BGW
Mar 25, 2006, 08:57 PM
It's gonna be another great year for Moon-bows!! First fullmoon...March 29th!!!
MercedSunStar.com
Gawkers expected in droves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Laura Cook
LCOOK@MERCEDSUN-STAR.COM
Spectacular waterfalls, gorgeous wildflowers, warm air and clear skies are expected to draw many visitors to Yosemite this spring.
The waterfalls will have larger flow levels than average due to the amount of snow melting, said Adrienne Freeman, a ranger at Yosemite National Park.
The snowpack in Yosemite's mountains is 150 percent above what is normal for this time of year, which may keep the waterfall flow levels high through April and May, said Freeman.
"We have had a great deal of precipitation, but the variable warming and cooling trends has made it so some of the snow has melted, so we have already had some fairly high peaks in the water flows," said Freeman.
Freeman said this is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit the park, but the number of tourists will depend on weather in coming weeks.
"Late March through April and early May are definitely among the most variable months," said Freeman. "That's one of the things that makes this place incredible because it's constantly changing."
Right now, there is patchy snow on the valley floor, but Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley is open, said Freeman. Hodgdom Meadow and Wawona campgrounds outside of the valley are also open.
"It's an amazing time of year to be here," said Freeman. "It's a great time to get up here and see all the water.
"It's a cool time of year, the wildflowers are starting to come out at lower elevations, and the waterfalls are just magnificent."
There is a storm expected Saturday, but snow isn't expected to fall below 5,000 feet, according to Jim Dudley of the National Weather Service Hanford office. Another storm is expected Monday night and Tuesday.
Once the storms pass, people will go to the park to hike and sightsee, said Freeman. It's also a good time of year to go to Yosemite and take pictures or paint, she said.
Open-air trams will be up and running as soon as it heats up and tour guides will be prepared to elaborate on the park's wonders within a few weeks, said Freeman.
Rangers are currently taking visitors on walks through the valley at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Merced Travel Counselor Teresa Thomas, of the Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau, expects an increase in the number of people traveling through Merced due to the large waterfalls in Yosemite and flows in the Merced and San Joaquin rivers.
"Every time we have better snow and the rivers run wild, we get all these crazy people who want to go on the rapids," said Thomas.
He said many travelers are interested in backpacking through the park and inquire about trails in the high country.
"It's really exciting what they come here to do," said Thomas.
He also said it's common for people to stay at hotels and motels in Merced and use Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System buses (YARTS) to get to the park.
Tickets are $20 a person round trip. Children 16 and under are free with every paying adult, and additional children are $10. Until the end of April, seniors can pay $10 round trip, but after April, it's $14 for seniors, said Thomas.
It's $20 a car to get into the park and passes are valid for seven days. Seven-day passes are $10 for a person on foot, a bike, or a motorcycle and for those 17 and older on buses. It's $40 for a year pass.
Freeman said it's a great time of year for area residents to visit the park, since tourism will most likely peak during June, July and August.
"I think people enjoy the cooler temperatures," said Freeman. "I think people especially from the area should really take advantage of this."
Call the Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau at 384-2791 or visit www.nps.gov/yose/home.htm (http://www.nps.gov/yose/home.htm) for more information.
Number of tourists in '05
January 94,935
February 106,409
March 147,133
April 200,468
May 309,158
June 425,105
July 568,700
August 491,114
September 439,631
October 328,244
November 158,677
December 114,909
Total 3,384,483
Reporter Laura Cook can be reached at 385-2417 or lcook@mercedsun-star.com.
Posted on 03/25/06 00:30:00
http://www.mercedsun-star.com/local/story/11975788p-12737947c.html
MercedSunStar.com
Gawkers expected in droves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Laura Cook
LCOOK@MERCEDSUN-STAR.COM
Spectacular waterfalls, gorgeous wildflowers, warm air and clear skies are expected to draw many visitors to Yosemite this spring.
The waterfalls will have larger flow levels than average due to the amount of snow melting, said Adrienne Freeman, a ranger at Yosemite National Park.
The snowpack in Yosemite's mountains is 150 percent above what is normal for this time of year, which may keep the waterfall flow levels high through April and May, said Freeman.
"We have had a great deal of precipitation, but the variable warming and cooling trends has made it so some of the snow has melted, so we have already had some fairly high peaks in the water flows," said Freeman.
Freeman said this is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit the park, but the number of tourists will depend on weather in coming weeks.
"Late March through April and early May are definitely among the most variable months," said Freeman. "That's one of the things that makes this place incredible because it's constantly changing."
Right now, there is patchy snow on the valley floor, but Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley is open, said Freeman. Hodgdom Meadow and Wawona campgrounds outside of the valley are also open.
"It's an amazing time of year to be here," said Freeman. "It's a great time to get up here and see all the water.
"It's a cool time of year, the wildflowers are starting to come out at lower elevations, and the waterfalls are just magnificent."
There is a storm expected Saturday, but snow isn't expected to fall below 5,000 feet, according to Jim Dudley of the National Weather Service Hanford office. Another storm is expected Monday night and Tuesday.
Once the storms pass, people will go to the park to hike and sightsee, said Freeman. It's also a good time of year to go to Yosemite and take pictures or paint, she said.
Open-air trams will be up and running as soon as it heats up and tour guides will be prepared to elaborate on the park's wonders within a few weeks, said Freeman.
Rangers are currently taking visitors on walks through the valley at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Merced Travel Counselor Teresa Thomas, of the Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau, expects an increase in the number of people traveling through Merced due to the large waterfalls in Yosemite and flows in the Merced and San Joaquin rivers.
"Every time we have better snow and the rivers run wild, we get all these crazy people who want to go on the rapids," said Thomas.
He said many travelers are interested in backpacking through the park and inquire about trails in the high country.
"It's really exciting what they come here to do," said Thomas.
He also said it's common for people to stay at hotels and motels in Merced and use Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System buses (YARTS) to get to the park.
Tickets are $20 a person round trip. Children 16 and under are free with every paying adult, and additional children are $10. Until the end of April, seniors can pay $10 round trip, but after April, it's $14 for seniors, said Thomas.
It's $20 a car to get into the park and passes are valid for seven days. Seven-day passes are $10 for a person on foot, a bike, or a motorcycle and for those 17 and older on buses. It's $40 for a year pass.
Freeman said it's a great time of year for area residents to visit the park, since tourism will most likely peak during June, July and August.
"I think people enjoy the cooler temperatures," said Freeman. "I think people especially from the area should really take advantage of this."
Call the Merced Conference and Visitors Bureau at 384-2791 or visit www.nps.gov/yose/home.htm (http://www.nps.gov/yose/home.htm) for more information.
Number of tourists in '05
January 94,935
February 106,409
March 147,133
April 200,468
May 309,158
June 425,105
July 568,700
August 491,114
September 439,631
October 328,244
November 158,677
December 114,909
Total 3,384,483
Reporter Laura Cook can be reached at 385-2417 or lcook@mercedsun-star.com.
Posted on 03/25/06 00:30:00
http://www.mercedsun-star.com/local/story/11975788p-12737947c.html