Apogee Photo Magazine

Yosemite After the Floods

by Bob Hitchman

Bob gives us a report on the damage to one of the nation's most popular parks.

The flood of the century occurred in Yosemite Valley during the first two days of 1997. Two days of warm and heavy rain melted the deep winter snow pack all the way up to the 12,000 foot level in the High Sierra. This brought down a deluge of water filling the waterfalls and flooding the rivers in Yosemite Valley. The Merced River, normally a hundred-feet-wide, at the most, was a half-mile-wide on January 2, 1997. Nine road bridges were washed out, thirty-three trail bridges were destroyed. Roads were washed away in places and severely undercut in others. Over 350 cabins and motel units were filled with several feet of water. Underground power lines were damaged and water and sewer pipes were destroyed. About half the campsites in the valley were damaged by the floods and will not be rebuilt in 1997. Upper River, Lower River and Lower Pines Campgrounds were in the path of the floods.

Yesterday, a week after Yosemite National Park was re-opened to the public, I made a short visit to check out the damage and do some photography. Even now, several months after the storm, piles of picnic tables, mountains of debris, and many fallen trees line the edge of the Merced River. River banks are undercut and bridge pilings are still wrapped with twisted logs and branches, although much of the park has been cleaned of the worst of the debris. On the river side of the paved road through the Yosemite Lodge area, yellow plastic tape has been wrapped from cabin to cabin, surrounding most of the lower section, keeping the curious away from the damage. At this point in the valley, the river was swollen so wide that it stretched from a point almost reaching the base of Yosemite Falls to the old Chapel on the far side of the valley–at least a half-mile.

The Yosemite Village was high enough to escape the flood waters. Ansel Adams’ Gallery, the Post Office, gas station, Visitor Center, the store, and the deli were not damaged. Trails leading out of the park, especially those following water-course canyons, have suffered some damage to foot bridges. In mid-March, snow still blocks some of these trails and the full extent of the damage will not be known until after the predicted heavy spring runoff. The foot bridge across the Merced River at Happy Isles was covered with logs, branches, and debris, so I did not hike the trail toward Vernal Falls.

Highway 140, the western approach to Yosemite was heavily damaged. Bridges were washed out. The asphalt pavement has been undercut by the high water and left hanging in mid-air in many places. It is predicted that Highway 140 from Merced through Mariposa, that follows the scenic river-route into the valley, will be rebuilt and reopened in May, 1997. Until then, only Highway 120, the northern route, and Highway 41, the southern route from Fresno into Yosemite, are open. Because of the heavy snow pack in the High Sierra, the Tioga Pass Road from the Eastern Entrance into the park, may not be opened until sometime in July. For recorded information on road and weather conditions in Yosemite National Park, call (209) 372-0200

Except for the lodging problems, photographers should not have any troubles in Yosemite. Some of the large oaks in the meadows have branches broken by the storm. There will be a few more fallen logs in the streams and the tripod holes on the edge of the Merced River at Valley View have been washed away. That area is under construction now. Normally-dry waterfalls are full and the trail to Mirror Lake is open. A few meadows are now covered with reflecting ponds where they never existed before. Some meadows have been washed of their top soil and a deep layer of sand covers some areas but spring will probably bring up new carpets of grass to hide it all.

This might be a good year to concentrate on photographing Yosemite’s high country. Stay out of the crowds in the valley and photograph Toulumne Meadows instead. Hike to May Lake and explore the eastern side of the park. Plan a horse-packing trip into the northern Yosemite Wilderness from Sonora. You may want to wait until the autumn colors peak in the valley and make your annual trip into Yosemite Valley in October.

Yosemite’s waterfalls are usually at their peak during the last week of May. That’s when most serious photographers are up there for the most awesome displays. The dogwoods are in bloom and the meadows are green. Most of the snow on the higher trails is gone by late May and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. If you are going to Yosemite this year, be advised that a temporary day use reservation system may be put into effect during the busiest part of the summer. Not only will campsites and lodgings be in short supply, but public parking areas are being used as staging areas for construction crews and as temporary campgrounds for park workers. Some of the tent cabins at Camp Curry will also be used as temporary housing for displaced park employees.

Make your lodging reservations early, like right now, if you want to visit and photograph Yosemite Valley this summer. Call (209) 252-4848 for lodging reservations. For campground reservations, call (800) 436-7275. For internet information: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Be aware of two other problems that may affect your visit. The entrance fee to Yosemite Park has been increased to $20 per vehicle. Golden Eagle/Golden Age passes can be used. A Golden Eagle Pass will now cost $50 per year.

The other problem that may affect your visit: A survey of the snow pack in the high Sierra above Yosemite Valley, indicates that the snow’s water content is at 200% of normal. There may still be more serious spring flooding in Yosemite Valley.

Have a great trip!

Robert Hitchman publishes the Photograph America Newsletter.