Natural History Wanderings

Unlike the last month’s forecast of flooding, the extended forecast calls for warm weather indefinitely. As of May 1, the park had more than double the average amount of snow for this time of year. The combination of extended hot weather and abundant snow means the Merced River may remain above flood stage for some time.

Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and the Mariposa Grove are accessible by entering Yosemite via Highways 41 and 140. (Reaching the Mariposa Grove requires a four-mile round-trip hike with 500 feet of elevation change.) Hetch Hetchy and Hodgdon Meadow (but not other areas of Yosemite) are accessible via Highway 120 from the west. Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove Roads are closed.