Tioga Pass Prognosticator #9

[Southwest Dave]

The crews had to stop plowing due to unstable avalanche conditions but should have resumed work by now.

The NPS has added a new feature, a map of where the plows are currently located on the current conditions page.

Avalanche zone [from the NPS site]



In case anyone is wondering why the East entrance kiosk picture cam hasn't been updated [as shown in post 1], it is because the power has been down during the winter months. Hopefully it will be up and running soon.

[exodus]

Hello everyone again,

I can't believe it's been a year already. We had a wonderful time up in the Tioga Pass area fishing and hiking last year. We are planning on going up on the 'same' weekend this year (June 22 - 27), but it looks like we'll definitely have to be looking out for snow.

Here's the update from the Tioga Pass website:

Tioga Road:
Ending location: May Lake Pit, 26.6 miles from Crane Flat
Average snow depth: 8 to 9 feet
Plowing operations will continue today.

My guess is June 5th 8:00am.

[Midwest Michael]

I guess I haven't guessed yet, so I'll go with a late date - June 23rd; 10am

[Southwest Dave]

It could well be a late opening !

Look at the comparison between 2008 [opened 21st May] and this years effort. 4 day's and 8 miles behind, but look at the difference in snow depth, almost double this year !

Yesterday's report:
Tioga Road progress for May 1, 2008
Starting Location: 32 miles from Crane Flat
Ending Location: 34.5 miles from Crane Flat (Ghost Forest)
Distance plowed today: 2.5 miles
Average Snow depth: 5 feet

And the latest [May 5th]

Tioga Road:
Ending location: May Lake Pit, 26.6 miles from Crane Flat
Average snow depth: 8 to 9 feet
Plowing operations will continue today.

[exodus]

Here's an update:

Tioga Road Update:
Crew currently at Pothole Dome 37 plowed miles of 42 miles.
Plowing continues Monday - Saturday.
Average Snow Depth is 4 to 6 feet Plowing operation will continue today

Seems like they may actually punch all the way through by the end of this week. That typically means the road is approximately 2 weeks away from opening, assuming they have typical maintenance to do, and the spring snows are kept at bay.

[Southwest Dave]

Wow, they really have made some progress , and moved on some more !

Tioga Road:
Crew currently at Visitor Center: 38.6 plowed miles of 42 miles. Plowing continues Monday - Saturday. Average Snow Depth is 4 to 6 feet. Plowing operation will continue today.

I think the odds are that one of these years, it will happen (again) on my birthday and so May 12th at 10:30 am

Mark

No prize for you again this year I'm afraid, but have a great day anyway !

[Mark Sedenquist]

Bummer on the TP Prognosticator -- but hooray for that much snow up there!

Thanks for the birthday greeting as well!

Mark

[shirohniichan]

May 25 at 10:00 AM.

And a belated Happy Birthday to Mark.

[Eris]

Looking in for some guidance - my feelings tell me the opening will be around 26 May but hope it is earlier.

I shall be spending the night of 20 May in Mariposa hoping to take 120 Tioga Pass on Friday 21 May en route South Lake Tahoe. However, if still closed my choices are still good via routes 49, 4 or 88.

Once did travel Tioga Pass within 2 days of opening and seeing the snow spectacle was amazing.

[Southwest Dave]

Looking in for some guidance - my feelings tell me the opening will be around 26 May but hope it is earlier.

Hi Eris,

I can't offer any guidance but will certainly keep my fingers crossed, although it does look a long shot for the road to be open that soon with the current status.

[QUOTE][Once did travel Tioga Pass within 2 days of opening and seeing the snow spectacle was amazing/QUOTE]

I would love to be able to do that !