7% of average snow pack. Yikes.
Mark
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7% of average snow pack. Yikes.
Mark
I also suspect budgetary issues, they have to hire people to staff the entrance station.
Yes visitors are disappointed that the road is closed and they can't visit the higher elevations in YNP. As a CA resident I'm so happy that it snowed again. Every drop of water helps.
It's a good day, my sons' birthday (twins) and an early pick. The planned opening is Monday, May 4 at 8 am.
If that proves to be true, looks like we have a winner - tantrum from Oz.
It sounds pretty certain that it will open as planned, unless those Thunderstorms really develop into something nasty, but as always, we will have to wait for the official verdict. Watch this space !
Dave.
Looking alot like summer now:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_05_02_15.jpg
Captured May 2nd at about 2:50 pm PDT
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy
NPS website says it's open!
The opening date as confirmed on the Yosemite NPS website is May 4th and our 2015 TPPC award [Tioga pass Prognosticator champion] goes to member 'tantrum' who correctly predicted the date at their first ever attempt in this contest. Predictions were pointing towards an early opening this year and that again was the case, but I am sure there are a lot of people that hope these dry winters will not continue too much longer.
Tioga Pass which is found on California State Route 120 provides the eastern access to Yosemite National Park and is usually the last pass opened to the roadtripping public each Spring. As such, it has become the RTA harbinger for the start of the summer road trip season in the west. This year, the pass opened on Monday, May 4th and RTA member "tantrum" was the sole Prognosticator to correctly predict this opening. Tantrum managed this prognosticator feat on the first day of this year's predictive effort. February 6, 2015. In fact, Tantrum was the second RTA member to post in this year's thread. (Second only to Sheriff Dave, who posted the original thread).
A check in the amount of $75 will be issued to tantrum to purchase fuel for his/her next road trip.
Once he/she provides the POG (Proof of Gas) photo he/she will join the august line-up of former (& current reigning) TPPs (Tioga Pass Prognosticators):
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
CONGRATULATIONS ! And in Jedi Knight fashion, "May the 4th be with you."
[Sorry, my bad. Haha]
Sheriff Dave.
Sheriff Dave,
What was the official opening time on May 4th?
Mark
Although I have not seen official confirmation the scheduled opening time was 8am and there is nothing to suggest otherwise.
On another note, anyone travelling Tioga pass this year should expect delays of 15 to 30 mins and up to an hour overnight due to road works.
Happy travels !
Dave.
Summer comes to the Yosemite high country.... (in May)
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_05_05_15.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- May 6th at 10:35 am PDT
Don't mess with Mother Nature... A day later and snow returns to the high country...
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_05_07_15.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- May 7th at 9:20am PDT
From the Yosemite NP site:
More snow! That road won't be opening today!Quote:
The Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) and Glacier Point Road are temporarily closed due to snow. Check current road conditions/chain requirements by calling 209/372-0200 (then press 1 then 1).
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...05_07_15_2.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- May 7th at 3:00 pmPDT
Well this is a surprise! Thanks RTA for both running this comp and hosting a great website with a wealth of knowledge.
This is the kind of view, we'd rather see on the 8th of May!
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_05_08_15.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- May 8th at 7:10 am PDT
Congratulations Tantrum!
Mark
The views are still much the same as the photo's Mark has already posted as the weather remains unsettled. There are winter weather alerts from the National weather service in place.
Not great for those that wanted to travel the road after seeing it open, but it is much needed for the water table.Quote:
National weather service announcement.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF A DUSTING TO A FEW INCHES
AT 4500 FEET WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 6000 FEET AND LOCALLY UP
TO A FOOT NEAR THE CREST.
* IMPACTS...WINTER LIKE DRIVING CONDITIONS ALONG PORTIONS OF
HIGHWAYS 41...120...140 AND 168 AS WELL AS HIGHWAY 198 IN
TULARE COUNTY. CAMPERS AND HIKERS IN THE BACK COUNTRY SHOULD
BE PREPARED FOR FREEZING TEMPERATURES THROUGH MIDDAY FRIDAY.
Dave.
More than a dusting -- apparently 20 + inches for Tuolumne Meadows.
Jessica
We are "getting it" further on south -- good rainstorm in San Diego County yesterday evening and through today. We need it so badly, that we aren't complaining!
Donna
Reports from a Mono lake committee Hydrologist has recorded 14" of new snow and just over 2 inches of water in the last 24 hours, which has been described as "Off the charts for May". There has also been reports of the rare event of "Thundersnow", rumbling sky's and snow.
Mother nature is smiling at us, or laughing !
Dave.
Doesn't look much from the Sentinel webcam.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psedydjyzy.jpg
..but Badger Pass, which looked very dry, shows a slightly different picture.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psmgekqfjf.jpg
The Pass and Glacier point road are still listed as closed but for the latest info on current road conditions/chain requirements call 209/372-0200 (then press 1 then 1).
Dave.
I agree, this is one of the fastest snow melts I have ever seen. Several inches of wet, heavy snow at this time yesterday -- and now....
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l-05-09-15.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- Captured 10:30 am PDT on May 9th
Can no longer grab a screenshot from the Yosemite Falls Web Cam -- but the falls -- they are a'rockin' this morning. Click here for a live look!
I see those falls and I am reminded of the hike our family took, probably 21 or 22 years ago, to the top of the Upper Falls. A great hike and the view was awesome!
Donna
All roads in Yosemite have been reopened.
Road closed again (Wed at 8 pm). Hmm .. how many cycles of closing and opening will there be this month? We did the spectacular hike to the top of Yosemite Falls when my boys were 7 years old.
Jessica
Thanks for the update Jessica, it appears as though they closed it before the 'event' as a precaution. With a few inches possible, followed by rain and snow predicted for the rest of the week, it could be a few days.
Dave.
Wet, heavy snow is a falling in the high country again today....
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...tinel_0514.jpg Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy, captured May 14th at 1:20 pm PDT.
Looks like the sun is trying to come through.
Now I see how the under structure of the "hump" is created.... The tree-like shrub holds the snow and eventually it drifts over.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...nel_051515.jpg
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy, captured at about 9:15 am on May 15th
Hump gone, (again) and dramatic skies overhead
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...el_0516_15.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy --- May 16th at 11:55 am PDT
Yosemite's official web page has the status listed as 'Call' with Caltrans still listing the road as closed. One report on Yosemite's Facebook page had said it was open, but I don't think so. Best advice if you are hoping to travel over the pass is to call ahead until further news.
The official Yosemite site now has the Tioga Pass status listed as open.
Dave.
Fancy a go ? The new 2015 Tioga Pass Prognosticator winter closure COMPETITION is now up and running ! Take a look here.
Dave.