Since it’s such a severe drought, and there’s almost no snow in the Sierra Nevada, Tioga Pass should be open, right? Well, not quite….
But this is the time of year to start keeping an eye on the pass. Right now we know that Yosemite National Park will begin snow removal on the Tioga Pass Road on April 15. Even though this year there’s very little snow, crews also have to move downed trees, rocks, and other debris off the road to get it open.
At last Wednesday’s local government meeting here in Lee Vining we got the official word from the Yosemite National Park Superintendent via our Mono County Supervisor that Tioga Pass will open on Friday, May 1. This is the most current information we have, and you can compare this projected opening date to opening dates in past years here.
We’ll post all the information we have in our Tioga Pass Watch category here on the Mono-logue. We also post it all on Facebook and Twitter with #tiogapass.
It’s always a good idea to check the status of the road before you start your trip. You can call (209) 372-0200 (press 1 then 1), visit Yosemite’s current conditions web page, or keep up with Yosemite’s official Facebook page.
You can always give us a call here in Lee Vining—we’re right at the foot of Tioga Pass, and we pay attention to what’s going on with it: (760) 647-6595. Travel safely!
seems May 1 opening would be the earliest on record!
Much thanks to the Mono Lake folks, who appear to be the sole purveyors of the May 1 news scoop…
Actually the opening chart shows April 11, 1972 as the earliest opening date.
April 8 was earliest.
April 8, 1977 is correct. It has opened in April five times. Tuolumne Rangers leaving this Saturday, said they hope to come back next Fall.