Tioga Pass Prognosticator #3

[Mark Sedenquist]

This is our third attempt at predicting future road conditions on one of our favorite mountain crossings in the American West.

Tioga Pass which is found on California State Route 120 provides the eastern access to Yosemite National Park and is usually the last pass opened to the roadtripping public each Spring. As such, it has become the RTA harbinger for the start of the summer road trip season in the west.

In 2006:
Tioga Pass officially opened on June 17th
Winter Closure occurred Thanksgiving Weekend in November There was a snowstorm on the 26th which closed the road for the 2006 season.

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

Good luck!

Current Records:
Prognosticators Extraordinaire To-Date:
Tioga Pass Prognosticator Winners:
Phil Boardman, (PhilB) Spring 2009 (Click here for news about this achievement)
weirj Winter 2008
******dcTPP (Darn Close -- Tioga Pass Prognosticator)
*************Don Casey (CalOldBlue) Winter 2009 Click here for the declaration of dcTPP winner!
*************Lynn & Victor (Hotel Charlotte) Spring 2008
*************Joey (Kinless) Spring 2007

[Mark Sedenquist]

My ever-faithful dart has struck the board on June 18th, 2007.

Mark

[Midwest Michael]

I'm thinking Spring doesn't arrive on Tioga until several days into Summer.

Put me down for June 28th.

[UKCraig]

Well my birthday is June 14, so I'd guess then :)

[RoadTripper Brad]

My guess will be June 12th. It seems like a good, even number.

[dj toast]

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.

I'm disqualifying myself from entering, since I'd feel too guilty winning a tank of fuel at U.K. prices!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I'm disqualifying myself from entering, since I'd feel too guilty winning a tank of fuel at U.K. prices!

Interesting -- I never considered that element. OK -- if you choose the correct day -- I will still stick with the intent of the challenge -- No matter where in the world and what the cost of petrol is there.... (subject to the clarification dated 12/18/06: total value not to exceed $75.00 USD)

Mark

[Peter Thody]

Okay then, as we have approval from the top for UK entries, a bit of research reveals that the average opening date has got earlier and earlier in the 73 years since 1933. In the 1930s it was June 19, in the 1990s it was June 4 and for the current decade it's May 28.

So, with a keen eye on Mark's $75 (just over half a tank in the UK I'm afraid), that's the date I'm going for: May 28th.

The same source reveals that the earliest opening was April 8 and the latest July 8.

[lnewman]

I'd guess my birthday as well....May 20.

[Bigfoot]

June 15, 11:55 pm, no doubt about it : )