Tree crews remove a fallen oak from NPS employee housing/NPS
An early-week snowstorm not only blocked access to Yosemite National Park for a while, but the heavy snow did substantial damage to buildings in the park's iconic valley, toppling trees that damaged facilities and were blamed for starting a fire in employee housing.
Trees downed by the snow damaged or destroyed 100 or more guest cabins and concessionaire housing units in the Yosemite Valley, park officials announced Friday evening. The series of snowstorms, which brought 18-24 inches of snow to the valley Monday through Wednesday and several feet to the park's high country, caused several trees to topple, led to power outages, closed roads temporarily, damaged park campgrounds, and forced the temporary closure of the park’s ski area.
A fire started in concessions employee housing when tree limbs fell on employee tent cabins, according to the park's Facebook page. Park officials could not be immediately reached Friday to determine whether the fire was caused by downed power lines, or if a woodstove was knocked over.
A park release did say that no injuries occurred during the storm, and park personnel worked long hours to clear roads, ensure employee and visitor safety, and keep utility and other systems operating during the significant winter storms.
Firefighters battling fire in concessionaire housing in Yosemite/NPS
Approximately 50 guest cabins at Half Dome Village and 50-70 concessioner housing units were damaged or destroyed. About 150 concession employees were impacted, and arrangements were being made to provide them temporary housing. All visitor services at Half Dome Village are closed while damage assessments continue and repairs begin. Upper Pines Campground was closed, too, as trees fell on restrooms in the campground and it is not safe for visitors. It is expected to reopen in the next several days. Yosemite Ski and Snowboard area was closed as well.
The National Park Service and the park concessioner were currently working together on damage assessments, alternative housing for employees, and repairing damage to park facilities. There is no financial estimate of damage or expected times that facilities will reopen.
Temporary road closures and delays may be possible over the next several days along Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 West), Wawona Road (Highway 41), and El Portal Road (Highway 140) inside Yosemite National Park. An incoming winter storm system could impact roadways inside the park due to heavy precipitation and snow at higher elevations, a park release added.
Yosemite National Park is open. Visitors planning trips to the park over the next several days are advised to plan for winter driving conditions. Tire chains may be required at any time depending on road conditions. All motorists driving in the park during the winter season are strongly encouraged to have tire chains in their vehicle. Temporary road closures may go into effect at any time due to road and weather conditions.
A tent cabin is crushed by a fallen tree (Half Dome Village is currently closed)/NPS
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Comments
Half Dome Village, formerly known as Camp Curry ...
So sad to see such damage to beautiful Yosemite. Mother Nature sure has a way of leveling us. Hope that all staff and locals are safe. See you on 21st February all the way from Australia!
Going to Aramark, Yosemite Hospitality, Travel Yosemite website, to find out any information about when Half Dome village will be available, is a waste of time. The morons have NO information on their website. They are still trying to attrack new reservations with a sham 3 for 2 night deal that cannot be obtained on the reservation site. Bring back Mother Curry.
we have reservations at upper pines March 21. Still waiting for any updates as far as reopening the campgrounds. Does anyone have any information ???
They can only take a guess as to whether or not they'll be ready. Depends on where. North Pines and Lower Pines seem to have more issues with flooding. Since it's a good snow year there's a chance that your selected site might be flooded.
You can call the Yosemite Valley campground reservation office at 209-372-8502. It's staffed by park rangers and they should have an idea of the expected conditions. You should be able to find a campsite somewhere in Yosemite that early in the year if yours if flooded.
Parts of upper pines was damaged by falling trees. Restrooms crushed. checking every day hoping it's open. Hopefully a break in the snowfall will help,with the clean up. Wish they could just give a for sure future date,givin how busy this camp is. But oh well. Has to be a government shutdown conspiracy!
I received this today. I had reservations for 3/25/19 for 5 days.
Dear Camper,
This email is to inform you that your reservation at Upper Pines Campground, in Yosemite National Park, is being cancelled and will be fully refunded. The campground is closed until at least April 12 and probably longer, due to extreme damage to facilities, including restrooms and campground features, caused by recent heavy snows. A great number of trees have fallen, creating large-scale destruction and unsafe conditions.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please sign up at go.nps.gov/campground to be notified when Upper Pines will reopen. You may call 209-372-8502 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Eric Bissmeyer
I had the same email. Absolutely gutted as had heard amazing things about half dome villge and are travelling all the way from New Zealand :(