Tioga Pass Competition time once more ! The 35th Tppc !

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Craig.

Sometimes there is a delay with the updates, so I expect they are still working hard at it!

Dave

[UKCraig]

Delayed as you said! They are just trying to make me nervous ahead of our upcoming trip!!

July 6, 2023 (updated every Friday) *This week's update was delayed.

As reported last week, one lane is plowed the length of Tioga Road to Tioga Pass. Crews continue to clear snow from the roadway and shoulders. In addition, crews are conducting minor repairs, mitigating hazard trees, and performing other tasks necessary to prepare the Tioga Road for public access.

The avalanche hazard at Olmsted Point is declining due to the recent warm temperatures melting the heavy snow and ice. We are working to repair road damage at Olmsted Point, 10 miles west of Olmsted Point, and near Tamarack Flat Campground.

Park crews continue to make extensive repairs to employee housing, work areas, and visitor facilities. In order to protect public health, water quality, and other park resources, sanitation facilities must be available before the Tioga Road can open to the public. The park is contracting for pumping of vault toilets along the Tioga Road corridor and for potable toilets in employee housing and work areas. There is no estimated opening date for the Tioga Road.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

[Southwest Dave]

I can't imagine the pass not opening in the next week or 2, but to keep me in the game I am going to predict the opening to be at 5pm on August 1st.

Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

I can't imagine the pass not opening in the next week or 2, but to keep me in the game I am going to predict the opening to be at 5pm on August 1st.

Dave

And you thought I was guessing way too late -- on the 24th of July!

Mark

[liam2k04_]

Will have to bump my guess once again to July 29 at 8 am as my current guess is about to come invalid once again.

[UKCraig]

We are due there Monday 21st August around midday so my guess is for 24 hours following that point!

[Southwest Dave]

They are keeping us guessing by stating the Tioga pass will not open this weekend but they are "Optimistic" it will do before the end of the month. The road is clear but lots of work to do including clearing snow from the side roads and Parking lots, removing boulders and hazardous looking trees. They are also working on problems with Sanitation and safety issues before opening.

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

We are due there Monday 21st August around midday so my guess is for 24 hours following that point!

Hi Craig. Sorry you can't 'straddle' 2 dates but you can choose 21st or 22nd August ?

On another point, have you seen the reports on multi hour waiting in queues to enter the park? They advise to arrive early and get parked up. Being a Monday may help but it's still bang in the middle of the summer holidays.

Dave

[Southwest Dave]

Here in pictures (Thanks to Yosemite NPS) you can see some of the affects of this record beating winter and the work still ahead.

Road damage.




Rock debris. (This may have been a large rock they had just blasted)


Destruction of buildings


Digging out of trash cans and recycling bins


They also have problems to sanitation and are looking to get contractors to supply Porta Loos and pump out services while repairs are carried out.

Quite the task!!

Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yep, lots to do.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Mark