WawonaNews.com - December 2023
Wawona Hotel Holiday Season Schedule
December 15: Wawona Hotel reopens for the Winter Holiday
December 15: 5 p.m. Hotel Tree Lighting Ceremony
January 2: Hotel Winter Closure
December 15: Wawona Hotel reopens for the Winter Holiday
December 15: 5 p.m. Hotel Tree Lighting Ceremony
January 2: Hotel Winter Closure
New Wawona Listing
Thanksgiving Craft Fair
The yearly Thanksgiving Craft Fair once again was a big success and sold close to $4000 worth of items. Vendors came from the local area of Oakhurst. Many items were sold through the popular “Silent Auction” which are to help fund the Wawona School spring time field trip Washington DC. Food was donated by Yosemite Hospitality. As usual, Wawona resident volunteers did the planning, set-up and assisted the vendors, who donated a portion of their sales to the school. Special thanks to Katie Henderson, Pine Tree Market, the primary impetuous for the event. See everyone next year.
The yearly Thanksgiving Craft Fair once again was a big success and sold close to $4000 worth of items. Vendors came from the local area of Oakhurst. Many items were sold through the popular “Silent Auction” which are to help fund the Wawona School spring time field trip Washington DC. Food was donated by Yosemite Hospitality. As usual, Wawona resident volunteers did the planning, set-up and assisted the vendors, who donated a portion of their sales to the school. Special thanks to Katie Henderson, Pine Tree Market, the primary impetuous for the event. See everyone next year.
Free COVID-19 Test Kits
Starting Monday, Nov. 27, the Mariposa County Library will have free COVID-19 test kits for the public. Later next week, the branches of the library will also have these tests available.
Key things to know:
- COVID test kits are for at-home use.
- One kit per family member; each kit contains two tests.
- Available while supplies last.
- Library card not required.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, please try to send someone in your place to pick up the kits, to avoid getting library staff sick.
The test kits were provided by the state free of charge for the library to distribute. It is encouraged that tests are prioritized for those people who are uninsured, underinsured, or have poor access to medical care (including Medicare recipients, and those who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease), but tests can also be distributed to anybody that requests them. No questions about your insurance coverage status will be asked.
Insured? People can get 8 FREE or reimbursed tests each month through insurance (details vary, contact your plan). Read more about how people with insurance can get free tests
here: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/
Starting Monday, Nov. 27, the Mariposa County Library will have free COVID-19 test kits for the public. Later next week, the branches of the library will also have these tests available.
Key things to know:
- COVID test kits are for at-home use.
- One kit per family member; each kit contains two tests.
- Available while supplies last.
- Library card not required.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, please try to send someone in your place to pick up the kits, to avoid getting library staff sick.
The test kits were provided by the state free of charge for the library to distribute. It is encouraged that tests are prioritized for those people who are uninsured, underinsured, or have poor access to medical care (including Medicare recipients, and those who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease), but tests can also be distributed to anybody that requests them. No questions about your insurance coverage status will be asked.
Insured? People can get 8 FREE or reimbursed tests each month through insurance (details vary, contact your plan). Read more about how people with insurance can get free tests
here: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/
Left: Overcrowded riverbanks create a safety hazard and damage sensitive riverbank vegetation, allowing further erosion during the rest of the year. Right: A section of riverbank collapsed under stress from spectators during February 2017.
Yosemite Requiring Reservations for Horsetail Fall Event
SNO, Nov 20
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that creates the illusion that the water is on fire. The surge in visitation has led to full parking lots, parking overflowing into traffic lanes, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts causing safety issues, and damage to natural and cultural resources.
Day Use ReservationsIn order to manage visitor activity during this event, a reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 10th to the 11th, February 17th to the 19th, and February 24th to the 25th, 2024. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 19th) won’t need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on December 1st, 2023, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 23rd, 2024, at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 25th will be available.
Lodging ReservationsIf you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Campground ReservationsCampground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning February 9th through February 25th, 2024 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). There will be a 2-night minimum reservation requirement. Reservations will be released on December 15th, 2023, at 7 am Pacific time at Recreation.gov. If you have a campground reservation for Upper Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, or Wawona Campgrounds, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
More information is available here: go.nps.gov/faq.
SNO, Nov 20
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that creates the illusion that the water is on fire. The surge in visitation has led to full parking lots, parking overflowing into traffic lanes, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts causing safety issues, and damage to natural and cultural resources.
Day Use ReservationsIn order to manage visitor activity during this event, a reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 10th to the 11th, February 17th to the 19th, and February 24th to the 25th, 2024. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 19th) won’t need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.
Beginning at 8 am Pacific time on December 1st, 2023, 50% of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 23rd, 2024, at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 25th will be available.
Lodging ReservationsIf you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Campground ReservationsCampground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning February 9th through February 25th, 2024 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). There will be a 2-night minimum reservation requirement. Reservations will be released on December 15th, 2023, at 7 am Pacific time at Recreation.gov. If you have a campground reservation for Upper Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, or Wawona Campgrounds, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
More information is available here: go.nps.gov/faq.
End of Fire Season
Fire Season in Yosemite National Park is declared over once a season-ending event (defined as two or more inches of precipitation accumulation after October 1) has occurred. With the recent rain and snow, the threshold has been reached. Fire danger has been consistently "Low" over the past several days and more precipitation is in the forecast. Fire season has been declared over as of November 19, 2023.
The end of fire season has made residential pile burning permissible. Residential pile burning is important for reducing fire hazards and can only be conducted on permissible burn days. Property owners and residents must follow all burning guidelines. For a step-by-step guide to safe pile burning, please reference the attachment.
Thank you for a safe 2023 fire season and for doing your part to reduce hazard fuels around your building and properties.
Yosemite Fire Information
yose_fire_info@nps.gov
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Facebook @YosemiteFire
Twitter @YosemiteFire
Instagram @YosemiteFire
Fire Season in Yosemite National Park is declared over once a season-ending event (defined as two or more inches of precipitation accumulation after October 1) has occurred. With the recent rain and snow, the threshold has been reached. Fire danger has been consistently "Low" over the past several days and more precipitation is in the forecast. Fire season has been declared over as of November 19, 2023.
The end of fire season has made residential pile burning permissible. Residential pile burning is important for reducing fire hazards and can only be conducted on permissible burn days. Property owners and residents must follow all burning guidelines. For a step-by-step guide to safe pile burning, please reference the attachment.
Thank you for a safe 2023 fire season and for doing your part to reduce hazard fuels around your building and properties.
Yosemite Fire Information
yose_fire_info@nps.gov
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Facebook @YosemiteFire
Twitter @YosemiteFire
Instagram @YosemiteFire
Pile Burning Operations
Yosemite Fire crews are planning to conduct pile burning operations in three areas around the park this week. The first is along Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley, the second area is in the upper Mariposa Grove near the Washburn fire footprint, and the third is near Sentinel Dome at the radio repeater site. A map is available upon request.
The upcoming pile burning will dispose of cut materials generated by restorative thinning and defensible space work. These projects provide zones of reduced fuels, which promote healthier conditions for Black Oak and other species and provide protection for structures and popular visitation areas. The zones of reduced fuels also make for safer and more effective firefighting in the event of future unplanned wildfires and prepare the areas for possible broadcast prescribed burns in the future.
Pile burns are conducted under supervision of experienced fire managers who carefully evaluate and monitor conditions and work closely with the local air pollution control districts.
The smoke map can be found online at https://fire.airnow.gov and air quality and smoke information in Yosemite can be found online at: Current Air Quality and Smoke Monitoring - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Thank you for your continued support!
Yosemite Fire Information
yose_fire_info@nps.gov
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Facebook @YosemiteFire
Twitter @YosemiteFire
Instagram @YosemiteFire
Yosemite Fire crews are planning to conduct pile burning operations in three areas around the park this week. The first is along Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley, the second area is in the upper Mariposa Grove near the Washburn fire footprint, and the third is near Sentinel Dome at the radio repeater site. A map is available upon request.
The upcoming pile burning will dispose of cut materials generated by restorative thinning and defensible space work. These projects provide zones of reduced fuels, which promote healthier conditions for Black Oak and other species and provide protection for structures and popular visitation areas. The zones of reduced fuels also make for safer and more effective firefighting in the event of future unplanned wildfires and prepare the areas for possible broadcast prescribed burns in the future.
Pile burns are conducted under supervision of experienced fire managers who carefully evaluate and monitor conditions and work closely with the local air pollution control districts.
The smoke map can be found online at https://fire.airnow.gov and air quality and smoke information in Yosemite can be found online at: Current Air Quality and Smoke Monitoring - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Thank you for your continued support!
Yosemite Fire Information
yose_fire_info@nps.gov
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Facebook @YosemiteFire
Twitter @YosemiteFire
Instagram @YosemiteFire
Yosemite National Park to Require Reservations on Weekends for Natural Firefall at Horsetail Fall
Temporary vehicle reservations will be required during the final three weekends of February for the popular Natural Firefall at Horsetail Falls. For anyone entering the park February 10-11, 17-19 and 24-25, a vehicle reservation from Recreation.gov will be required to enter the park.
The first 50% of reservations of temporary Vehicle Reservations for each weekend day will become available on December 1, 2023, at 8 am PST on Recreation.gov. The final 50% of reservations will become available two days prior to at 8 am. For example, if a person wishes to visit Yosemite on February 10, the remaining reservations will become available on recreation.gov at 8 am on February 8.
All Yosemite vehicle passes are good for 7 days and all visitors still must pay the $35 entrance fee or present a lifetime or annual pass. Passholders must still make a temporary vehicle reservation to enter the park.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN ADVANCE VEHICLE RESERVATION IF STAYING OVERNIGHT INSIDE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.
Those exempt from needing a temporary vehicle reservation are lodging reservation holders in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Forest and Yosemite West. All operating campgrounds in Yosemite will require a camping reservation. Those with camping reservations also do not need to obtain a temporary vehicle reservation to enter Yosemite.
Access to Badger Pass Ski Area was not mentioned by the National Park Service in this update or on its FAQ page. YMCTB will be seeking clarity on if Badger Pass season pass holders will require a temporary vehicle reservation on required weekends.
YMCTB anticipates that information regarding a vehicle reservation summer pilot program for Yosemite National Park will be provided soon.
Temporary vehicle reservations will be required during the final three weekends of February for the popular Natural Firefall at Horsetail Falls. For anyone entering the park February 10-11, 17-19 and 24-25, a vehicle reservation from Recreation.gov will be required to enter the park.
The first 50% of reservations of temporary Vehicle Reservations for each weekend day will become available on December 1, 2023, at 8 am PST on Recreation.gov. The final 50% of reservations will become available two days prior to at 8 am. For example, if a person wishes to visit Yosemite on February 10, the remaining reservations will become available on recreation.gov at 8 am on February 8.
All Yosemite vehicle passes are good for 7 days and all visitors still must pay the $35 entrance fee or present a lifetime or annual pass. Passholders must still make a temporary vehicle reservation to enter the park.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN ADVANCE VEHICLE RESERVATION IF STAYING OVERNIGHT INSIDE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.
Those exempt from needing a temporary vehicle reservation are lodging reservation holders in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Forest and Yosemite West. All operating campgrounds in Yosemite will require a camping reservation. Those with camping reservations also do not need to obtain a temporary vehicle reservation to enter Yosemite.
Access to Badger Pass Ski Area was not mentioned by the National Park Service in this update or on its FAQ page. YMCTB will be seeking clarity on if Badger Pass season pass holders will require a temporary vehicle reservation on required weekends.
YMCTB anticipates that information regarding a vehicle reservation summer pilot program for Yosemite National Park will be provided soon.
Yosemite Road Condition Information - CALL THE ROAD TAPE
To obtain the latest and most current information on road conditions in Yosemite National Park, please follow the following steps:
Call the Yosemite Road Tape, 209-372-0200
Press option 1
Press option 1 again.
Please note that calling Yosemite Dispatch will not provide you with different information and you will be directed to call the road tape number above. For road information outside Yosemite please contact Caltrans. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. (C Mitchell)
To obtain the latest and most current information on road conditions in Yosemite National Park, please follow the following steps:
Call the Yosemite Road Tape, 209-372-0200
Press option 1
Press option 1 again.
Please note that calling Yosemite Dispatch will not provide you with different information and you will be directed to call the road tape number above. For road information outside Yosemite please contact Caltrans. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. (C Mitchell)
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 14 2023
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of October 10.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
First Interim Report
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 14 2023
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of October 10.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- THE BOARD WILL SET A MEETING DATE TO REVIEW BOARD GOVERNANCE PROTOCOLS
INFORMATION ITEMS
- LCAP MID-YEAR REPORT
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
First Interim Report
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
