Competition. Tioga Pass Prognosticator No:27. Spring opening.

[Southwest Dave]

Welcome !! This is the 27th consecutive Tioga Pass Prognosticator
where we try to guess the future status of this famous road.!

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 across the Sierra Nevada. As such, it has become the RTA harbinger for the start of the summer road trip season in the west. Our previous contest saw Mark Sedenquist crowned the new TppC (Tioga pass prognosticator Champion) when he correctly predicted the pass would close on November 20th 2018 for the winter season. 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 2019. 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 Spring 2019 Tioga pass prognosticator Champ ?

Want to win a tank of gas for your road trip ride ?? Read on.

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...

Just follow the rules below and good luck !!

*** 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.

A wonderful capture from the Sentinel web cam taken on January 21st 2019.
Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy

Our reigning Tioga Pass Prognosticator champ is Mark Sedenquist who correctly predicted the 2018 winter closing contest.

Here's the full list of previous Champs.

Tioga Pass Prognosticator Winners:

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 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



Below is some info you may find helpful.

Official Tioga Pass openings in recent years:
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

Here is a link to Yosemite's official opening and closing dates page.

And a list of dates for other Sierra Nevada passes.

And here are views of what's happening in Yosemite right now.

And here are some previous Spring opening threads.

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 2010.

And some POG Photo's. (Proof of Gas)


Mark Sedenquist Winter Closing, 2018



George Carey (glc) Spring opening 2014.



George Carey. Spring opening 2013.



Jessica Beagles-Roos [CAnative] 2011 winter closing.



CAnative Spring 2011.



Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010.



Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009

[anuj1985]

May 28 at 10 am

[Southwest Dave]

Hi anuj1985.

Don't forget to select your date range in the Poll above.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

May 12th at noon

And I have not forgotten to capture a POG moment...

[Utahtea]

June 1st at noon

I voted!

[Mark Sedenquist]

A little more snow than we've seen of late: (that brownish color is the upper point of Half Dome, just peeking above the snow hump line)


Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy (February 6th at 8 am PST)

Compare this view with the one taken on January 21st -- you can see that same point!

Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy

Here's a view from the Ahawahnee Meadow about the same time:

Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy (February 6th at 8 am PST)

Most of the web cams located on mountain peaks around the Sierras are now covered with snow! Can't see anything but light through the crystals.

And another shot taken right around 8:15 am -- as the morning light hits El Capitan:

Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy

And check this out -- taken at 11 am PST -- There has rarely been a "ground level" to show the shadow of the web camera before!

Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy

[Southwest Dave]

Yeah that's a lot of snow !! Official site says all roads are closed in the park at present.

Yosemite has received heavy snow, which has caused numerous trees to fall. As a result all roads are currently closed. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check current road status. People in Yosemite should stay indoors if possible to avoid falling trees.

Looks as though they are expecting more snowfall through the weekend.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Half Dome climbs back into view!

Still a lot of snow up there! And now that we can see the mountains, the "tip" that was just barely visible in the previous photos wasn't Half Dome afterall -- it was the peak behind and to the east of Half Dome. I don't know that name!


Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy (February 8th at 8:00 am PST)

[Southwest Dave]

Another significant amount of snowfall is expected through the weekend.

From the National weather service.

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of one to
three feet likely, with isolated amounts of four feet near
Yosemite National Park. A few inches of snow is possible in
elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. Winds could gust as
high as 65 mph on exposed ridgetops and near the crest.

* WHERE...Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon and Tulare
County mountains.

* WHEN...Until 4 AM PST Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be very difficult to
impossible. Strong winds could cause tree damage. The cold
wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on
exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I think we have white-out conditions in the park now.


Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy (February 9th at 6:16 pm PST)