Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Tioga Pass Road

The NPS is actively plowing the Tioga Pass Rd. and has only recently reached the area at White Wolf. That is a little over 13 miles of the 48 they need to plow. Current estimates are that the road will open between June 24th and July 15th. If the road opens after July 1st, that will be the latest opening in 25 years.

I thought it opened in July back in 1998.

It opened on July 1st in 1998, prior to that the latest opening was June 30th in 1985 and June 29th in 1983.

Crews have not reached the avalanche zones along Hwy 120 which could present significant problem areas for them. Avalanches have occurred on HWY 120 East of Tioga Pass gate with large boulders blocking portions of the road. I have been trying to get information on work efforts from Lee Vining to Tioga Pass Resort and haven't found any as yet.

Daily Official updates:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/tioga.htm#factors

I'd be very surprised if they make it by July 4.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/tm.htm

"Caltrans has been plowing Highway 120 east up Lee Vining Canyon and has reached Ellery Lake. If you are coming up the Canyon from Lee Vining expect to walk the first 5-plus miles and watch for Caltrans equipment."

Ken,

Thanks for that additional information.

Not sure if Caltrans and NPS having any working relationships where Caltrans would continue plowing from the east into the park. Seems like they could use some assistance this year.

Check out <A HREF=http://www.summitpost.org/show/mread.pl?f_id=22&t_id=16145>this thread on summitpost</A> especially page three where it is mentioned that Yosemite Nat'l Park has asked for help from Mono County.

What is the status of route 108 (Sonora Pass) to 395?

On the first page of the summitpost link above there is a mention of Sonora Pass(Highway 108). One of the Caltrans workers plowing that road said it is 95% certain it will be open memorial day. Here is a link to some pics from the area.
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/sp/sonora/index.html
Eric J Lee

I remember in 1998 around July 15th driving up to Tuolumne Meadows after looking at some properties down in the Swall Meadows area.

I remember seeing water along the roadside (driving down the hill into Tuolumne Meadows) in streambeds that I had never seen before. Water was everywhere!

I am hoping to get down there again this year just to see all the water. To me that is what really makes these mountains so cool - so arid nearby, yet so much water in the range. Very dramatic for me as I now live in the PNW.