Fresno Bee: “Sun-blushed hikers lunch at picnic tables next to banks of snow. Waterfalls thunder and there are lakes where no lakes were before.
It’s an unusual beauty. While not exactly Christmas in July, it is at most early spring in the high Sierra this summer as a deep snowpack melts slowly.
But the unique conditions are taking a toll at one of the nation’s most popular national parks. Even experienced hikers who think they know Yosemite’s high country are running into trouble. It’s easy to lose trails when they’re covered by snow. Unseen snow bridges can collapse. People searching for a safe place to cross a swift stream can get disoriented.
Search and Rescue in Yosemite usually responds to an average of 193 calls a year. The total for last year was 216. This year, with the busy season just starting, the number of calls already stands at 79, the bulk of them over the past month. There have been more than a dozen incidents in the past two weeks alone, including one death and one man who hasn’t been found.
Rangers say that perhaps more alarming than the numbers is the type of people running into trouble.
“The common thread between a lot of them is that if anyone should be able to navigate the high Sierra it should be these people. They’re doing the right things. They’re prepared,” said Adrienne Freeman, a park spokeswoman.”
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Comments
2 responses to “Unusual Snow Pack Spells Trouble For Even Experienced Hikers”
Just back from a day hiking and photographing in the Tioga/Tuolumne area. (See http://outside.danmitchell.org/)
I can confirm that there are not many people in the mountains right now. I hiked out to Mono and Parker Passes and almost had the trail to myself. There was a vacancy sign (!) up at Tuolumne Lodge and there was still space in the campground at 8:00 p.m. – on a Friday.
While there certainly is an abundance of snow this year and, more importantly perhaps, a lot of water from the snowmelt, I think that some of the articles are a bit hysterical. I did have to cross or skirt some snow fields on my way to Parker Pass, but it was actually a very beautiful hike and the conditions were, at worst, only a nuisance.
On other hand, maybe we want to keep this a secret? I kind of enjoy the lack of crowds.
Dan
Well, I think it depends on precisely where you are talking about. The absence of people is notable, and fun or scary depending on the circumstances, but I’m sure there will be more hikers as the season progresses. But the snow is a serious hazard depending not only on the elevation but also on the environmental positioning of a given place.
Happy and safe hiking to all!
Harold