High Sierra Topix

The seasons looms: plans are being made...alas, heavy snow lingers.
Due to my love of all things Yosemite, I eagerly await access to the higher climes, wondering when the snow plows will be able to do what they do...open up highway 120.

So I ask again, what is your best guess when Tioga Pass will be open this year?

My guess is Friday June 10...I hope.

Guesses?

According to http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The last time we were at 178 % it opened on June 30th, so with spring still not
arriving yet down here in the Bay Area, and more snow Sun-Mon in the Sierra
I think realistically may be looking at a late June or early July opening, but I hope we get
some warmer systems coming through that will translate to some rain up high, and some
much higher temps so it will open closer to June 1st!
My guess as of now is the 4th of July.

July 1. You heard it here first.

Mark

You are one overoptimistic dude!

Mike

Even when it opens on June 25th, you'll be able to drive through the park, get your permit, and then get to the trailhead of your choice, and stare in amazement at the wall of white in front of you.

This is always a fun page to look at for current conditions in TM: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmconditions.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And for updated plowing info, check out: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

obviously, they haven't started yet..

Since it's usually a Friday, I say June 17. But then I'm also optimistic for a warm May (mainly due to my own wish for spring to finally arrive in the Bay Area).

Unlike just a couple decades ago, today there are commercial pressures on Caltrans and the NPS to open up the pass despite needing to plow deep snows. Like tourist businesses in the Eastern Sierra. And the date they tend to target as please please please is the July 4th weekend. This year July 4 is on Monday with Friday on July 1. Opening on Friday however is prone to backfire if any problems arise because it may impact lots of plans of people who might be on the road expecting the pass to open. So I'd expect Thursday June 30.

Seems to me like we might end up tracking 2005-06 reasonably well:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/prod ... OT_SWC.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(lower April 1 peak but that was a very wet April, unlike this year)
So I'm betting on Friday June 24, with it possibly moved up to Friday June 17 (the date in 2006 after a warm May) if we have a consistent warm spell in the next month.

Guess since Mark posted this thread, he'll buy anyone a drink who is right.

Prizes galore for guessing right!
Sure, I will spring for a cocktail, if exact...provided -
Mike will schlep for the ice.
I understand Russ will even kick in a Abalone button.
Flip will volunteer to carry your pack on a llama,
maybe even an old photo or two (of his kids) from jthomascarter...
more possible prizes...
Right to name Eric's new girl,
Chance to accompany Hetchy on one of his shorter walks,
The mind boggles.