Contest. Tioga Pass Prognosticator 22.

[Southwest Dave]

When will the Tioga Pass close for the winter season ?

This is our Twenty second attempt at predicting the correct date and time for the opening and closing of the Tioga Pass. This is one of the most scenic drives in the American west and is found along CA Highway 120 as it 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. The Yosemite Rangers will announce the closure when they feel it is no longer safe or advisable for motor vehicles to travel the road.

Do you have what it takes to be crowned
the Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champion

.................................................. ...................................

Each year with changing weather patterns and budget cuts, it is becoming much more of a challenge to predict the correct date, but you have to be in it to win it !! Maybe you are a weather guru, own a Crystal Ball, have a memorable date in mind, or you simply throw a dart at the calendar. Whatever your method, can you predict this years winning date and win a tank of gas for your road trip ride ?

Two very different images of Half Dome from the same Webcam.





Our most recent winner and still the reigning Chief Prognosticator is RTA member 'Tantrum' who correctly predicted the Spring Opening in 2015. If you wish to take that title you can enter for free and win a tank of gas, this is what you need to do.

"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*

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...

So here's official list of the Prognosticators Extraordinaire To-Date: -- as approved by Sheriff & Chief Wrangler Dave Gomm:

Tioga Pass Prognosticator Winners:

*** 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)

*************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

Some information and Links that might help you along the way.

Official Tioga Pass Closings in recent years:
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

Here are previous predictive efforts back to 2010.
Spring Opening 2016
Winter closing 2015
Spring opening 2015
Winter closing 2014.
Spring opening 2014
Winter closing 2013
Spring opening 2013
Winter closing 2012
Spring opening 2012
Winter closing 2011
Spring opening 2011
Winter closing 2010
Spring opening 2010

Yosemite NP's official list of previous openings and closures can be found here.

And a link to opening and closing dates for other Sierra Nevada passes.

And to see what's happening in Yosemite right now, check out the Webcams.

And POG photo's [Proof of Gas] from previous winners.

George Cary [glc] Spring opening 2014.


.....and George again Spring opening 2013.


Jessica Beagles-Roos [CAnative] 2011 winter closing.


CAnative 2011 Spring opening.


Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010


Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009

Good luck !!

[Mark Sedenquist]

First dart in: November 18, 2016 at Noon

Mark

[travelingman]

November 17, 2016 At 11:45 am

[Southwest Dave]

To everyone taking part please check that your date and time predictions are posted in a thread and you have 'Pinged the Poll' above. ( We have some entered into the Poll who have not posted their actual selection and Vice Versa.)

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...**)

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)

Dave.

[travelingman]

I don't see any poll

[Southwest Dave]

You should see the Poll selection at the top of this thread travelingman then click 'Vote now'. (?)

[Southwest Dave]

Otherwise known as Fireworks night. I am going to predict November 5th @ 10am.

Dave

[travelingman]

You should see the Poll selection at the top of this thread travelingman then click 'Vote now'. (?)

The poll does not show on my Iphone device!

I logged on with my laptop and it does show there. I was able to vote!

If others are having the same trouble using their Iphone, go to a computer instead. Yeah, I know, who still uses their laptop?

update: Although the poll doesn't show on my Iphone, it verified that it does work with two different Android tablets. Guess the poll just isn't compatible with Iphones, but that is how I read my email.

[Southwest Dave]

It's looking beautiful up on the high ground as September nears an end.

Oct.jpg

However there is a little snow possible in the forecast for Sunday into Monday morning, just to remind us we will be into October with the possibility of some early winter storms not too far away.

Dave.

[glc]

Expect a closure this weekend due to the big storm in the Pacific Northwest. Very high winds, rain, and up to 8 inches of snow is forecast for Tioga Pass. Ebbetts and Sonora are both already closed due to the storm.