Competition time. The 31st Tioga pass prognosticator. Spring opening 2021.

[Utahtea]

Just got back from a trip that included going into Yosemite 4 times and to Sonora Pass from Groveland, CA

We had wanted to camp in Upper Pines in Yosemite. Yosemite is different than most of the National Park campsites we reserve. Five months in advance on the 15th of the month they book for 30 days! So 5 months in advance I got up at 6:30 am PST so I'd be on the computer ready to push the enter button to get a campsite and with in 8 minutes ALL the available campsites we could use were taken. Since we are retired the dates didn't matter to us and I kept trying for different dates and sites and NO LUCK! Very disappointing! That's why we ended up at a private campground in Groveland for 9 nights.

We went into the valley on three different days AVOIDING Saturday, April 17th because it was a Free National Park day and a fourth time to Hetch Hetchy section. Other people who went in said it was very crowded on the free pass day!

On April 12th, our full first day of the trip, we had hoped to snow shoe but the road to Badger Pass was closed because they were plowing the road. Crane Flats had just patches of snow. We went to the road closed sign and just very small patches of snow on the side of the road.

On April 13th we tried to find snow on Sonora Pass and again, just patches of snow where the road was closed for the season.

During the week the crowds in Yosemite were not bad at all. Most but not all people were wearing mask on the popular trails. The falls were gorgeous but the river was not as high as other springs that we have been there.

The temps in Yosemite Valley were in the 70's the three times we went It was predicted to get to 78 our last day there on April 19th. I'm sure the snow is melting FAST!

Utahtea

[Southwest Dave]

Interesting post by couple who have been lucky enough to "serve as the Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers" for at least the last couple of years. Here's the link.

My wife and I spent last week skiing the CA Sierra (with two runs on both of my two days at Heavenly into NV). We traveled with our dog and had four nights in camper and three at family cabin in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Picture is from Vista Point overlooking Mono Lake near 8,143' Conway Summit.
Attachment 5023

While cleaning up email I also found a link to Snowbrains which is about efforts to clear the three Sierra passes N of Tioga. These are done by Caltrans while Tioga Pass through Yosemite is cleared by and under control of National Parks Service.

Thanks for the links tseeb and pleased to hear you managed to get away for a break ! How I would love to be around the Sierras right now !

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

The falls were gorgeous but the river was not as high as other springs that we have been there.

Utahtea

Yes the snowpack was about 63% of average so less run off. I would love to see the Falls in Spring one day when they are at full flow !

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

There is a winter storm warning in place for Sunday 25th and Monday 26th April which could bring significant amounts of snow with it. If you are visiting Yosemite during this time there is a warning that snow chains may be required on some, or all roads.

While I'm here I'm going to take a guess and say it will open June 4th at Noon.

Dave.

[Utahtea]

Yes the snowpack was about 63% of average so less run off. I would love to see the Falls in Spring one day when they are at full flow !

Dave.

We use to go in April and May all the time and almost every year but Yosemite has gotten so popular and crowded we haven't been in four years. In some years we've visited lower Yosemite Falls and couldn't get close to the bridge because the spray was so bad, but that wasn't the case this year.

Here we are approaching Yosemite Falls on April 19th.




Our view of the falls as we ate lunch and they put on a pretty dazzling show!







Utahtea

[Southwest Dave]

Loving the pictures Utahtea, really nice images.

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

The Glacier point road opened on April 30th at 8am. Updates on Tioga says they have plowed the pass and are now working on side roads and parking lots. Looks like it could be quite an early opening.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

In that case, I am still hoping for an earlier opening -- My date of May 12th might hold up.

Although I sure wish there was more of snowpack.

Mark

[Utahtea]

In that case, I am still hoping for an earlier opening -- My date of May 12th might hold up.

Although I sure wish there was more of snowpack.

Mark

If you decide to pull your date...I get first dibs on it! It was going to be my first choice because it's my grandson's birthday! ;)

I was hoping for a very good late spring snow. I guess it could still happen....but enough to make a difference....probably not. :(

Utahtea

[tseeb]

Sonora Pass was scheduled to open Thursday, May 6 at noon. See https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news...season-travel/ and according to roads.ca.dot.gov is now open. Nearly 1,000' lower Ebbetts Pass is closed as they are working on the road.

I may use Sonora to return from Mammoth next week. While snowfall and snowpack is well below average, three ski areas are still open in CA. Alpine Meadows will close this weekend. Squaw Valley which owns Alpine and is putting in a gondola this summer that will connect the two areas is now planning to remain open until May 16 after hoping to make it to the end of May. Mammoth should be able to make it until the end of May.