First guess - May 6th at noon.
First guess - May 6th at noon.
The update has been posted to Yosemite's site. They are already to Yosemite Creek which means they are already 1/4 - 1/3 the way done. At that rate, they'll be done plowing in a week or two unless there are road issues, of course. But with the low snow fall, the odds are in their favor.
The odds of an early opening are looking good with the weather and temps as they are at present, although a late storm could alter that !
OK, here is an update on the current predictions so far.
dambrogio > May 3rd @ 8am.
Southwest Dave >May 4th @ 11am.
glc > May 6th @ Noon.
RahRah > May 11th @ 8am.
Mark Sedenquist > May 12th @ Noon.
Lifemagician > May 14th @ 10am.
Don't forget the 15 day rule ! There seems to be far more predictions selected on the Poll, but if your prediction isn't identified in a post with date and time, it will not count.
It still seems a bit early to me but I'll take May 5th at 9 am. It should meet 15 day rule but just in case I'll also take May 10th at 9 am. Looks like I' ll get to use my prize sooner rather than later this year :)
The estimated opening date for Tuolumne Lodge is now June 8th!
Oh Mark did pick today, just that a different road opened (Glacier Point).
For those new to this "contest" the reference to CAnative's "prize" is that Jessica is the reigning double-winning Chief Tioga Pass Prognosticator.... The gauntlet has been tossed....
Winter 2011
Spring 2011 TPP
Oh I think there's a very good chance that April 20th will be the dcTPP date. May 4th is another good guess (my sons' birthday) but Dave nabbed it.
Wow, I've never seen it melt this fast....
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l-04-24-12.jpg
Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy, April 24th at about 7:00 pm
It sure is melting away fast after seeing close to record breaking highs in Yosemite for this time of year ! The plow crews are already at Olmstead Point [and perhaps beyond by now] and making great progress. There have been reports of as little as 36" of snow and in some spots you could see the tarmac ! They are still taking the usual precautions of checking carefully through the avalanche zones [who can blame them] that may slow them a little, but with Caltrans having already plowed to the east entry gate, I feel as though the opening might not be that far away. There is a 'Special weather event' warning in place of a low pressure system coming to the area with a little snow. Doesn't look to significant but it might halt the progress for a while.
Watchout for the run off from that snow melt and be extra careful around the rivers and creeks !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwAcS...layer_embedded
I'll say one more good storm pushes things back just a touch and say"
May 18th @ 9am.
OOOh, in the last frame of that video -- the Dogwoods are blooming