High Sierra Topix

I'm going to be an optimist! I believe in a fast May melt and a fabulous 2011 season. Thursday June 16th is my bet.

Right to name Eric's new girl

LOL - If that's the case I'm going with July 1

I've got a trip down Yos. Creek planned on June 10th so that's what I'm hoping for. I also have a house up at Serene Lakes at Donner Summit where there are propane tank leaks (and one house exploded) due to the heavy snow pack:

It was a big deal just to get to the front door.

Devils Postpile say they are targeting an opening date of June 24 and will only start plowing after Tioga and Sonora Passes have been cleared:
http://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/hours.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So it would be logical to hope for a Tioga opening date in mid-June unless Devils Postpile are being way too optimistic (or there is some other holdup like avalanche danger).
They also have some cool photos of how much snow there is on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/devilspostpile" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BTW Does anyone know when Cedar Grove will be open (road and/or campground)?

You just have to get there more often to keep up with the snow. I work out of town all week, so Friday night, I have to tromp thru the snow, get the woodstove going, change clothes, tromp out to the garage, fire up the snow thrower, clear off the garage approach, unstick the truck so I can park in the garage, clear a path out to the pumphouse and to the deck so I can get inside. Finish in the AM. Takes over an hour for a 18"-24" snow dump. Fix dinner, eat.

um.. they're running cats over tioga to shave off the top so the plows will work. Do you actually read any of the tioga pages?

Last Update: April 29, 2011

Tioga Road: Snow removal operations are nearing the first avalanche zones at South Fork. Avalanche rescue training was performed near Gin Flat. Avalanche crews spent the week blasting and spreading charcoal at Olmsted Point to help reduce the snow above the road. Caltrans is working 120 west from Lee Vining to the park entrance at Tioga Pass.

Glacier Point Road: Deep snow, 8-12 feet, still describes the work week. Two dozers worked all week pushing multiple lifts of snow off to the sides of the road so the rotaries can then blow the rest up and out of the roadway. The dozers are east of Bridalveil Creek Campground with the rotaries not far behind.
Mariposa Grove: Open to the grove parking lot. The great weather has dried the loop road shoulders and base to the extent that current restrictions on large vehicles and the tram operations will most likely be dropped next week.

Once plowing of the Tioga Road is completed, additional work must be completed before the road can safely be opened.

Same URL as mentioned above.

East side of Tioga on 4-28:

So, that first pic was of CalTrans trying to clear to the gate on the East? very cool.

Where was that second pic?

Russ

Rlown wrote "Where was that second pic?". Maybe Tioga Pass Resort.