Competition. Tioga Pass Prognosticator 26. Winter closing.
Welcome to the 26th Tioga Pass Prognosticator and the chance to win a free tank of gas.
***All you have to do is correctly predict when the Tioga Pass will close for the winter season!!***
The Tioga Pass is one of the most scenic drives in the American west and is part of CA120 which crosses the Sierra Nevada in Yosemite NP. Sometime during Fall and early winter the snow will arrive, eventually closing the Pass until the following Spring. Have you got what it takes to predict the closing date ? If you predict the correct date you could win a free tank of gas for your road trip ride, if you get within an hour of the official opening time you will also receive a bonus prize !! It doesn't matter how you arrive at your prediction, you can use a crystal ball, study data or just take a wild guess, all you have to do is follow the rules set out below.
Contrasting images of the Upper Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the foreground
So have you got what it takes to become the newly crowned TPPC
(Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champion)??
The Contest.
***Please read entry rules carefully.***
To win this prize, the date must be posted** on this Forum more than or equal to fifteen (15) days prior to the official Tioga Pass Road CLOSING date. (**Your "date" and time must be identified in a post on this thread...**)
* Further, you must identify a particular date in your post.
* Further, you must identify a particular time in your post (date and time is required for the winning entry).
*And if you manage to identify the correct closing time within 60 minutes.... you'll receive an additional surprise gift from RTA.
* A single calendar date can only be claimed by one member. If two or more members chose the same calendar date, and that date proves to be the "Winning Date", the prize will go to the member who "claimed" the date the earliest in this contest period.
*The official date for this Tioga Pass Prognosticator contest tracks with Pacific Time (USA), so no matter what date it might be in your local neighbourhood, the date used for this contest will be the same one used by the officials at Yosemite National Park for Tioga Pass.
When you have identified your prediction in your post, please "Ping the Poll" at the top of page (This is done by completing your poll selection).
************Forum Moderator, Dave Gomm, (Southwest Dave) is the official Sheriff and Chief Wrangler for this contest and his rulings as to the naming of the winner are final, (& they also could be arbitrary & capricious) Got a beef? Or a question? Take it up with him...
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Here is some further info and links that may help you in your quest !
Official Tioga Pass Closings in recent years:
2017: November 14th
2016: November 16th
2015: November 1st
2014: November 13th
2013: November 18th
2012: November 8th
2011: January 17th, 2012
2010: November 19th
2009: November 12th
2008: October 30th
2007: December 6th
2006: November 26th
2005: November 25th
2004: October 17th
2003: October 31st
2002: November 5th
Link to the previous Yosemite official opening and closing dates page.
A listing of opening and closing of other Sierra Nevada passes.
See what's happening right now using the Webcams.
And links to the previous 10 winter closing contests.
2008 Closing.
2009 Closing.
2010 Closing.
2011 Closing.
2012 Closing.
2013 Closing.
2014 Closing.
2015 Closing.
2016 Closing.
2017 Closing.
Here is a list of previous winners and dcTPP's. (darn close Tioga Pass Prognosticators.)
The list of Champions !
*** tantrum, Spring 2015 Opening
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
***and the dcTPP contestants (Darn Close -- Tioga Pass Prognosticator)
************** tseeb Spring 2018
************** Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2017
**************Southwest Dave Spring 2017
**************travelingman Winter 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos [CANative] Spring 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos, (CaNative), Winter 2013
*************George Carey (glc), Spring 2012
*************Sheriff Dave Gomm (Southwest Dave), Winter 2010
*************Don Casey (CalOldBlue), Winter 2009
*************Lynn & Victor (Hotel Charlotte), Spring 2008
*************Joey (Kinless), Spring 2007
And here are some POF Photo's. (Proof of Gas.)
George Cary (glc) Spring opening 2014.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...y_2014_650.jpg
George again. Spring opening 2013.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...ey_07-3-13.jpg
Jessica Beagles-Roos [CAnative] 2011 winter closing.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...os-Kingman.jpg
CAnative 2011 Spring opening.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...er_Jessica.jpg
Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...010_Winner.jpg
Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...pinFreeGas.jpg
Remember, your prediction must be posted on this thread to include time and date and you must 'Ping the Poll' at the top to qualify !
Good luck folks !!
Looking good in Yosemite right now.
The weather looks absolutely fantastic in Yosemite for the time of year and looks to remain fairly settled, although we know how quickly that can change ! Even so I will follow my gut and hope for a late closure this year. My prediction. December 2nd at 1am.
Dave.
It can change so quickly, but..........
Yosemite is still experiencing some glorious weather for the time of year with the outlook remaining settled. In the Valley the daytime temperatures look to remain in the mid 60f range and at over 8000ft on the pass they remain at mid to high 50f. What amazes me is, usually clear skies and high elevation means nighttime temps below freezing, but at the moment even ice doesn't look a threat to cause a closure.
Dave.
Closed for the season. (?)
According to the official Yosemite web pages, Tioga Pass and Glacier point have now been declared closed for the season. I am going to have to wait for clarification as there is some confusion. I believe it closed on November 20th at 6pm as previously stated, however, for the last week it has been declared closed on November 30th this year ! (Yeah go figure) I believe this was a mistake when someone was updating the scheduled closure of Mariposa Grove for the same date. Mark Sedenquist predicted November 20th way back at the start of this thread and looks to be the new Champ in waiting !
Dave.
That would be a surprise!
That sounds like insider trading -- But the odds of pulling this off are pretty remote.
The hump is growing!
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...inel_1129a.jpg
Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy
Mark
It's official ! New Champ in the house.
Yosemite have now updated the Tioga Pass Opening and closing date page and confirmed the pass closed on November 20th for this season.
That means we have a new Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champion and it's RTA's very own Mark Sedenquist !
Congratulations Mark it's been a long time coming ! ... and don't forget to post your POF (Proof of gas) photo. Haha !
Dave.
Been watching the radar -- lots of snow
Yeah, it would be a good time to be hibernating, if one were up there!
Sunny and the Hump is already melting!
Pretty day in the high Sierra!
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...tinel_0119.jpg
Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy -- January 19th at 2:00 pm PST
