CAClimbRT_SA_130827_475
Smoke from fires in the Yosemite/Tuolumne area. We had watched this smoke develop in the Tuolumne area throughout the day, and were getting a bit concerned about Sarah's car parked at the Cathedral Trailhead.
Over the course of our trip, a major wildfire (the so-called "Rim Fire") developed just west of Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. The fire, which began on August 17, had moved up to 6th on the list of California's largest wildfires and had charred nearly 200,000 acres by the time we did the TMC linkup on August 27. It was only 20% contained by this time, and the forecast predicted strong winds and hot weather, so it is likely it got even larger before it finally burned itself out. At the time we headed home, they had closed HWY 120 entering the west side of Yosemite National Park, ordered a mandatory evacuation for residences north of Old Yosemite Road, and closed some campgrounds and lodges. The raging blaze was expected to move farther into the park and threaten wildlife, giant sequoias, and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that provides most of San Francisco's water.
CAClimbRT_SA_130827_475
Smoke from fires in the Yosemite/Tuolumne area. We had watched this smoke develop in the Tuolumne area throughout the day, and were getting a bit concerned about Sarah's car parked at the Cathedral Trailhead.
Over the course of our trip, a major wildfire (the so-called "Rim Fire") developed just west of Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. The fire, which began on August 17, had moved up to 6th on the list of California's largest wildfires and had charred nearly 200,000 acres by the time we did the TMC linkup on August 27. It was only 20% contained by this time, and the forecast predicted strong winds and hot weather, so it is likely it got even larger before it finally burned itself out. At the time we headed home, they had closed HWY 120 entering the west side of Yosemite National Park, ordered a mandatory evacuation for residences north of Old Yosemite Road, and closed some campgrounds and lodges. The raging blaze was expected to move farther into the park and threaten wildlife, giant sequoias, and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that provides most of San Francisco's water.