Massive Avalanche Near Yosemite Sends Snowmobiler to Hospital
A backcountry avalanche north of Yosemite National Park left one snowmobiler buried and critically injured over the weekend, illustrating the dangerous conditions lingering across the Eastern Sierra after recent storms.
According to the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue teams were dispatched around 11 a.m. Saturday after a group of seven snowmobilers triggered a D3 avalanche near Latopie Lake. The group was riding in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area, a popular snowmobiling zone north of Yosemite.
A D3 avalanche is considered very large—capable of destroying structures and leaving debris fields hundreds of yards long. Officials said one person was fully buried by the slide but was quickly dug out by other members of the group before rescuers arrived.
Two helicopters were sent to the scene, including a Battle Born Medevac helicopter from Nevada, which reached the area first. The injured snowmobiler required immediate medical attention and was airlifted to a trauma center in Reno. No further details on their condition were released.
In a social media post, Mono County Search and Rescue warned that dangerous avalanche conditions remain widespread following last week’s intense winter storms. The incident follows another avalanche-related accident Friday in Mammoth Lakes, where two ski patrollers were injured during mitigation work.
Officials continue to urge backcountry users to avoid avalanche terrain and closely monitor conditions before heading out.
