eastern Sierras have extended their ski season when most were planning to close this past weekend. I would visit the National Park Service website to check if the pass has opened again. I also know that they are doing roadwork up there right now and that there might be delays. As far as snow in the meadows and on the trails, I would venture that there is still some but not enough to make it impassable if you have the right gear. If you are hiking further up out of the meadows towards Cathedral Peak or out towards the north I would definitely call first though. It has been a dismal winter for the snowpack in the Sierras and I know quite a few people who are heading up in the next couple of weeks to try some very unseasonal, early hiking!
Posted by
Everett, WA
1288 posts
Thanks Anita
Posted by
Placentia, CA
1059 posts
They are expecting a big storm this Thursday and Friday with snow.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15576 posts
More water, YAY!!
Yesterday I managed to see the webcams in daylight - the snow had completed disappeared.
Posted by
OP
Kingsburg, California, USA
137 posts
Connie and all,
The Tioga Pass road (Hwy 120) has reopened after the recent snow closure. Snow has melted off of Tuolumne Meadows but I'm sure there is still some snow on the trails making for slushy hiking. As Anita posted, snow is expected Thursday and Friday which could close the Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads, again. If the roads are open and little or no snow then I might suggest Cathedral Lakes, Dog Lake, or even May Lake. Clouds Rest is a fantastic hike but not sure of trail conditions at this time. I've only done this hike in the fall. Post your successful trip here so we can all enjoy. Have fun!