Pete Thomas Outdoors

Hiker killed by grizzly bear in Yellowstone park identified

The hiker killed by a grizzly bear Wednesday morning in Yellowstone National Park has been identified as Brian Matayoshi, a 57-year-old from Torrance, Calif.

He had been with his wife on the Wapiti Lake Trail when the mauling incident occurred. Marylyn Matayoshi also was attacked briefly, but not seriously injured, after the attack on her husband.

The incident marked the first bear-caused fatality inside the Wyoming wilderness park since 1986.

According to a park news release, the couple had been hiking toward their vehicle at about 11 a.m., about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The husband and wife spotted a bear about 100 yards away and turned to walk in the opposite direction. That's when the bear started running toward them.

The couple began to run and the bear quickly caught up, first attacking the husband and then chomping onto the daypack worn by the wife, lifting her briefly. She fell to the ground and remained still, and the bear wandered off.

She shouted for help and and nearby hikers used a cellphone to place an emergency call, to which rangers who were on backcountry patrol responded.

Brian Matayoshi suffered multiple wounds and was dead when rangers arrived, at about 11:30 a.m. The female bear was presumed to have been acting in defense of her cubs, according to a preliminary investigation, and does not appear to have a prior history of aggression toward humans.

Though the case will be reviewed, typically the park does not trap, relocate or kill a bear under these circumstances.

The Wapiti Lake Trail and nearby trails are expected to be closed for several days. Visitors to the park, are advised to hike in large numbers when possible, make noise in areas where bears might be surprised, and to carry bear pepper spray. The Matayoshis were not carrying bear spray.

Man killed by grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park

A man was killed by a grizzly bear in Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park on Wednesday morning while walking on a trail with his wife. A news release issued by the park stated that they encountered a mother with cubs and the adult bear apparently perceived the couple to represent a threat.

The incident occurred on the Wapiti Lake trail east of the Grand Loop Road south of Canyon Village. Nearby hikers dialed 911 after hearing cries from the wife, who was not attacked. Park rangers arrived soon afterward.

The park did not release the name of the victim or his wife. No action was taken against the mother bear.

The news release did state that bear warnings are posted at the Wapiti Lake trailhead, and that this marks the first bear-caused fatality in the park since 1986.

Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park to open Saturday

The long-anticipated opening of Tioga Road, which traverses Yosemite National Park, will occur Saturday at 8 a.m.,  according to park superintendent Don Neubacher.

The Tioga Road (State Highway 120) represents the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada. News of its opening will be well-received by fans of the majestic Sierra wilderness park.

However, there remains several feet of snow in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Hiking opportunities are limited and visitors are urged to use extreme caution. Additionally, ice is prevalent and stream crossings are treacherous.

Campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed.  All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, also are closed until further notice. There are several no-stopping zones along the road, but vault toilets will be available in several locations.

Rafters, kayakers to enjoy one of best-ever whitewater seasons

While skiers and snowboarders are still carving turns in some areas across the West, thanks to  record snowfall winter that seemingly refuses to end, kayakers and rafters are gearing up for what's sure to be one of the most amazing whitewater seasons in recent history.

"These numbers are blowing my mind," Joe Carberry, senior editor for Canoe & Kayak magazine, said in reference to June snow pack summaries for states such as California, Idaho, Washington and Colorado. "You'd be safe to say that most river basins in the inter-mountain and western United States are still averaging above 200% of average. That is incredible for this time of year. Some, including drainages in California and Idaho, were still averaging 400%."

The accompanying video, showcasing the skills of top kayakers on Quebec's more low-lying waterways, provides a glimpse at what rivers out West will soon look like.

 

What this means is that the season, rather than starting in mid-May and waning by mid-July, is just beginning and, because mountain ranges throughout the West are so laden with dense snow packs, rivers will provide rollicking thrills for kayakers and rafters through August and even well into September in some places.

Carberry, when asked via email to list some of his top prospects, mentioned the Arkansas River in Colorado, "with the Pine Creek and Numbers sections set to create carnage galore."

He touted the Class V section of the North Fork of the Payette River in Boise, Idaho, which set flow records last year "and could get even bigger this season."

In California, Carberry predicted, "The rivers won't be the only thing gushing. Chili Bar on the South Fork of the American will be overflowing with customers and raft guides ready to run the classic Chili Bar section down to Folsom Lake, while Class V kayakers get their scare on by charging the Golden Gate section."

Another top spot in California will be the spectacular Forks of the Kern two-day stretch of mostly Class V rapids (the most difficult) in the Mt. Whitney drainage, which feeds the Kern River. That will peak July through August, according to Kern River Outfitters guide Luther Stephens.

Stephens, a well-traveled veteran, also touts the Middle Fork of Idaho's Salmon River; Oregon's Rogue and "last but certainly not least, the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is flowing at high levels and is slated to have a great season as well. The Canyon is awesome. You have to do it, if you have not already."

Sounds like a worthwhile plan.

-- Pete Thomas

Mariposa Grove Road opens in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park announced that Mariposa Grove Road opened Friday at 9 a.m., allowing access to the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees.

It's  is the largest Giant Sequoia grove inside the majestic park. The road is located near the park's South Entrance on Highway 41.

Some commercial services will be available and tram tours will begin at some point during the next few weeks. Though spring is finally evident, visitors should exercise caution because snow and ice might still be present. Temporary weather-related closures are still possible in the weeks ahead.

Yosemite also announced that road construction on Wawona Road will resume Monday after being suspended late last fall as wintry weather set in. Visitors traveling into Yosemite via Highway 41/Wawona Road will experience delays of up to 30 minutes between 6 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays.

The improvement project entails 24.4 miles of Wawona Road starting from South Entrance and ending at Bridalveil Straight in Yosemite Valley.  Work includes ditch paving, headwall repairs, sign repairs, crosswalk striping, and other minor grinding and paving.

The project is scheduled for completion on May 27.

-- Pete Thomas

Image of Grizzly Giant within Mariposa Grove is courtesy of Yosemite

Yosemite National Park reopens with limited services

Yosemite National Park reopened with limited services Thursday morning, four days after the majestic western Sierra destination had been rendered inaccessible by heavy snow, fallen trees and power lines.

Highways 120 and 140, leading into Yosemite, were opened Thursday morning. Highway 41 was expected to open early Thursday afternoon. Hetch Hetchy Road and Badger Pass Road remain closed.

The park is open to day visitors until 7 p.m. Room reservations for overnight visitors will be honored. 

The park plans to expand services Friday, if conditions warrant. The park remains without electrical power, but that's expected to be restored by the weekend. Generator power will be available in lodging facilities beginning Friday night. Heated tent cabins will be available at Curry Village.

Badger Pass Ski Area and Yosemite Valley campgrounds will remain closed through the weekend. The campgrounds are expected to open at noon Monday.

A winter storm warning is in effect through Friday morning so prospective visitors should call (209) 372-0200 for updated road conditions within the park. The number for recorded conditions outside of Yosemite is (800) 427-7623.

The Merced River Plan Recreation Workshop, which had been scheduled for Friday, has been postponed indefinitely.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Upper Yosemite Fall in Yosemite National Park during a break in stormy weather that had shut down the area since Sunday. Credit: Kari Cobb

Roads into Yosemite closed because of snow, debris

** Tuesday update: Roads remained closed as of 10 a.m. Tuesday

Heavy snow, mudslides and downed trees and power lines have forced the temporary closure of all roads leading into Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada.

A park media release stated that nearly four feet of snow fell during a 24-hour period in the Yosemite Valley, Wawona and Crane Flat areas. Highways 41 (Wawona Road), 120 (Big Oak Road), and 140 (El Portal Rd.). were closed Monday morning.

Highway 14o outside of the park between El Portal and Mid Pines was closed by Caltrans because of storm-caused debris and downed power lines. Badger Pass Road and Hetch Hetchy Road also are closed.

Assessments are being made regularly and prospective visitors are urged to call (209) 372-0200 for recorded updates regarding roads within the park; and to dial (800) 427-7623 for information about roads outside the park.

A winter storm warning was still in effect Monday morning.

-- Image courtesy of Yosemite

Scientists unearth fishing equipment dating back 12,000 years

There's antique fishing equipment, and then there's stuff so old that it becomes historical treasure, providing a glimpse into the lifestyles of ancient civilizations.

That's the case with fishing tools unearthed recently by archaeologists at two of the Channel Islands off Southern California.

Looking for signs of ancient human settlement, they found meticulously-crafted spearheads and other artifacts (see photo at right) that date back 12,000 years.

The discoveries, at three sites on Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands west of Santa Barbara, support the theory that when the first traces of humans appeared in the archaeological record in North America, a seafaring coastal culture existed that was distinct from the well-chronicled inland Clovis culture, which consisted of big-game hunters who subsisted on mastodons and other large mammals.

A 15-member team led by Jon Erlandson of the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History found chipped stone tools, used for fishing and hunting, along with an abundance of discarded seashells and bones.

A story about the finds appears in the March 4 issue of Science; it was summarized by New Scientist and Science Daily. New Scientist's headline: "Found: fine American fishing tackle, 12 millennia old."

Highway 140 into Yosemite reopens a day after rockfall

Yosemite National Park announced Friday evening that Highway 140/Portal Road, which leads into the sprawling California park, has reopened a day after it had been closed because a large rock had fallen onto the roadway.

The rock was estimated to measure 10-15 feet tall, six feet wide and four feet deep. No injuries or structural damage were reported but damage to the roadway is still being assessed.

All other roads, except for the seasonal closure of the Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, are open.  Visitors should be aware that chains might be required on park roadways.

Updated road and weather information can be obtained by calling 209-372-0200.

Yosemite photo courtesy of Kenny Karst / DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

 

 

Yosemite raid unearths major pot-growing operation

Yosemite National Park rangers this week raided a vast marijuana farm and seized 3,657 plants worth more than $14 million on land inside the park and the Sierra National Forest.

The raid Tuesday in El Portal occurred after a joint investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and Mariposa County Sheriff's Office. Two Mexican nationals, who were in the U.S. illegally, were apprehended in a raid that also involved officers from other agencies.

One of the men was armed with a loaded .45-caliber pistol, park officials said.

The cultivation site was extensive. Some of the plants were 10 feet tall and several pounds of processed marijuana also were confiscated. The workers had destroyed native vegetation to make room for the cultivation site.

In a news release announcing the bust, park superintendent Don Neubacher said: "We want these growers to know that we will not tolerate this type of activity on public lands and we will continue to aggressively seek out and eradicate illegal marijuana growing operations."

The raid was carried out safely, park officials said.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of pot plants that were seized during a raid in Yosemite National Park courtesy of National Park Service