Spring Rite of Passage: Tioga Pass Prognosticator #11

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}