Competition time. The 31st Tioga pass prognosticator. Spring opening 2021.
Fancy a free tank of gas for your road trip ride? Read on.
Howdy folks ! With the Tioga pass now closed for the winter season, it's time to turn our attention to Spring 2021 and predict when we think the Tioga pass will open up to travellers once again.
A wonderful winter image from the Sentinel webcam.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...tinel_0121.jpg
Tioga pass is found in Yosemite National park along California state route 120 where it crosses the Sierra Nevada and is usually the last of the mountain passes to open up across the Sierra's. As such, it has become the RTA harbinger for the start of the summer road trip season in the west. This is a tricky one to predict with our last Spring opening Champion being tantrum in 2015 although Mark Sedenquist is our reigning Tppc (Tioga pass prognosticator champion) when he correctly predicted the winter closing in 2018. Now it's time to see if we can find a new champ who can correctly predict when the pass will open for the Spring of 2021. We don't mind how you do it, you can use a crystal ball, study data or just throw a dart at the calendar, ***as long as you follow the rules posted below.*** So, have you got what it takes to be crowned the Spring 2021 Tioga pass prognosticator ??
The contest.
You are welcome to use your predictive talents and if you manage to hit the correct date -- the RTA Editorial group will pay for a tank of Roadtrip fuel in your personal roadtrip ride. Legal has suggested that we identify what this means.... So, for the record, the prize will be limited to $75.00 USD* ************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 can also be arbitrary & capricious) Got a beef? Or a question? Take it up with him...
The rules.
*** 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 OPENING date. **Your "date" must be identified in a post on this thread
** ** 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 opening time within 60 minutes.... you'll receive an additional surprise gift from RTA.
*** Once you have selected your date you must select the relevant date range in the Poll above.
* 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.***
Here is a list of our previous Tioga pass prognosticator Champs.
Mark Sedenquist. Winter closing 2018
*** 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 our list of Dctpp's. (Darn close Tioga pass Prognosticators)
*****************anuj1985 Winter 2019
**************Southwest Dave. Spring 2019
************** 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
(The Winter closing competition was cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic)
Below you will find information from previous years that may help you in your choice.
Official Tioga Pass openings in recent years:
2020 June 15th (9am)
2019 June 21st (9am) *** This was a time restricted opening to traffic and fully opened on July 1st 8am)***
2018 May 21st (9am)
2017 June 29th, (8am)
2016 May 18th (Noon)
2015 May 4th (8 am)
2014 May 2nd (Noon)
2013 May 11th (Noon)
2012 May 7th (Noon)
2011 June 18th (8:45 am)
2010 June 5th (8:00 am)
2009: May 19th (10:30 am)
2008: May 21st (8:00 am)
2007: May 11th (this was an early one!)
2006: June 17th
2005: June 24th
2004: May 14th
2003: May 31st
2002: May 22nd
2001: May 12th
A link to historic opening and closing dates from Yosemite's official webpage.
And a view of whats happening in Yosemite right now.
And here are the Spring opening threads from the last decade.
Spring opening 2020.
Spring opening 2019.
Spring opening 2018.
Spring opening 2017.
Spring opening 2016.
Spring opening 2015.
Spring opening 2014.
Spring opening 2013.
Spring opening 2012.
Spring opening 2011.
Spring opening 2010.
And here are some POG photos. (Proof of gas as our winners fill their road trip rides )
Mark Sedenquist. Winter closing 2018. (and reigning Champ !)
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...19_Barstow.jpg
George Carey. Spring opening 2014.(glc)
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...y_2014_650.jpg
George again in Spring 2013.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...ey_07-3-13.jpg
CAnative Spring 2011
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
Best of luck everyone and here's hoping for an end to this awful pandemic and a happy Road trippin season in 2021 !!
Dave.
Keeping everything crossed !
You gotta keep hoping Rick although I think we are a way off from this darn virus being done with !
Here's the view from the Sentinel webcam this morning.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...h-Nov-2020.jpg
Dave.
Reminder of the rules for all.
You must post your predictions in the thread and then 'ping' the poll above in the relevant date range.
Rick you have 'pinged' the poll above but not identified your prediction in a post, which is required for it to count.
Mark, you have done the opposite and not 'pinged' the poll.
Dave.
The Sentinel webcam is back.
The Sentinel Webcam has been out of action on my last few visits to it, but it's back with us now. There has been some fresh dustings of snow and a bit more forecast over the high ground of Yosemite for Christmas. There doesn't look to be much but 24 inches has settled in Tuolumne meadows at 8600ft.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...-22nd-2020.jpg
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas !
Dave.
6 to 10 feet of snow accumulation possible !
Looks like a lot of snow is on it's way to the Sierra's in the next few days !!
This is the forecast in Tuolumne meadows area.
Quote:
WednesdaySnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread dense freezing fog, mainly before 10am. High near 31. Wind chill values as low as zero. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 26 to 32 inches possible.
Wednesday NightSnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 16. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 22 to 28 inches possible.
ThursdaySnow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 15 to 21 inches possible.
Thursday NightSnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 11. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
And this is an urgent weather warning issued by the National weather service !
Winter Storm Warning
Quote:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Hanford CA
451 AM PST Tue Jan 26 2021
CAZ190>194-262100-
/O.CON.KHNX.WS.W.0002.210127T0600Z-210129T1200Z/
Central Sierra Foothills-Southern Sierra Foothills-Central Sierra-
North Kings River-Sequoia Kings-
Including the cities of Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Squaw Valley,
Auberry, North Fork, Mariposa, Springville, Three Rivers,
Devils Postpile, Florence Lake, Lake Thomas Edison,
Tuolumne Meadows, Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Wawona, Shaver Lake,
Camp Nelson, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Grant Grove,
and Johnsondale
451 AM PST Tue Jan 26 2021
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING
TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...Total snow accumulation of 6 to 10 feet expected above
4,000 feet. Total snow accumulation of 5 to 10 inches expected
from 2,000 feet to 4,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
* WHERE...Central Sierra Foothills, Southern Sierra Foothills,
Central Sierra, North Kings River and Sequoia Kings Counties.
* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 4 AM PST Friday.
* IMPACTS...The hazardous conditions could impact travel across
mountainous areas. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
Dave.
Some believed it was still happening !
Yes I'd also heard about the tipping of embers, not so good ! Some of the photos from this years 'event' were so realistic there were comments for this practice to be banned immediately !!
Dave.
Reservations will be required to enter park from May 21st.
Spring has sprung ?? Reports from Yosemite say that following a warm week there is a lot more bare ground opening up as the snowpack shrinks. Despite the Spring feel to the weather the Tioga pass still has winter conditions with up to 4 foot of snow in places and there is a lot of work to be done as follows.
Quote:
Why does it take so long to open the roads?
Even after plowing has been completed, trash collection, functioning restrooms, and adequate staffing must be in place to prevent harm to park resources.
Additionally, these are common causes for slow progress on the Tioga Road:
Road repairs, ditching, and brushing operations must occur once snow has melted back enough. The roads may also remain very icy even after they're plowed.
Avalanche zones (26 potential areas). The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires careful work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel.
Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.
Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow can cause substantial damage to equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they're cleared.
Rockfalls buried by the snow can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.
Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations in order to plow and sand park roads that are open.
The April 1st surveys show the snowpack to be at 63% of average this year, so not a good one for the water table. As yet I have not seen a report of snowplows being put to work as they normally start around the 15th April, they do mention that COVID 19 will continue to affect operations during 2021. (Not making this comp any easier !) Also> Reservations will be required to enter the park starting May 21st through to September 30th, unless public health conditions improve before this date.
Dave.
Avoid crowds if you can !
Donna. This is the exact reason why we travel off peak season. I travel to get away from it all, not go with it ! I would rather have shorter days and chillier weather than little space. (I understand it's not an option for a lot of families with school aged Kids, teachers etc etc and I am grateful that we have certain freedoms (putting pandemics to one side lol) to do this !)
Dave.
Teeny bit jealous. (A lot)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tseeb
Interesting post by couple who have been lucky enough to "serve as the Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers" for at least the last couple of years.
Here's the link.
My wife and I spent last week skiing the CA Sierra (with two runs on both of my two days at Heavenly into NV). We traveled with our dog and had four nights in camper and three at family cabin in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Picture is from Vista Point overlooking Mono Lake near 8,143' Conway Summit.
Attachment 5023
While cleaning up email
I also found a link to Snowbrains which is about efforts to clear the three Sierra passes N of Tioga. These are done by Caltrans while Tioga Pass through Yosemite is cleared by and under control of National Parks Service.
Thanks for the links tseeb and pleased to hear you managed to get away for a break ! How I would love to be around the Sierras right now !
Dave.
Great to be getting out and about !
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Utahtea
The falls were gorgeous but the river was not as high as other springs that we have been there.
Utahtea
Yes the snowpack was about 63% of average so less run off. I would love to see the Falls in Spring one day when they are at full flow !
Dave.
