Tioga Pass update: plowing photos

May 9th, 2011 by Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information & Restoration Specialist Name: Greg Reis
Title: Information & Restoration Specialist
About: Since his Committee internship in 1995, Greg has been involved with Mono Basin stream restoration and with maintaining the Committee's computers, Websites, and Research Library, and researching and compiling information for our programs. His B.S. degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Forestry and Natural Resources with a concentration in Environmental Management and a Senior Project in Hydrology reflects his interest in natural resources management, administration, planning, environmental analysis, and restoration. He is a member of the California Association of Environmental Professionals and the California Society for Ecological Restoration.See All Posts by Greg (134)
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As of Saturday, May 7, Caltrans had plowed as far as Tioga Lake, a little over a mile from the Yosemite National Park entrance at Tioga Pass. Highway 120 remained closed at the winter closure gate four miles from Highway 395. Even the cleared portion of the roadway still had areas that were narrow and need additional snow clearing. From the west, you can track the National Park crew’s progress here.

On Saturday May 7th, a small crew was working on widening the cleared area just above the green bridge. Note the waterfall on the left indicating that Ellery Lake is spilling.

The Saddlebag Lake Road intersection on May 7.

Tioga Pass Resort is under there somewhere!

Tioga Road just past Tioga Pass Resort.

The end of the plowed road at the Tioga Lake Reservoir dam.

Yes, the road really is closed and covered in snow---and right after these photos were taken, even more snow fell all the way down to Lee Vining! Photos by Greg Reis.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 2:09 pm and is filed under News, Photos, Recent Photos, Seasonal Update. You can view 6 Responses on this post or leave your own response if you log in.

6 Responses to “Tioga Pass update: plowing photos”

1. Tony Says:
   May 10th, 2011 at 11:56 am

   Last year, a few of us rode the Pass in mid-May. Any idea when Cal Trans will allow bikes thru the bottom gate this year?

   Thanks

2. Elin, Communications Coordinator Says:
   May 10th, 2011 at 12:42 pm

   Hi Tony,

   Bikers have been riding up the pass already—I believe that’s how Greg got all those photos! You just have to carry your bike around the lower gate. Be sure to watch out for rock falls and sliding snow. Please give the heavy machinery and Caltrans trucks a wide berth to allow them to do their job getting the pass open! And have fun!

   Elin

3. Tony Says:
   May 10th, 2011 at 2:42 pm

   Love to hear the good news….

   Thanks Elin!

4. jeremy Says:
   May 14th, 2011 at 10:22 am

   If we want to drive to Mono Lake and Bodie from San Francisco over Memorial Day weekend, is it possible? Are the roads open? What is the best route?

   Thanks

5. Elin, Communications Coordinator Says:
   May 15th, 2011 at 9:35 am

   Hi Jeremy,

   It is unlikely that Tioga Pass will be open for Memorial Day weekend. You will definitely be able to cross the mountains using Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe. You may be able to use Highways 88 and 89 to get across, but they close quickly if we get any snow at this time of year. It’s unlikely that Highway 4 or Highway 108 will be open by the end of May either.

   If you visit the Caltrans road conditions website (www.dot.ca.gov) you can type in the numbers of other highways to see if they are open. Definitely do this before you start driving! Good luck.

   Elin

6. bob gregg Says:
   May 17th, 2011 at 8:46 pm

   Greg; great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Sure going to help Mono Lake