Winter Rite of Passage: Tioga Pass Prognosticator #12

[Mark Sedenquist]

Caltrans tends to close Ebbetts early -- snow removal chores there are a bear. But Sonora might be "closed" on paper, but I know someone who drove over the pass recently.

Mark

[glc]

They both simply say closed by snow - not for the winter.

[CAnative]

Yosemite National Park website currently states that Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads are open but adds a closure date and time for Glacier Point road.

Glacier Point Road Open
Closes Sunday, 12/11 at 6pm. No overnight parking

[Utahtea]

Caltrans tends to close Ebbetts early -- snow removal chores there are a bear. But Sonora might be "closed" on paper, but I know someone who drove over the pass recently.

Mark

I wonder if they let Ebbetts close early for the snowmobile season.

Utahtea

[Southwest Dave]

Got a shock when I looked on the Yosemite opening and closing dates page. I'm sure the link will update automatically and be corrected, but at this moment in time it reads something like this;

2011 > Tioga road > Opened June 18th > Closed November 18th [and Glacier closed November 19th. ]

The pass remains open according to Caltrans and the Yosemite 'Current conditions page'.

It also mentions the closing of Glacier point road on 12/11 at 6pm but remains listed as open today !! Confused ? You betcha !!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hmmm, yeah Sheriff Dave, that's an interesting observation since the page you referenced has heretofore been the official date page used in this contest...

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Looking at the web cams today, the weather looks dry and cool. No wonder that the road is still open! This is starting to get worrisome (in terms of the lack of snow pack).

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Recapping....

December 12th at 4 pm....Southwest Dave
December 13th at 8:30 am.....Mark Sedenquist
December 14th at noon.......glc
December 15th at 3 pm....CAnative
December 16th at 10am.. Midwest Michael
December 18th at 9:00 am....Utahtea
December 23rd at 9:00 am....CAguy90230
December 25th at 9:00 am....CalOldBlue
December 29th at 8:30 am.....Mark Sedenquist ****

[Southwest Dave]

Well at least I still have a few hours left to get it right !

Actually looking at the Sentinel cam right now, it looks as though the weather is closing in. There is a slight chance of snow this afternoon and through the night into tomorrow. Although there is little accumulation expected, any moisture could be hazardous as temps are dipping to 11F [-11C] with wind chill values at Zero F [-17C] into Tuesday.

Forever hopeful !

[Southwest Dave]

It's been closed ! :-)

From Caltrans.

SR 120
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 5 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/
(TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - DUE TO SNOW - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE
ROUTE

Now we have to wait and see if it will reopen yet again and whether or not the Yosemite site alters the official closing date page. As always, it's that listing that finally decides the correct date for this contest , er -even though it's wrong at the moment!