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This past weekend Yosemite was offering free park admittance for the public, which I’m certain sounded like a great deal, until visitors realized they were driving into a trap.

Bus Inspections At Yosemite

Yosemite valley, California, USA

Yosemite Valley, CA– The California Highway Patrol in partnership with the National Park Service, recently conducted a surprise bus inspection at Yosemite National Park.

The inspection last Friday and Saturday, was planned in support of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week.

“Operation Airbrake” ran from September 11-17th and its goal was to ensure braking systems of commercial vehicles, including buses, are maintained properly and in good working order. As part of the week long campaign, the CHP’s Commercial Unit organized a bus inspection in Yosemite Valley.

The location was selected because nearly every tour bus that enters Yosemite Valley is required to drive on state highways or county roadways within the Central Valley.

Yes, I am glad to hear that CHP is working to make the roads safer for everyone. But I seem to recall that the last time they offered free entrance to the park, they were screening passengers for terrorism threats in unison with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The CHP says it plans to conduct more unannounced tour bus inspections in the future.

Yosemite offers free park admission from time to time, so if you plan to take advantage of the offer, just be aware, you could be driving into even longer delays and congestion on the valley floor.

Posting the weather on a day like today isn’t high on my priority list but I know first-hand just how unpredictable the weather can be this time of year and just how hard it to plan what to wear at these higher elevations.

I say that as I sit here, staring at a pile of folded clothing, resting atop a plastic bin – full of SUMMER clothing. Around about three weeks ago or so, the weather was warming up so much that we had lugged our heavy hurricane fans out of winter storage and had discussed preparing the air conditioner — only to have the heavens open up and dump more snow on us.

I haven’t heard any reports from the higher elevation just yet as to whether it is raining or snowing — snow is expected at 7,500 feet.  Here at 4,000′ The sky is overcast and gray making the leaves on the trees appear to be an eerie shade of green. I can’t help but stare out the window today, even though the sun isn’t shining and it’s drizzling rain, it doesn’t feel all that bad out.

Mymotherlode reports: No Weekend Opening For Passes

Sonora, CA– Due to another wet weekend, two area mountain passes will remain closed. Saturday, a quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain is expected in the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels will remain above 7500 feet with several inches of accumulation expected on Sunday. Highway 120 Tioga Pass remains closed. [read more...]

Locally, the weather remains the main topic for casual conversations, coming in second is pollen. The pollen isn’t as bad as it was about 3-years ago, if I remember correctly. The frequent rain and snow showers have helped keep the pollen count down tremendously.

I expect it to continue to rain intermittantly throughout the day. The temperature is currently at 46 degrees with little change expected overnight.

If you haven’t been to Yosemite for your yearly pilgrimage (and you enjoy the off peak season), this really is a nice time to go — grab a pair of sturdy (waterproof) hiking boots and get out in the fresh air. The falls are spectacular just now due to the heavy snowfall we’ve had this year. They keep the roads up that way pretty clear. It will be a little messy, especially around Camp Curry but if you take it slow and watch for icy patches, it’s a nice trip. (Remember to carry chains.)

The flower display along highway 140 can be quite spectacular this time of year.

And as if those weren’t good enough reasons to make the drive, consider this: Yesterday the National Park Service announced…

Yosemite National Park Unveils New Exhibit to Feature Early Visitor Photographs, Prints, and Artifacts

A new exhibit entitled “Views & Visitors: The Yosemite Experience in the Early 20th Century,” will open to the public on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.  The exhibit will be in the Yosemite Valley Museum (adjacent to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center) and will feature photographs, prints, artifacts and ephemera from Yosemite’s early years.

An Opening Reception will be held at the Yosemite Valley Museum on Tuesday, June 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend and food and drink will be served.

What a terrific opportunity to learn more about the history and local culture of Yosemite and those who settled this area.

There are major changes taking place at Yosemite National Park and I hope someone is paying attention.

I saw a post come through yesterday from the Calaveras County-based The Pine Tree website with an announcement regarding a formal settlement agreement having been reached on the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).

In addition, would be weekend and holiday Half Dome climbers at Yosemite will be required to obtain a permit to climb the cables for the first time. Safety issues were cited at the reasoning behind the change.

I attempted to read through the Litigation Update documents, but it’s going to take a great deal of time to read through them all to make heads or tails of the verbose dispute, which spans a decade.

If anyone has a working knowledge of the case, I’d love to read the Cliff Notes on it.