Winter Rite of Passage: Tioga Pass Prognosticator #12

[Mark Sedenquist]

George,

The Sheriff actually has a human-based dialogue going with someone at the NPS and they've not confirmed that it's really closed for good this year...

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Hopefully I will soon get confirmation and we can put this epic and historic Winter closing contest to bed [I might get a 'day off' before Spring opening contest starts ! lol] ;-)

However, it looks like the NPS site has a date - January 17. I assume this was the planned closure at 7pm.

That has actually been posted for a few day's, yet I have been told it will be re-assessed after the storm and there is a chance it willl re-open. The storm has gone through and the forecast is very settled, although the Caltrans statement and a reported snow depth of around 18 inches suggests it could well be the end.

Yosemite have also released the first 'Tuolumne Meadows Winter report' which points towards the Ski/Snowshoe season, but in that report there was a 'Maybe'.

Hiking Conditions and Weather: This is the first weekly update for the "winter" of 2011-12. Up until January 17 at 7pm you could see and visit Tuolumne Meadows from the comfort of your automobile. This is the latest Tioga Pass has been open since they've kept records in 1933. Given the latest forecast, ice skating season may finally be over! Although this weather gave many a unique opportunity to explore the area in ways never been done this time of year, let's hope we can don our skis once and for all.

Yosemite news.

Earlier I mentioned a Rock slide that closed CA120 on the Big Oak flat road and has blocked access to the valley from that direction. This article shows the damage to the roadway and in further reports I have read it could take "several weeks" to re-open depending on reports.

Terrible and sad news of a Yosemite park Ranger who was killed in his tent by a falling tree during the latest storm. R.I.P.

[Mark Sedenquist]

-- Part-time ranger Ryan Hiller, 27, was killed Saturday when strong winds felled a tree, crushing his tent in an employee housing area of the park, officials said.

He had worked for Yosemite for 5 years, so he made it through last year's incredible snow storm. Truly a bummer.

[Southwest Dave]

At the moment they are not ruling out the possibility of it re-opening.

From Yosemite.

"There is still significant snow on the Tioga Road at this point. We will look again at the road next week and hope to make an announcement soon as to whether or not it is closed for the season. The Badger Pass Ski Area opened for the season today so only the first 5 miles of the Glacier Point Road are open in order to access the ski area. However, for current road conditions call 209/372-0200."

And on we go !!!

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Far out... I still have a chance at this thing....

Mark

[glc]

Interesting.....

The Caltrans pass closure page is now showing everything is closed for the winter except the June Lake Loop (but the current conditions page shows the June Lake Loop as currently closed by snow). The date for the Tioga closure is 1/25.

Is it possible that regardless of what Yosemite thinks, Caltrans has no intentions of trying to reopen their part of 120 between the pass and Lee Vining?

[Mark Sedenquist]

They usually work together on the road maintenance issues. Maybe budget issues have hit Caltrans too?

I bet that Jan 25th date will hold up.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Wow, look how much has already melted though...


(photo courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy)
Taken January 27th at about noon PST.

[glc]

Maybe budget issues have hit Caltrans too?

Caltrans is always broke these days.

[DonnaR57]

That's because California is broke.



Donna