Sorry for my very bad English. I´m from Argentina and I will be in Yosemite May 31 2011
I guess that Tioga Pass will not be open to that date, but it could be that Sonora Pass will open for that date?
Regards,
Mariano from Buenos Aires
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Sorry for my very bad English. I´m from Argentina and I will be in Yosemite May 31 2011
I guess that Tioga Pass will not be open to that date, but it could be that Sonora Pass will open for that date?
Regards,
Mariano from Buenos Aires
Hi Mariano, welcome to the RTA forums !
There is just no way of knowing at this time so I would recommend to keep 'checking in' for updates.
Thanks for your quick response, I will check the news and updates
But I suppose that none of them will be open for that date.
Saludos,
Mariano
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/ra/ca..._2011_0414.jpg
(photo: 2011 Yosemite Conservancy -- April 14th at 3:25 pm)
Wow, what a year for snow!
Mark
Nice image !
It's right around this time of year that the plowing effort usually begins, but no news yet. Caltrans do not appear to have started work on the road outside of the East entrance either.
But the crews are currently assessing the road and avalanche risk etc with 10ft of snow still sitting on the roadway.
South fork of the Tuolumne River bridge.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...iverbridge.jpg
This page keeps you up to date with the plowing effort.
After the Sentinel dome Web cam had survived the storms unscathed it now appears to be on the blink !
I'll post some photos tonight -- but took the time to swing by Yosemite Valley on Wednesday -- no snow, or very little remains in the valley!
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...l_April_20.jpg
(Taken at about 5:00 pm on April 20th, 2011. Bridal Veil Falls -- no snow on the meadow in the foreground). I had thought I had taken some better shots of the meadow. I bet Megan did, I'll load them someday!
Mark
Gage height today is nearly a foot higher than yesterday, so some evidence that the upper levels of the park are beginning to melt!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist
Mark
The current situation is better today than a few weeks ago? There is some chance that Tioga Pass open in late May?
I think that the chance that the pass can be opened by the end of May is less than 1% -- There's a lot of snow up there.
But if the area had record heat for a month -- yeah maybe -- except then the road damage from the washouts would keep the road closed...
Mark
Hi, and what do you think about Glacier Point. It will open in the same date that Tioga Pass ? Or before ?
Glacier Point usually opens before -- and from the look of the casading waterfalls on the southern end of the valley, I's say that is melting well.
Mark
Reports coming out of Yosemite states that the operations are well under way. Caltrans are also plowing CA120 up to East entry station now. However, it is expected to be slow going with the considerable snow pack and challenges they face ahead.
They are approaching the first avalanche zones at South Fork.
I like that the NPS is now depicting the progress of the plows on the NPS site. That's pretty cool.
I hope they get the Sentinel Peak Web cam working again soon.
Mark
I am sure that Tioga Pass will remain closed in late May and I´m looking for options.
Could I take Highway 108 (across Stanislaus National Forest), then 395 and go down until Mammoth Lakes or Bishop? I want to go to Death Valley
Those routes are open now? I'll be in Yosemite May 31
Which option do you suggest me? I prefer don´t take route 99 to Bakersfield because I've done this same trip two years ago.
I apologize for my very bad English, I promise that if you have any questions about tourism in Argentina I'll be happy to respond in detail !!!!
Thanks
Mariano
SR-108 is absolutely gorgeous when it opens in the Spring -- In past years, I've used it the last weekend in May and it's still possible it could be open for you -- But there would be lots and lots of snow -- The waterfalls would be astonishingly huge!
If SR-108 is open -- You'll be stunned with the views -- but you'll just have to wait and see. Alternatively, US-50 is open and will be open at the end of May. SR-88 -- Carson Pass is open although construction is continuing.
So....
In order of priority : I suggest the following
SR-120 -- Tioga Pass (if open)
SR-108 -- Sonora Pass (if open)
SR-88 -- Carson Pass
US-50
I-80
There's also SR-4 -- Ebbetts Pass, that's in between 108 and 88. It's not open yet and it's very narrow, steep, and winding.
I like 88 - and the shortcut from it back to 395 over Monitor Pass (SR-89) is now open.
Thank you very much for yours tips. I'll wait about 2 more weeks to decide.
If it were to be open, I think the 108 would be a good option. Other roads
I've lost my hopes to Tioga Pass
Thanks, Mariano
You can get an idea from this link of when other passes open in previous years compared to Tioga.
This year is set to be a late opening but 'wait and see' is your only option at this time.
US-50 may or may not be an option - they are closing it in a week or so for reconstruction at Echo Summit. This may or may not be done when you are going through. It's "scheduled" to be done on 5/24.
California Road Conditions
It appears that the construction on 88 will either be complete or suspended while 50 is closed.
{Additional discussion about the closures on US-50 can be found here}
They're predicting snow in the Sierra Sunday and maybe into the next couple days.
We have fresh snow in the mountains around Las Vegas!
Normally, it's triple digits by the middle of May!
Mark
It doesn't look like there is going to be any significant new snow settling, but it could certainly slow/halt the plowing effort. The worst at the moment looks to be Saturday night into Sunday which is handy as they will not be working on the pass then.
Rotary plows are now in the Siesta Lake area at just over 8000ft, where they are still facing an average snow depth of 10ft ahead of them.
It is reported that to the East, Caltrans are about a mile from the East entrance kiosk.
Some pics here and a report here from the Mono lake site.
Somehow I have managed to not get my vote in yet.
So I'll aim at June 17th. 9:30am
Anyone who wants to take part with a valid entry must identify their prediction in a post as stated in the rules at the start of this thread. I have taken my eye of this particular ball and now realise there are far more poll votes than dates identified in the thread.
So far we have had 8 predictions identified in posts, yet there are 13 votes entered in the poll. That means 5 of you will not be eligible for the prize and your date is up for grabs, until you have posted and claimed that date. Until such time it is fair game for any new predictor to select and identified it in a post and claim that date.
Good luck all !
And don't forget the 15 day rule, your prediction date cannot be within 15 days of the posted date.
Does it ever happen / Has it ever happened, that Tioga Pass was officially opened, and then with a change in weather, closed again?
Just that the question came up, and I did not have the answer. :)
Lifey
Usually by the time it's opened the winter storms are gone and if there were new snow, it would quickly melt away. It could well have done so at some point and if weather dictates it will in the future, but I don't recall it doing so in recent times.[?]
If it were to close after the official opening it wouldn't be clarified on the records and neither would the official opening date be affected.
Unless I'm to late to predict and get my entry in (I just found this thread)
I pick June 24 at 12:00 Noon
Utahtea
Not too late Utahtea, so good luck !
Although it might be a July opening yet !! [I doubt it though]
Winter weather warning in place with up to 10 inches of new snow possible, ice, wind and 'Thundersnow' too !
From the weather service.
Quote:
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
430 AM PDT SUN MAY 15 2011
CAZ096-151930-
/O.CON.KHNX.WS.W.0009.110515T1200Z-110516T0600Z/
SIERRA NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE TO KINGS CANYON-
430 AM PDT SUN MAY 15 2011
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 6000 FEET...
A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 6000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA FROM
YOSEMITE TO KINGS CANYON.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 10 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.
* ELEVATION: ABOVE 6000 FEET.
* TIMING: SNOW WILL CONTINUE THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH
THIS EVENING. SOME OF THE HEAVIEST SNOW MAY OCCUR ON THIS
AFTERNOON IN THUNDERSTORMS. SNOW WILL TAPER OFF THIS EVENING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SHAVER LAKE...YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.
* WINDS: SOUTH WINDS 20 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH OVER THE
CRESTS.
* IMPACTS: LATE SEASON WINTER WEATHER WITH SNOW...STRONG WINDS
AND COLD TEMPERATURES. MANY PEOPLE HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR
WINTER TRAVELING GEAR BECAUSE THE WEATHER HAS BEEN MUCH
WARMER LATELY. BE AWARE THAT DANGEROUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS
IN ICE AND SNOW ARE POSSIBLE SUNDAY. THUNDERSNOW IS ALSO
POSSIBLE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
&&
$$
DUDLEY
WEATHER.GOV/HANFORD
Stage 1 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California to Start at 1:15 p.m. PT
Route Shortened Due to Later Start Time, but Still Includes KOM and Sprint Competitions
Lake Tahoe, Calif. (May 15, 2011) – After monitoring weather conditions overnight and this morning, while consulting with public safety and race team officials, organizers of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California have announced that the current and projected weather conditions will allow Stage 1 of the race to start at 1:15 p.m. PT at the original start line in South Lake Tahoe. Race officials will continue to pay close attention and monitor the course and all other conditions. If at any time it is determined to be unsafe to continue, the race will be neutralized.
The new route (which merely eliminates a portion of a loop around Lake Tahoe) will continue to take the riders from South Lake Tahoe to Northstar around the west side of Lake Tahoe and will be approximately 50 miles. The projected finish timing, which was to be between 3:15 and 4 p.m. PT will remain unchanged.
The Lifestyle Festival in Northstar will open as scheduled at noon PT, with the timing of the Amgen Breakaway Mile remaining on schedule for 2:30 p.m. PT.
“We have been in constant communication with all parties involved in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California – from public safety and transportation authorities to teams and all of our partners – to ensure our decision protects the safety of our riders and fans,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “We thank everyone for their tireless efforts in bringing this race together, and pledge that we still have a great day of racing ahead of us today.”
Fans are still encouraged to come out to the start line at Montbleu, where rider sign-in will take place at 12:15 p.m. PT, allowing them to see the cyclists up close before they take off for the start of the race. Unfortunately, with the change in course, people will not be able to see both the start and finish in person. Fans in the South Lake Tahoe area who want to experience the Stage 1 finish at Northstar will need be on the road by 12:30 p.m. PT at the latest.
Beginning with a neutral start that takes the cyclists west out of South Lake Tahoe, the race will follow the second half of the original route and feature highlights including:
• King of the Mountains (KOM) competition at Emerald Bay at approximately mile 13
• Sprint line at Tahoe City at approximately mile 31
• KOM competition at Brockway summit at approximately mile 43
I've traveled in an extreme thundersnow storm once. Lightning at night in the middle of a heavy snowstorm, on a steep mountain pass in a RV.... It was a bit intense. This was in Arizona and it was in the Airstream class A we were driving for the American Cancer Society and Megan had to stand over me with her hair blower on full blast because the defrosting system in the RV could not keep up with the fast developing ice crystals on the windshield.
Mark
Ever since I've heard that there was such a thing as Thundersnow I've wanted to experience it! BUT, I don't want to experience it while driving. Parked would be better! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist
There's no snow yet falling in Yosemite valley -- Look at the live feed here at the Merced River
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_05_15_11.jpg
(Photo by David C. Stone) 12:35 pm PDT -- May 15, 2011
Live feed from the Ahwahnee Meadow -- that's fresh snow on Half Dome!
Hmm - I-80 is closed both directions due to spinouts, chain law in effect. Chain law over Carson Pass, Monitor Pass is closed. Chain law on 120 to get into Yosemite. Chain law on 395.
I wish the Sentinel Dome camera was operational right now. Down in the valley floor it looks quite settled, but the severe weather warnings are for elevations up and over 6000feet.
Hadn't even heard of 'Thundersnow' before today's report. Sounds kind of exciting !
Picture this... Driving in heavy snow, about 10:00 pm.. Straining to see the road in the midst of near white-out conditions and all of a sudden lightning flashes...and all of those snowflakes reflect light right back into your face...
Night vision is disabled, all I could see were hundreds of swirling lines like one sees after a lightbulb flashes in your face and that's pretty exciting on a highway at night!
Mark
By the way, Kings Beach near the northern end of Lake Tahoe is reporting light snow, 25 degrees (feels like 19 degrees) No sunbathing up there today!
What the heck you doing driving at 10PM in a snow storm! ;) I want to experience sitting in the front seat of the RV thought my IMAX windshield....WHILE PARKED at a campsite or even better yet from my FIL's timeshare up in the Sierra mountains! LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist
DH hates to drive at night because he can't see the potholes, so as a rule we don't drive after dark.
Utahtea
Yep, that's the type of 'excitement' I was referring too, otherwise known as terrifying !Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist
I was on assignment for a client and one doesn't let any weather affect that. I actually drove until about 1:30 that morning -- It was Christmas Eve and I needed to be in Pasadena the next day. Here's the inside scoop on that trip! Complete with the hair blower description! (Although in Megan's telling of the story, my memory about the time of night must be a bit off). Oh well...It was dark and stormy and snowing and there was lightning!Quote:
Originally Posted by Utahtea
Mark
This was supposed to be near the start of the Pro bike race today....
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...5_11_Tahoe.jpg
(Photographer credit pending)