Yosemite Blog

Category: Environment

  • Researchers Solve Mystery of Orchid in Yosemite

    Biologists in Yosemite have solved an age-old mystery and discovered a new species of orchid, the Yosemite bog-orchid. USGS: “The Yosemite bog-orchid is an example of how both historic and contemporary plant specimens can serve to inform scientists and managers about the biological diversity of natural reserves,” said Peggy Moore, a USGS plant ecologist in…

  • Bear Activity

    Bears are currently active in all campgrounds around the park. Please be sure to store your food in approved, bear proof lockers. If you don’t feel comfortable putting your food in one of the public lockers you can rent or purchase one of the backpacker type storage canisters. HANGING YOUR FOOD FROM TREES DOESN’T WORK…

  • Let’s Go Catch Some Moonbows

    As a photographer, one of the most elusive subjects to photograph in Yosemite are moonbows. Though they may sound like it, moonbows are not a type of fish. Moonbows are rainbows that appear when moonlight strikes Lower Yosemite Fall just right. Unfortunately, until now photographing one has relied heavily on chance but that has all…

  • Yosemite’s New Sister

    Yosemite National Park has a new sister. This time it’s Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Recordnet.com: “Yosemite official and representatives of Chile’s National Forest Corporation on May 10 signed an agreement to cooperate on protection and management of natural resources. Typically, such relationships mean that rangers and scientists from the two parks visit…

  • Public Scoping for El Portal Road Reconstruction Begins

    Public scoping is now open on repairs the National Park Service hopes to make to the much degregated El Portal Road. NPS: “Yosemite National Park is announcing public scoping in preparation of the El Portal Road Reconstruction – Pohono Bridge to the Big Oak Flat Road Intersection Project. This project will be accompanied by an…

  • Judge Halts Yosemite Construction Yet Again

    An ongoing dispute between park officials and environmentalists has once again led to the blocking of renovation efforts within the park. This time the judge suggested the management plan that had been publicly reviewed, edited, and voted on for months was not “legally sound” and sent the Park Service back to the drawing board to…

  • Superintendent Tollefson and Conservationists Agree, Budget Cuts Are Hurting Our National Parks

    ContraCostaTimes.com: America faces a stiff challenge to prevent deterioration of its national parks because of tight budgets, park superintendents and conservationists say. Yosemite and other parks have slowed repairs on trails, roads and campgrounds, and reduced nature hikes because there are fewer rangers to lead them, park superintendents said Monday in a public hearing by…

  • Tioga Pass Cam Goes Active

    Have you seen the Tioga Pass cam? The cam was put in place by UCSD as part of the California Applications Program, a study to help better forecast weather and improve the accuracy of weather forecasts. The camera captures 4 times a day. Pretty cool. Technorati Tags: California, news, webcam, yosemite

  • Battle To Restore Hetch Hetchy Moves Into High Gear

    SignOnSanDiego.com: “An uncelebrated gem, Hetch Hetchy rewards visitors with towering granite cathedrals and cascading streams as postcard worthy as Half Dome or Vernal Falls. It is an escape to solitude, where even day-trippers can relish a true Yosemite experience without the bumper-to-bumper RVs and elbow-to-elbow visitors jostling on the main valley floor a mere 15…

  • We Can Pull The Plug

    Here’s an article showing how we can pull the plug on Hetch Hetchy and San Francisco will get along just fine. I’ve always believed the same thing. We are humans after all and we do adapt. Here’s the article. My Motherlode.com: “Researchers released a major study regarding the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, revealing that practical, reasonably…