Winter Rite of Passage: Tioga Pass Prognosticator #12

[Mark Sedenquist]

LOTS OF stimulus money is pouring through Caltrans' offices these days -- It certainly looks like Caltrans has lots of projects underway.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Another gorgeous day in Yosemite:

Taken today at about 12:30 pm
(Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)

[glc]

The Big Oak Flat road reopened Saturday after the rockslide. It's gravel now, and they will be temporarily reclosing it this week to repave it.

[Southwest Dave]

Another lovely day on the pass and a good week of weather fore casted ahead, leaves the contest still in the balance as we move into February.

On we go !!!

Dave.

[CAnative]

The NPS posted a Tuolumne Meadows winter update today stating that 40 inches of snow fell in the last 2 weeks and 20 inches remain on the ground.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmconditions.htm

Anyone know how far the measuring station is from the highway?

[Southwest Dave]

There has been no further info from Yosemite but it looks as though there is the possibility of snow through Tuesday. At the moment it doesn't look as though it will amount to much, but it might turn into enough to 'call it'.

Anyone know how far the measuring station is from the highway?

I don't, and although it is a good indicator of what's going on up there, it's not necessarily relevant to the road condition/status along it's lenght. The Meadows might only have a few inches of of snow, but in other locations, like at the Tioga entrance station to the east and at a higher elevation, typically sees more snow depth. It's currently recorded as having a snow depth of 24".

The closing remains listed as January 17 @ 4pm and I suspect that is going to be it. I will try and get an 'eyes on' update from Yosemite and see if we can put you out of your misery real soon ! lol ;-)

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

Earlier in the day the view from the Sentinel Webcam seemed to confirm that the snow is still melting away and Yosemite NP staff are still keeping their options open.

A statement.

Yosemite National Park >> Although the high country has some snow, it is melting very quickly. The Tioga Road remains closed at this time, however, barring any further large snow storms, the road has not been officially closed for the season. Please keep checking in regarding a season closure.

It's not unusual to play a 'waiting game' for the closure comps, but usually a big snowstorm arrives and is followed by more snow resulting in a closure. This just isn't happening this year. The levels are at 30% of average for the time of year.

Having said that, the unsettled weather has set in today as forecasted, but is only expected to produce an inch or two of new snow before settling down again.

From the Sentinel Cam.



On we go !

[glc]

This may be a technicality - Caltrans says 120 is closed for the winter. Perhaps the park will try to open the road from Crane Flat to the east entrance station - now, would this consist of a closure or not?

[Southwest Dave]

.....with no real answer.

The only thing I can say for sure, is that as part of the competition rules, the Yosemite NP closure date - when confirmed, is 'final'.

I would think that the east kiosk gate is controlled by Yosemite NP. It would seem that no further plowing will be taking place this year, if it was going to, I imagine it would be open by now. [?] In that case, if Yosemite were to open the road/ gate and deemed the pass 'fit for travel', I presume the approach road [maintained by Caltrans] would also be passable with no preparation needed. [?]

What Caltrans 'take' on that would be, or whether using CA120 to the gate would have legal issues, I have no idea.

We have not travelled this road before, so we wait to see what's around the corner !

Dave.

[ Another nice week of weather forecast ahead, with temps above 7500ft almost touching the 50's. Not sure this is gonna be finalised anytime soon !!

[glc]

In that case, if Yosemite were to open the road/ gate and deemed the pass 'fit for travel', I presume the approach road [maintained by Caltrans] would also be passable with no preparation needed. [?]

Not at all, I'm afraid.

As with most Sierra passes, the western side is a lot more gradual than the eastern side. So, in comparison, 120 from the eastern gate down to Lee Vining is a lot more rugged, winding, and steep than the road up from Crane Flat. The road, with no plowing, could very well be fine on the western side but very treacherous, if even passable, on the eastern side. I highly doubt that Caltrans will expend any effort on 120 till spring due to funding issues.