Competition ! The 36th Tioga pass prognosticator. Winter closing.

[Southwest Dave]

How would you like to win a free tank of gas for your road trip ride ??

This is our 36th attempt at predicting future road conditions on one of our favorite mountain crossings in the American West, the Tioga pass. The Tioga pass (CA 120) crosses the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains through Yosemite NP and one thing we know for sure is, each year the Fall/Winter snows will descend upon the mountains and close access to Road trippers for many months. What we don't know is when ! The Spring opening broke many records this year, producing more snow and opening later than at any other time on record so will that trend continue ? Could it be that this year will be the least number of days it has remained open, or the latest closure ?? Who knows ? This is your chance to use your predictive skills and win that tank of gas, we don't care how you arrive at the date, you can throw a dart at the calender, gaze at a crystal ball or study weather patterns and previous years results, or what ever else it takes !

All you gotta do is follow a few simple rules laid out below and your next road trip could start out with some free miles !

The Competition.

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.

****Please read 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).
*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 you must "Ping the Poll" at the top of page (This is done by completing your poll selection).


Contrasting images from the High Sierra webcam.





Some info from previous years that could help guide you.

Official closing dates in recent years.

2022 October 31st
2021 October 21st (Very early closure)
2020 November 5th
2019.November 19th
2018:November 20th
2017: November 14th
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

A link to Yosemite NPS official Tioga pass opening/closing page

Take a look at the High Sierra webcam for whats happening right now !

And links to our previous 10 Winter closing competitions.

2022 Winter closing
2021 Winter closing
2020 Winter closing. Cancelled due to pandemic.
2019 Winter closing
2018 Winter closing
2017 Winter closing
2016 Winter closing
2015 Winter closing
2014 Winter closing
2013 Winter closing

Previous Tioga pass prognostcator Champs !

Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2018. Reigning Champ !
......................(tantrum), Spring 2015 Opening (never identified or claimed the prize)
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 (never identified or claimed the prize)

..and the DcTPP's (Darn close Tioga pass prognosticators)

************** Mark Sedenquist 2023 Spring opening
************** Southwest Dave 2022 Spring opening
************** tseeb. 2020 Spring opening
**************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

Here are some of our lucky winners filling up their rides !

Mark Sedenquist. Winter closing 2018 and still reigning Champ !


George Carey (glc) Spring opening 2014


George again Spring 2013. (Back to back wins)


CANative Spring 2011.


Brian Shannon. (Exodus) Spring, 2010.


Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009

[UKCraig]

6pm on 22nd December :)

[Mark Sedenquist]

First Dart of this season lands on Friday, November 17th at 8 am

Good luck to all Prognosticators!

Nice work, Sheriff Dave-- getting this one set-up again!

[liam2k04_]

November 14th at 6 pm!!

[Southwest Dave]

The high ground is starting to look a little wintry with signs of rain turning to snow and overnight temperatures dropping as low as 14F later in the week. It's this time of year we can see temporary closures if Tioga pass ices up overnight, but it doesn't look too bad at all at present.

I am going to go for December 2nd at 4pm.

Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

Sounding chilly.

I think I have already missed my prognostication?

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Sounding chilly.

I think I have already missed my prognostication?

Mark

You're still in it with November 17th.

Clouding up a bit today. View from the Sentinel webcam right now.


Down in Yosemite valley the temperature is hovering around 70F during the day and around 32F during the night.

Dave

[tseeb]

I haven't been watching this website as picking closure is tough, but Truckee weather showed snow this afternoon and friend who lives there sent me picture of wet snow falling at his house at 6,000'. I'd heard that I-80 had first chain control of this Fall and that Tioga was closing this afternoon (temporarily?) due to snow, but roads.dot.ca.gov says 120 "Is closed from crane flat to 3 mi west of the Jct of US 395 /Tioga Pass/ (Tuolumne, Mono Co) at 1800 hrs on 10/25/23 - For the winter - " so I'm picking Nov. 9 at 7 PM which is 15 days from today.

[glc]

The Yosemite website says it's a temporary closure, so we shall see.

[Southwest Dave]

Since the pandemic they do tend to close it temporarily but then make no effort to get it open and let nature decide.(Unlike before) I can only imagine this is more to do with ice than snow as I couldn't see any significant amounts predicted in the forecast. Maybe this is the way it's going to remain in the future, due to 'Health and safety' rules.

Dave