Competition: Tioga Pass Prognosticator 24. Winter closing.
This is our 24th consecutive competition in trying to predict the (almost) unpredictable.
When will the Tioga Pass close for the winter season?
The Tioga Pass is one of the most scenic drives in the American west and is found along CA Highway 120 as it crosses the Sierra Nevada in Yosemite NP. Sometime during Fall and early winter the snow will arrive, eventually closing the Pass until the following Spring. Have you got what it takes to predict the closing date ? If you predict the correct date you could win a free tank of gas for your road trip ride, if you get within an hour of the official opening time you will also receive a bonus prize !! It doesn't matter how you arrive at your prediction you can use a crystal ball, study data or just take a wild guess, all you have to do is follow the rules set out below.
Contrasting images of the Upper Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the foreground.
Do you have what it takes to become the next Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champion ?
The Contest
You are welcome to use your predictive talents and if you manage to hit the correct date -- the RTA Editorial group will pay for a tank of road trip fuel in your personal road trip ride. Legal has suggested that we identify what this means.... So, for the record, the prize will be limited to $75.00 USD*
Please read entry rules carefully.
To win this prize, the date must be posted** on this Forum more than or equal to fifteen (15) days prior to the official Tioga Pass Road CLOSING date. (**Your "date" and time must be identified in a post on this thread...**)
* Further, you must identify a particular date in your post.
* Further, you must identify a particular time in your post (date and time is required for the winning entry).
*And if you manage to identify the correct closing time within 60 minutes.... you'll receive an additional surprise gift from RTA.
* A single calendar date can only be claimed by one member. If two or more members chose the same calendar date, and that date proves to be the "Winning Date", the prize will go to the member who "claimed" the date the earliest in this contest period.
*The official date for this Tioga Pass Prognosticator contest tracks with Pacific Time (USA), so no matter what date it might be in your local neighbourhood, the date used for this contest will be the same one used by the officials at Yosemite National Park for Tioga Pass.
When you have identified your prediction in your post, please "Ping the Poll" at the top of page (This is done by completing your poll selection).
************Forum Moderator, Dave Gomm, (Southwest Dave) is the official Sheriff and Chief Wrangler for this contest and his rulings as to the naming of the winner are final, (& they also could be arbitrary & capricious) Got a beef? Or a question? Take it up with him...
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Here is a list of previous TPPc (Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champs.)
*** tantrum, Spring 2015 Opening
George Carey (glc), Spring 2014 Opening
George Carey (glc), Spring 2013 Opening
Jessica Beagles-Roos (CAnative), Spring 2011 and Winter 2011 (although it actually closed in 2012)
Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010
Phil Boardman, (PhilB) Spring 2009
.................. (weirj), Winter 2008
***and the dcTPP contestants (Darn Close -- Tioga Pass Prognosticator)
************** Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2017
**************Southwest Dave Spring 2017
**************travelingman Winter 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos [CANative] Spring 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos, (CaNative), Winter 2013
*************George Carey (glc), Spring 2012
*************Sheriff Dave Gomm (Southwest Dave), Winter 2010
*************Don Casey (CalOldBlue), Winter 2009
*************Lynn & Victor (Hotel Charlotte), Spring 2008
*************Joey (Kinless), Spring 2007
Some links and info to give you a helping hand !
Official Tioga Pass Closings in recent years:
2017: November 14th
2016: November 16th
2015: November 1st
2014: November 13th
2013: November 18th
2012: November 8th
2011: January 17th, 2012
2010: November 19th
2009: November 12th
2008: October 30th
2007: December 6th
2006: November 26th
2005: November 25th
2004: October 17th
2003: October 31st
2002: November 5th
When you have identified your prediction in your post, please "Ping the Poll" at the top of page (This is done by completing your poll selection).
Previous Predictive Efforts:
Spring 2006 Opening
Winter 2006 Closing
Spring 2007 Opening
Winter 2007 Closing
Spring 2008 Opening
Winter 2008 Closing
Spring 2009 Opening
Winter 2009 Closing
Spring 2010 Opening
Winter 2010 Closing,
Spring 2011 Opening
Winter 2011 Closing
Spring 2012 Opening
Winter 2012 Closing
Spring 2013 Opening
Winter, 2013 Closing
Spring 2014 Opening
Winter 2014 Closing
Spring 2015 Opening
Winter 2015 Closing
Spring 2016 Opening
Winter 2016 Closing
Spring 2017 Opening
Winter 2017 Closing
Link to Yosemite official page.
Listing opening and closing of other Sierra Nevada passes.
Webcams. See what's happening in Yosemite right now.
Here are some 'Proof of Gas' photos by previous winners.
George Cary (glc) Spring opening 2014.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...y_2014_650.jpg
George again. Spring opening 2013.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...ey_07-3-13.jpg
Jessica Beagles-Roos [CAnative] 2011 winter closing.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...os-Kingman.jpg
CAnative 2011 Spring opening.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...er_Jessica.jpg
Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...010_Winner.jpg
Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...pinFreeGas.jpg
This thread has been started later than usual (apologies) and the winter season is fast approaching so grt your thinking caps on and get predicting !! Good luck to all participants.
Sheriff Dave.
Lets get the ball rolling !
I'm going to start this off with my prediction for the pass to close at 4pm on November 17th ! Based on the fact that it hasn't closed on that date before, well since Yosemite's records began anyway !!
Dave.
Don't forget to 'Ping the Poll'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
travelingman
Lets try Noon on December 2
It's going to be a warm winter???
Howdy travelingman, good to see you back. Looks as though you still need to 'Ping the poll' at the top of the thread with your entry.
Good luck !
Look at those poor trees!
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...el10-20-17.jpg
Photo Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy, October 20th @ 4:00 PM PDT.
Those trees have seen better days!
Mark
Bright and not so Breezy.
Well the weather looks wonderful up on the pass with daytime temps in the 60's. These start to drop off later in the week, with night time temps well below freezing, which sometimes leads to the Pass being temporarily closed overnight/early morning if ice has formed and not re-opening until such time the daytime sun gets to work on it. Apart from that slight risk, the immediate future looks bright for anyone wishing to drive along Tioga.
Dave.
Open. For the time being.
Tioga Pass and Glacier point have both reopened to traffic, but there is a chance of snow showers later in the week.
Dave.
More snow arriving. (A new champ?)
With daytime temperatures not getting much above freezing Sunday and Monday and the threat of more snow on the high ground, it doesn't look as though it will open any time soon. Will it open again this season ? Could Mark (Sedenquist) be crowned the new Tppc (Tioga pass prognosticator champion) for the first time ? Watch this space.
Dave.
1 Attachment(s)
Waiting for official date of closing.
The Yosemite site has said it is closed for the season but there have been no updates on their official 'Opening and closing dates' page so we will have to wait and see what the verdict is. A Yosemite Facebook post was made on November 15th at 1:30am stating that the "The Tioga Road closed this morning due to icy conditions." Now that means they either made the call and closed it midnight onwards of the 15th, or "this morning" referred to sometime during the morning of the 14th. Mark (Sedenquist) has predicted 8:30am November 15th so fingers crossed.
Looking at Yosemite Falls and the snow dusted granite walls from a frosty Cook's Meadow.
Attachment 4738
Dave.
Missed it by this ***** much
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Southwest Dave
Mark (Sedenquist) has predicted 8:30am November 15th so fingers crossed.
I've never been closer than 2-3 weeks -- so that would have been memorable!
Mark
'Ridiculously Resilient Ridge'
New study about global weather patterns and the impact they will have on our TPP
Darn close, but no champ this contest !
The Tioga Pass closed on November 14th. Mark Sedenquist came so close to nailing it with his prediction of November 15th at 8am, but it was not to be. However Mark does pick up the title of Dctpp (Darn close Tioga Pass Prognosticator) for the 2017 winter closure. (Perhaps I could see if management could send you an RTA cap for your effort ! ) ;-)
Next up will be the 2018 Spring opening contest.
Dave.
Seems like an "inside job" to me!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Southwest Dave
The Tioga Pass closed on November 14th. Mark Sedenquist came so close to nailing it with his prediction of November 15th at 8am, but it was not to be.
That's pretty darn funny! I get benefits every day from RTA.
And I have updated the particulars on the front page of this Winter Closing forum for your use next spring.
Mark
