Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | October 2022

Photo courtesy of @TravelsWithCarolyn

Recent News from Yosemite

Happy 132nd birthday, Yosemite National Park! On October 1, 1890, Yosemite was designated as the third national park in the United States. Yosemite’s captivating landscape inspired a nationwide effort to preserve public lands for the benefit of future generations of Americans. For more real-time updates from the park, follow us on social media (find links to all of our profiles here).

In other news:

• Normal traffic pattern to resume in Yosemite Valley: Beginning Tuesday, October 11, crews will remove traffic barriers from roadways and restore two-way travel between Yosemite Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. Sentinel Drive will be closed for the day starting at 8:00 am on October 11 to allow safe removal and transport of the barriers. Pavement re-striping and traffic control sign replacement will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 11 and 12. Please drive carefully and watch for laborers and equipment on valley roads.
• Mist Trail repair: The lower Mist Trail from the John Muir Trail (JMT) junction to the top of Vernal Fall will be closed as follows. The trail will remain open on weekends.

Monday through Thursday: October 3-6
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: October 11, 13, 14
Monday through Friday: October 17-28
Monday through Wednesday: October 31 - November 2

• Merced Grove trail closure: The Merced Grove Trail from Big Oak Flat to the giant sequoia grove remains closed until further notice. This temporary closure is needed to safely remove hazardous fuels surrounding the giant sequoias. High-severity fires have killed nearly 20% of all giant sequoias in the past two years in the southern part of the tree's native range. This closure is the first step in a prescribed fire project that will provide protection for the giant sequoias from future high-severity fire. It will also promote sequoia seedling germination.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy/Adonia Ripple

Ostrander Ski Hut 2023 Update

Ostrander Ski Hut will be opening for the 2022-2023 winter season! We anticipate that the Hut will be open from December 23, 2022 to April 1, 2023. Reservations will become available online at 9 am Pacific Time on November 16, 2022 at the link below. The cost to reserve is $50 per person, per night. Conservancy donors are eligible for a reduced rate; email us at info@yosemite.org to be notified by email when the discount code becomes available.

Ostrander Ski Hut attracts backcountry skiers and snowboarders looking to ski the steep slopes in the cirque above Ostrander Lake. Along the way, enjoy stunning views, including Half Dome, the Clark Range and the northern part of the park, including Hoffmann, Dana and Conness peaks.

The ski hut is approximately 10 miles from Badger Pass, and all routes require considerable stamina and cross-country skiing experience. It is not recommended for novice skiers.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy/Megan Orpwood-Russell

Celebrating Frederick Law Olmsted's Yosemite Influence

Ever wonder how Olmsted Point, a stunning vista on Yosemite's Tioga Road, got its name?

Frederick Law Olmsted was a public official, social reformer, and founder of American landscape architecture, and 2022 marks the 200th anniversary of his birth. In recognition of Olmsted’s role in Yosemite, Conservancy staff member Megan Orpwood-Russell wrote a guest blog as part of the National Association for Olmsted Parks’ campaign to honor his legacy.

Read on to discover Olmsted’s important influence on protecting Yosemite and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Photo © Oscar del Aguila

Legacies For Yosemite – Two Donors' Stories

From the 2021 Mariposa Grove boardwalk repair to the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, many meaningful projects were made possible by donors who included Yosemite Conservancy in their will or trust. The details of legacy gifts are sometimes deeply personal, but it is also helpful to Yosemite Conservancy when you let us know about your intended gift. Read our latest blog post for two moving stories from current legacy donors, and learn how you can realize your estate goals while supporting Yosemite.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy/Heather van der Grinten

Brand-New Bandanas

New product alert! Local artist Hanna Hedstrom worked as a park ranger for ten seasons, and much of her work is inspired by Yosemite. Our three new bandanas are 100% cotton and feature Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove, and Tuolumne Meadows. 

UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOSEMITE

While our peak program season is winding down, we will continue to offer naturalist walks in Yosemite Valley through November 19.

We've also got a few more weeks of daily art classes (every Mon-Fri) —

October 10-14: Watercolor with Zach Polic

October 17-21: Watercolor with Rachel Fisher

October 24-28: Watercolor Journaling with Elizabeth Butterfield

Or, check out these trips that offer unique and creative ways to experience Yosemite —

October 11-14: Art Retreat: Historic Architecture of Yosemite

October 20-23: Workshop: Autumn Light Photography

October 28-30: Day Hikes: Historic Roads

November 12: Day Hike: Day of the Woodpecker

Want the chance to see your shots featured here?

It’s easy! Share Yosemite photos with us on social media and tag your best shot with #yosemiteconnect. Winners will be featured online and in our monthly newsletter.