Competition: Tioga pass prognosticator No 29. (Spring opening 2020)

[Southwest Dave]

Having looked at the Sentinel webcam image a few days ago only to see a white out, I was quite surprised by todays image that shows 'the hump' on the bottom right of the image has reduced.



This could prove to be another strange year as far as the opening goes, as in if the Tioga pass is officially opened, but the park is still closed due to the Coronavirus. As always I think it's right we should go with the first official announcement.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Strange year seems to be the common thread. Have you seen evidence that Caltrans has started work on the road yet?

How are things with you WRT COVID-19 and your business? Crews still going out to sea?

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

And now a gorgeous view from the eastern Sierra Nevada! Spring weather at it's finest.


Courtesy of the Mt. Whitney Cam

[glc]

From the NPS Yosemite website:

Tioga Road
Tioga Road opened to traffic during limited hours on June 21 and to unrestricted travel on July 1, 2019.

Opening operations for 2020 will begin on or about April 15, 2020. Updates will appear here shortly thereafter.

Glacier Point Road
Glacier Point Road opened for the season to vehicles on May 10, 2019.

Opening operations for 2020 will begin on or about April 15, 2020. Updates will appear here shortly thereafter.

Glacier Point Road will be closed to all traffic in 2021 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The only access to Glacier Point will be via the Four Mile, Panorama, and Pohono Trails, all of which are strenuous hikes.

[Southwest Dave]

From the NPS Yosemite website:

Glacier Point Road will be closed to all traffic in 2021 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The only access to Glacier Point will be via the Four Mile, Panorama, and Pohono Trails, all of which are strenuous hikes.

Wow ! For us Glacier point was one of the highlights of the park. Still well worth visiting Yosemite but this wil be a big miss for those that haven't been before.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Another beautiful day in Yosemite

Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

[Utahtea]

Looking like a nice weather storm.

It is pretty chilly here in the Las Vegas area too.

Mark

Just heard on the news that the Northern Sierra's snowpack is only 53% of normal. We need that snow!

Utahtea

[Southwest Dave]

Strange year seems to be the common thread. Have you seen evidence that Caltrans has started work on the road yet?

How are things with you WRT COVID-19 and your business? Crews still going out to sea?

Mark

No evidence of Caltrans on CA120 although work in the park doesn't normally begin until around April 15th.

We are still trading at present, as suppiers of fresh produce we are regarded as 'essential' and particularly for those customers with dietary requirements. Also the fresh air and more open surroundings of the beach is not a bad place to go for shopping when compared to the queues at the supermarkets. The only thing we can see changing this situation, is if they closed the port, but as it is mainly a fishing harbour for local boats and small vessels we hope this won't be the case.

Off topic a little lighthearted news. These goats that reside on the Great Orme in North Wales ( who don't normally head anywhere near the town of Llandudno) have totally ignored government Social distancing measures and have decided to go out dining in town.



I wonder if we will see more of this behaviour, more bears etc wandering down out of the hills into Yosemite valley and surrounding towns.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I don't know if the bears would wander into town. They might find it nice to have the natural areas of the park to themselves.

Thanks for sharing the goat video!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Heavy snow is falling in the Sierra Nevada bringing several feet of snow and hazardous conditions.

From the National weather centre.

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT MONDAYABOVE 5000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected above 5000 feet. Three to four feet
of snow is likely above 7000 feet. Two to three feet of snow
is expected from 5000 to 7000 feet. The majority of this snow
will fall Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. Winds could gust
as high as 50 mph on exposed ridgetops and along the crest.

* WHERE...Southern Sierra Nevada above 5000 feet.

* WHEN...The Winter Storm Warning is valid from 8 AM PDT Sunday
morning until 5 PM PDT Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be extremely difficult or nearly
impossible. Tire chains will likely be required. Expect road
closures due to snow cover. If you plan to travel, consider
alternate strategies.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.