Competition. The 28th Tioga pass prognosticator. Winter closing 2019.

[tseeb]

I drove W over Tioga Pass on Thurs, Nov 14. I think my original guess of Nov. 13 was based on that would be the day I'd need Tioga to be open to get to Mammoth, which opened the previous Saturday on man-made snow, and it would close.

I drove to Mammoth via South Lake Tahoe, stopping at Sly Park Reservoir for a short mountain bike ride that started just before sunset and finished in the dark, but before the full moon rose. Some of the advantages of going via Tahoe is that it breaks up the trip (I've never tried leaving San Jose early enough to ski Mammoth on arrival day) and fuel in Minden/Gardnerville area is less than in CA (although not as much less as it used to be except for diesel). Also my family has a cabin in So. Tahoe that had not been used since I was there at the end of Sept.

I'll let pictures (and captions) tell the rest of the story.
Early morning drives from Tahoe to Mammoth often have great sunrises. This is going down Kingsbury Grade
8463KingsburyGrade.jpg
Entrance to Yosemite. Snow on peaks in background is probably from last winter
8481TiogaEntrance.jpg
The entrance station may have closed on date of my original guess. Do I win anything
8482StationClosed.jpg
Next two pictures from Olmstead Point
8488HalfDome.jpg8490Avalanche.jpg

[tseeb]

A couple of more from Olmstead Point. First is the view to E featuring Tenaya Lake and Mt Conness. Second is Clouds Rest, the highest point visible from Yosemite Valley, and a long hike that ends in a knifes-edge ridge with a views including looking down on Half Dome. Also note the frozen waterfall? at left.
8492TenayaLakeFrOlmsteadPt.jpg8494CloudsRest.jpg
I stopped just before Crane Flat (Gas Station/Store) for 1 mile each way hike to Tuolumne Grove where there are about two dozen sequoias. The living trees there are not that big or impressive (for sequoias) compared to those at Calaveras Big Trees (where I have been a few times including last Summer and will probably RV/camp next Summer) and Sequoia National Park (where I have only been once). A sign warns to allow 2-3 hrs in less than 1:15, even though I walked loop at Grove, took a few pictures and stopped for a couple of minutes on the 400' climb back to trailhead.
8495BigOakFlatRoad.jpg8500TwoSequoias.jpg8504TunnelTree.jpg

[Southwest Dave]

Great pictures tseeb, Thanks for sharing !

With a winter weather warning in place Yosemite officials have decided to close the Tioga Pass from 3pm Tomorrow (19th November) until further notice. This is expected to be a temporary closure, but we will have to wait and see how it plays out.

Dave.

[tseeb]

Dave, Thanks for you appreciation of my efforts.

This week's storm went further N than predicted - we even had sprinkles overnight Tues in San Jose. Snowfall was supposed to be concentrated between Mammoth and South Lake Tahoe with predictions of 3-9" and 3-7" at Mammoth and Heavenly, respectively while they only received 1-2". Mt Rose ski area, located between NW corner of Lake Tahoe and Reno, with a base elevation of 8,260' received 6-7". Rose has been open since late Oct, but only Fri-Sun with beginner runs until tomorrow 11/22 when they open 7 days a week and may open more terrain.

Assuming Tioga re-opens in the next day or two, my guess of next Tuesday 11/26 could be very close as three days of snow and very cold weather is predicted next Tues-Thurs.

[Southwest Dave]

three days of snow and very cold weather is predicted next Tues-Thurs.

That's if it re-opens of course. It's still closed at the moment and with nightime temps hovering around -10C for the rest of the week it could be deemed unsafe if ice is an issue and with more snow is due, who knows ?

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

Here are some quotes taken from an official post on Yosemite's Facebook page.

We’re expecting lots of snow next week! Keep an eye on the forecast:

Based on the current forecast, tire chains will be required on all roads in the park and some roads normally open in winter could briefly close due to heavy snowfall and/or accidents.

Tioga Road will remain closed through this weekend, and we do not yet have a potential re-opening date.

So the pass isn't going to open prior to the weekend and there is potential for a lot of fresh snow. Hmm ?

Dave.

[tseeb]

Would they just open it for Monday and close it on Tuesday? Does not seem very likely.

While it seems like storm is slightly delayed, current predictions include 8-12" for Mammoth on Tues. night.

During my two stops in Yosemite earlier this month, it seemed like most of the people I heard were not speaking English. So I'm wondering if NPS does not want to have to deal with foreigners (and I do realize not all non-English speaking people are from other countries) having accidents due to icy conditions in a remote area with an incoming storm in rental vehicles .

I know this is picky, but I think I'll have to make further contact with NPS about https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaclosed.htm which is titled Driving Directions when the Tioga Road is closed. It says "When the Tioga Road is closed, alternate routes are available to get to various destinations", the directions are how to get to Yosemite from various destinations when Tioga road is closed, not "to various destinations".

[Southwest Dave]

Tioga is still listed as 'Temporarily closed' but I can't see anyway back from this incoming storm given that it's late November ! Look at those snow accumulation forecasts !

TodaySnow, mainly after 3pm. High near 29. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

TonightSnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 29 by 7pm. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 27 to 33 inches possible.

WednesdaySnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 16 by 9am. Wind chill values as low as zero. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 16 to 22 inches possible.

Wednesday NightSnow likely. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Thanksgiving DayA 40 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 27. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Thursday NightA 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening.

FridayA 20 percent chance of snow before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Winter storm warnings are in effect and if you are planning to visit Yosemite you should carry chains, expect delays and get the latest updates before travelling using the number below as listed on the official webpage.

Expect snow throughout Yosemite Tuesday–Friday (Nov. 24–27). Tire chains will be required on all park roads. Some roads normally open in winter could briefly close due to heavy snowfall and/or accidents. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) for updates.

Dave.

[glc]

I know it's not "official" yet, but Caltrans says Tioga is closed for the winter.

http://www1.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/Hourly

SR 120

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]

IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 4 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/
(TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - FOR THE WINTER - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN
ALTERNATE ROUTE

[Mark Sedenquist]

George,

Yeah, by our rules, the NPS is the determining factor of when the road is officially "closed" -- but I agree, it looks like we've achieved the end of Summer travel this year.


"Courtesy of the Yosemite Park Conservancy"

Not much of a hump this year -- but the high country is looking pretty white.

Mark