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This is what we've wanted to see for a bit!
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l-01-21-12.jpg
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy
(Taken on Saturday, January 21st at about 5:00 pm PST)
And here is another timelapse work -- it's not video...It is an endless string of still photos with the camera set up on a motorized track. Very cool.
Look at the lower right-hand corner of the current Web cam photo... It looks like we're seeing the first indication of serious accumulation on the slope in front of the camera!
Mammoth is close enough to Yosemite to suggest that there is lots of snow up in the Sierras Storm total calculation started on Jan 19th.
New Snowfall
21"
in the last 24 hours
Storm Total
4 ft
Mammoth Mountain is in the same mountain range, but it is an eastern slope watershed and the snowfall patterns have very little to do with the snow storms on the western slope. Mammoth gets a lot more snow than just about every place in the Sierras.
Mark
Looks very murky up there at the moment with more snowfall today and possibly tonight. It is then forecast to clear on Tuesday and then temperatures to rise from Weds through the weekend, reaching mid to high 50's with blue sky's.
There are reports of around 18" of snow around Tuolumne Meadows. Hopefully we will get some updates by the end of the week, if not before.
On a slightly different note. Reports are coming out of Yosemite regarding a rock fall on the Big Oak Flat road [CA120] blocking access to the park on that route. Access to the Valley is via Highways 41 and 140.
Thank you for explanation. I know Mammoth gets more snow and thought there would be a correlation with other locations, e.g. lots of snow there would suggest snow (but not same amount) at other locations and very little or no snow there would suggest very little or no snow at other locations on mountain range.
Apologies for mistake.
There is a correlation... but it's on the order of.... if it's snowing in Mammoth Lakes, it might be snowing somewhere else in the state. Mammoth was developed as a ski resort precisely because moisture tends to bunch-up and fall as snow in the local area. I don't remember the exact geophysical reasons -- Maybe our resident rocket scientist/geologist can share some insights?
Mark
Current CALTRANS status:
Ebbetts Pass - closed "due to snow"
Sonora Pass - closed "for the winter" as of 1/21
Tioga Pass - closed "due to snow"
Monitor Pass - closed "due to snow"
270 to Bodie - closed "for the winter"
On another subject - Google comes up with nothing on this:
Quote:
SR 1
IS CLOSED 1.8 MI SOUTH OF LUCIA (MONTEREY CO) - DUE TO A SLIDE
Yeah, this is looking gooooooooooooooooooood
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...tinel-0124.jpg
Photo: Web Cam courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy
January 24, 2012 at 11:15 am PST
CALTRANS now says that Ebbetts and Tioga are closed "for the winter". No dates on the pass closure page yet.
However, it looks like the NPS site has a date - January 17. I assume this was the planned closure at 7pm.
Paging Sheriff Dave - is this considered official?
George,
The Sheriff actually has a human-based dialogue going with someone at the NPS and they've not confirmed that it's really closed for good this year...
Mark
Hopefully I will soon get confirmation and we can put this epic and historic Winter closing contest to bed [I might get a 'day off' before Spring opening contest starts ! lol] ;-)
That has actually been posted for a few day's, yet I have been told it will be re-assessed after the storm and there is a chance it willl re-open. The storm has gone through and the forecast is very settled, although the Caltrans statement and a reported snow depth of around 18 inches suggests it could well be the end.Quote:
However, it looks like the NPS site has a date - January 17. I assume this was the planned closure at 7pm.
Yosemite have also released the first 'Tuolumne Meadows Winter report' which points towards the Ski/Snowshoe season, but in that report there was a 'Maybe'.
Yosemite news.Quote:
Hiking Conditions and Weather: This is the first weekly update for the "winter" of 2011-12. Up until January 17 at 7pm you could see and visit Tuolumne Meadows from the comfort of your automobile. This is the latest Tioga Pass has been open since they've kept records in 1933. Given the latest forecast, ice skating season may finally be over! Although this weather gave many a unique opportunity to explore the area in ways never been done this time of year, let's hope we can don our skis once and for all.
Earlier I mentioned a Rock slide that closed CA120 on the Big Oak flat road and has blocked access to the valley from that direction. This article shows the damage to the roadway and in further reports I have read it could take "several weeks" to re-open depending on reports.
Terrible and sad news of a Yosemite park Ranger who was killed in his tent by a falling tree during the latest storm. R.I.P.
He had worked for Yosemite for 5 years, so he made it through last year's incredible snow storm. Truly a bummer.Quote:
-- Part-time ranger Ryan Hiller, 27, was killed Saturday when strong winds felled a tree, crushing his tent in an employee housing area of the park, officials said.
At the moment they are not ruling out the possibility of it re-opening.
From Yosemite.
And on we go !!!Quote:
"There is still significant snow on the Tioga Road at this point. We will look again at the road next week and hope to make an announcement soon as to whether or not it is closed for the season. The Badger Pass Ski Area opened for the season today so only the first 5 miles of the Glacier Point Road are open in order to access the ski area. However, for current road conditions call 209/372-0200."
Dave.
Far out... I still have a chance at this thing....
Mark
Interesting.....
The Caltrans pass closure page is now showing everything is closed for the winter except the June Lake Loop (but the current conditions page shows the June Lake Loop as currently closed by snow). The date for the Tioga closure is 1/25.
Is it possible that regardless of what Yosemite thinks, Caltrans has no intentions of trying to reopen their part of 120 between the pass and Lee Vining?
They usually work together on the road maintenance issues. Maybe budget issues have hit Caltrans too?
I bet that Jan 25th date will hold up.
Mark
Wow, look how much has already melted though...
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...tinel-0127.jpg
(photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy)
Taken January 27th at about noon PST.
Caltrans is always broke these days.Quote:
Maybe budget issues have hit Caltrans too?
That's because California is broke.
Donna
LOTS OF stimulus money is pouring through Caltrans' offices these days -- It certainly looks like Caltrans has lots of projects underway.
Mark
Another gorgeous day in Yosemite:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...tinel-0130.jpg
Taken today at about 12:30 pm
(Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)
The Big Oak Flat road reopened Saturday after the rockslide. It's gravel now, and they will be temporarily reclosing it this week to repave it.
Another lovely day on the pass and a good week of weather fore casted ahead, leaves the contest still in the balance as we move into February.
On we go !!!
Dave.
The NPS posted a Tuolumne Meadows winter update today stating that 40 inches of snow fell in the last 2 weeks and 20 inches remain on the ground.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmconditions.htm
Anyone know how far the measuring station is from the highway?
There has been no further info from Yosemite but it looks as though there is the possibility of snow through Tuesday. At the moment it doesn't look as though it will amount to much, but it might turn into enough to 'call it'.
I don't, and although it is a good indicator of what's going on up there, it's not necessarily relevant to the road condition/status along it's lenght. The Meadows might only have a few inches of of snow, but in other locations, like at the Tioga entrance station to the east and at a higher elevation, typically sees more snow depth. It's currently recorded as having a snow depth of 24".Quote:
Anyone know how far the measuring station is from the highway?
The closing remains listed as January 17 @ 4pm and I suspect that is going to be it. I will try and get an 'eyes on' update from Yosemite and see if we can put you out of your misery real soon ! lol ;-)
Dave.
Earlier in the day the view from the Sentinel Webcam seemed to confirm that the snow is still melting away and Yosemite NP staff are still keeping their options open.
A statement.
It's not unusual to play a 'waiting game' for the closure comps, but usually a big snowstorm arrives and is followed by more snow resulting in a closure. This just isn't happening this year. The levels are at 30% of average for the time of year.Quote:
Yosemite National Park >> Although the high country has some snow, it is melting very quickly. The Tioga Road remains closed at this time, however, barring any further large snow storms, the road has not been officially closed for the season. Please keep checking in regarding a season closure.
Having said that, the unsettled weather has set in today as forecasted, but is only expected to produce an inch or two of new snow before settling down again.
From the Sentinel Cam.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...a/sentinel.jpg
On we go !
This may be a technicality - Caltrans says 120 is closed for the winter. Perhaps the park will try to open the road from Crane Flat to the east entrance station - now, would this consist of a closure or not?
.....with no real answer.
The only thing I can say for sure, is that as part of the competition rules, the Yosemite NP closure date - when confirmed, is 'final'.
I would think that the east kiosk gate is controlled by Yosemite NP. It would seem that no further plowing will be taking place this year, if it was going to, I imagine it would be open by now. [?] In that case, if Yosemite were to open the road/ gate and deemed the pass 'fit for travel', I presume the approach road [maintained by Caltrans] would also be passable with no preparation needed. [?]
What Caltrans 'take' on that would be, or whether using CA120 to the gate would have legal issues, I have no idea.
We have not travelled this road before, so we wait to see what's around the corner !
Dave.
[ Another nice week of weather forecast ahead, with temps above 7500ft almost touching the 50's. Not sure this is gonna be finalised anytime soon !!
Not at all, I'm afraid.Quote:
In that case, if Yosemite were to open the road/ gate and deemed the pass 'fit for travel', I presume the approach road [maintained by Caltrans] would also be passable with no preparation needed. [?]
As with most Sierra passes, the western side is a lot more gradual than the eastern side. So, in comparison, 120 from the eastern gate down to Lee Vining is a lot more rugged, winding, and steep than the road up from Crane Flat. The road, with no plowing, could very well be fine on the western side but very treacherous, if even passable, on the eastern side. I highly doubt that Caltrans will expend any effort on 120 till spring due to funding issues.
The most dangerous part of the road, (avalanches and rock-fall) is the part that lies within the the Park boundaries. Caltrans is a partner in the road maintenance for the entire distance. I can pretty guarantee that the NPS lacks the capability of opening the pass if Caltrans is not on-board. The NPS has snow removal equipment, but they work with Caltrans on the road. So, whatever is going on with the NPS has very little to do with the actual condition of the road at the moment.
Mark
I'm aware of the differences George, but my reply was based on your question of 'if' they reached the east entrance station.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
You first mentioned opening the road from "Crane Flat all the way to the east entrance station". What I was suggesting is that if the road is 'fit' enough to be travelled along the 50 odd miles from the west across Tuolumne/Dana Meadows all the way to the east entrance gate, there would be a good chance that the last 12 miles to the 395 would be passable as well. [Not guaranteed though of course.]
Dave.
Oh more fun. Weather prediction was for sunny skies with high temperatures above freezing for the next few days.
Last year was a big snow year and may have no relation to this year as others have pointed out. That said, didn't the plowing updates last spring show that the road was plowed from the west and from the east through Tioga Pass? Wasn't the Olmsted Point section the last portion to be cleared?
Yes they do plow from both ends each year. We doubt very much there will be any major plowing effort to open it up again for the winter though.
We are just in 'Hypothetical Mode' at the moment. [Guessing lol.]
Dave.
A low pressure system is moving into the Sierras tonight, bringing with it snow. The heaviest [to the east] is predicted through Monday and could bring up to 12 inches of new snow. Tuesday and Wednesday could also see small amounts of snow accumulation added to that.
Maybe, Maybe not ??
There is a hazardous weather warning in place so check before travelling in the vicinity of the Sierra's.
Dave.
....... but look at how much the snow has melted away from previously!!
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...sentinel-2.jpg
Clearing now
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l-02-13-12.jpg
(Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)
I can now confirm that we have an official closing date and for the first time ever we have a ...................
....... 'back to back' Winner -CAnative !!!! [who had correctly guessed the Spring 2011 opening !!]
In fact Jessica, [CAnative] is the first person ever to be crowned Chief Tioga pass Prognosticator twice.
The CLOSING date, confirmed by Yosemite NP is January 17th @ 4pm. Jessica nailed the date and was within an hour of the actual time, predicting 3pm. That means an additional prize will be on it's way too !!
This has been an unprecedented year with the latest ever recorded closing, AND up to the latest snowfall this week, held a real possibility of re-opening.
Keep your eyes peeled, the Spring opening competition will soon be up and running !
Congratulations Jessica and thanks to everyone for taking part.
Dave.
Ok, Sheriff Dave.... I have Jessica's address.... from last spring....
Onward we goeth....
Yes an unusual year with lots of guesses. I know Dave is the Sheriff but I'm wondering about the 4 pm closing time. The press release on the Yosemite National Park website states a 7 pm closing time.