High Sierra Topix

Headed to Wyoming for this summer. When I was there a few years ago, it was warmer and drier than I have ever experienced- really low lake levels and warm water and algae blooms - rare for that area. Wyoming is headed for a normal to above normal snowpack, so I am looking forward to lots of water and snow. Last time I was in Wyoming the last third of my summer was marred by the Alpine Lake fire, one of the biggest in years. This summer I had to deal with smoke from the Rim Fire here. I seem to have had bad luck with timing of my trips and fires.

I still will get in a few early trips in the Sierra in June and perhaps a few late trips in Sept-Oct provided that the entire range is not shut down due to fire danger.

It's getting spooky in the woods.

If the drought continues the hiking season may be short. If the woods are dry enough a closure could be enacted by late July or so.

I have only a few patches of snow in my yard. in a normal year I'd have a couple feet. On the plus side the loggers are loving it. They are still harvesting in January. You rarely see that.
No soil disturbance problems -- it's all frozen.

Slight misting at the moment on the Elk Grove-South Sacramento boundary. It drizzled for about an hour and is slowing. There isn't much more than a wet ground, but my hope is that this might collapse that high pressure cell and open the storm door for following systems to move further south!

Are there precedents to a closure of the national parks/wilderness areas due to fire risk? How much notice would be given?
Dancing , dancing .... (but I'm in the wrong place!) (dry here too).

It has been raining in Bishop since 3:00 am!!!

Forecasts have been building for the coming event for over a week now. And indeed we in the central and northern parts of the state will get the first big soaking rains since last February. The two small storms this last week have nicely wetted the ground surfaces so waters will more easily soak in instead of flow over. Has got me back into more serious exercising and this weekend will be dragging my skis and boots downstairs at least to look at.

Has anyone talked about glaciers ?? We have the southern-most glaciers in the northern hemisphere, but not for long? Someone did a PhD on the pattern of glacier retreat in the Sierra over the last 100 years. They are shrinking fast. Really fast. I would get more glacier experience under my belt before I have to go to the Rockies for it. ***

rcymbala wrote:Has anyone talked about glaciers ?? We have the southern-most glaciers in the northern hemisphere, but not for long?

Not quite true. You're forgetting about the glaciers in Mexico, the Caucasus, the Himalayas and of course the Andes. Here's a helpful map:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3056/pdf/f ... 56_508.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;