If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
LindonB wrote: ↑Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:17 pm
Were you at TM Grill recently? Was it open and under repair, or not open and under repair?
It was my first time traveling Tioga Pass this morning. After taking a couple of day hikes with the family, I remembered this post when I had inadvertently parked at what I believed to be the lot for Tuolumne Meadows Grill. There was a team of about 5 contractors working on it when I passed
LindonB wrote: ↑Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:17 pm
Were you at TM Grill recently? Was it open and under repair, or not open and under repair?
It was my first time traveling Tioga Pass this morning. After taking a couple of day hikes with the family, I remembered this post when I had inadvertently parked at what I believed to be the lot for Tuolumne Meadows Grill. There was a team of about 5 contractors working on it when I passed
7/27/2024:
20240727_105139.jpg
you and I must have passed around the same time. We saw it at 1pm with the 5 or so contractors as well!
End of July I was able to have a quiet chat with a long-term Yosemite hospitality worker. He stated that when Aramark won the contract they were initially unaware that High Sierra Camps and operations in Tuolumne were part of the deal. Aramark had no idea that they needed staff, pack mules, or wranglers. Aramark has subsequently set a policy that only persons with prior experience opening a High Sierra Camp can be hired to open a High Sierra Camp. No wonder they struggle to get the camps and operations in Tuolumne open! The TM store and grill appeared like work had been started but there was still much to be done. My chatty worker did not expect the store or grill to be completed in time to open this season. Further, he stated that the prior concessionaire (DNC) found that everything in Tuolumne and the High Country operated, best case, about break even. Aramark is not interested in operating anything that approximately breaks even, so don't expect them to rush getting things operational.
Was at Tuolumne Meadows yesterday (Aug 6) and chatted with the postmaster, who is operating the post office from a tent and a storage container. He has been watching the construction on the store and grill. Structural work is basically done and utilities are done, or mostly so. He has been told that the target date to reopen the store and post office (back in the building) is August 12 and he thinks there is a good chance they will make that date. He does not think the grill will reopen this year.
Exciting news—another update!The TM Market is open! I visited last week of August and was pleasantly surprised to see it in action. The crew was busy stocking food and supplies, and the through-hikers were thrilled, charging up their gear and enjoying some much-needed food.
The grill, however, remains closed, but the crew mentioned it should be back up and running next year!
