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Visibility

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 4:13 pm
by bbmq
What is the overall air quality and visibility like right now? I am seriously considering getting a walk-up permit Sunday or Monday to either Sunrise Trail>Cloud's Rest>Half Dome>Cathedral Lake or Tuolumne Meadows>Donahue Pass>Red's Meadow.

The last time I was on HD there was a wildfire nearby and it ruined the experience, I don't want to go up there is visibility isn't good. And right now the weather report in Mammoth Lakes shows "Widespread Haze" every day.

The alternative is to go later in September but the weather can be dicey and very cold, any recommendations?

Re: Visibility

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:37 pm
by Phil
It's been really hazy everywhere. The Ferguson fire is 100% contained, but it's going be be smoldering and producing smoke until it rains. Probably until long after they take the HD cables down in mid-Oct.

Why don't you just use the webcams, specifically, the Yos High Sierra?

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/photosmu ... ebcams.htm

Re: Visibility

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:52 pm
by bbmq
Thanks a lot, Phil, I was praying it would be otherwise. Maybe I can do Tuolumne to Red's Meadow in late September?

Re: Visibility

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:06 pm
by Phil
bbmq wrote:Maybe I can do Tuolumne to Red's Meadow in late September?


You know how the shoulder season drill goes...

People are mentioning the haze, but I haven't heard any complaining.

Re: Visibility

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 2:09 pm
by AlmostThere
I just got back from Tioga Pass. The haze was nowhere to be seen... we drove back through it passing through Crane Flat, dropping to El Portal, drove through the 140 entrance and all the way to Oakhurst before encountering real smoky haze - which at a guess is currently coming from the Lion Fire in Sierra National Forest to the east.

Having driven through the heart of the Ferguson Fire... don't worry too much. Other fires are more the worry now.

Re: Visibility

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:03 pm
by balzaccom
Exactly what AT wrote. Our trip to Yosemite last week had clear skies throughout Tuolumne Meadows. Only when we headed down and West into the valley did we see much smoke, and even then it was not bad. A huge difference from two weeks ago.