Tioga Pass Prognosticator #15

With only 53% of the average snowpack recorded for April 1st and the following report on the road conditions, it has all the makings of an early opening.

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The Tioga road is bare pavement from the closed gate in Lee Vining Canyon to Tioga Pass. There are some bare patches on the road between Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows that grow bigger every day. If travelling from the west (Crane Flat), there are several miles of dry pavement in the vicinity of Gin Flat.

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However, the Yosemite site has updated the 'Plowing Page' for the first time in regards to the 2013 Spring opening, and it would seem that George's 'feeling' of delays with regards to budget cuts is on the money, and it's possible plowing will not begin until May 15th. Will there be anyhting left to plow by then !? lol

Statement from the plowing updates page;

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National Park Service road crews will assess the Tioga Road on or about April 15, however, the current plan is to begin plowing on May 15. With the mild winter, we're optimistic the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads may open by Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27).

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It will be a dismal spring for the heavy equipment operators who are tasked with the snow removal operations in the Sierra Nevada this year.

Thanks for the update. I looked at the Web Cam a few moments ago -- the "snow hump" is completely gone already.

Mark

The June Lake Loop and Monitor Pass are open!

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_04-15-13.jpg
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy -- April 15th @ 11:15 am PDT

Yegads, this is what is ought to look like in June or even early July....

Mark

Seems like we'll get some fresh snow and temperatures are dropping. Let's hope it's only a few fresh flakes :)

Great news for the early season trippers wishing to drive Tioga Pass.

Lifey

The original dcTPP'er has risen from the ashes to come in with a guess for the 2013 opening:

Monday, May 20th at 10:30am PDT

I already won a gas card in a raffle this year, so trying to extend our luck again. We've got Roadtrip #7 lined up, so any extra complimentary fuel always helps. :)

The roadtrip destination? It's a surprise (well, probably not if anyone's been following my past threads) but that will be announced soon.

Good luck to all the rest of the prognosticators...

Hey Joey...

Great to see you back here!

I'm sure Sheriff Dave has you registered...

Happy Hunting.

Mark

Is this optimistic news or what?

May 11th? Is this even possible, in such short time?

I saw it pass by on twitter too, so let's cross our fingers and hope for it. It would be nice since we'd like to visit Mono Lake + Bodie before crossing Tioga Pass to arrive in the valley by night.
Having to drive through Sonora Pass or even further would limit our time to visit Bodie.