Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Tioga Pass is open and the drive is spectacular

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Highway 120 up and over Tioga Pass is currently open! It’s not too late for a visit to the Mono Basin from the west side, or for a trip to the high country before the big snow comes. This week’s forecast looks mostly clear and chilly—a great combination for getting out and about.

We always recommend checking road and weather conditions before you travel. For information on the Tioga Pass road, you can call: (800) GAS-ROAD or (209) 372-0200 or visit the regional road conditions page here. For weather conditions, check here.

The road is generally clear, though there are some icy spots, which are mostly well marked. There is snow on the north-facing slopes, and Tuolumne Meadows has a solid snow covering. Keep your eyes out for wildlife as well—driving the posted speed limit helps protect bears, coyotes and many other species that can still be on the move at this time of the year.

A coyote glides across the ice on Tioga Lake.

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