High Sierra Topix

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.p ... rE6Qujwa70

Looks like a cold storm right about now--night time temperature around zero tonight and tomorrow, and then more stormy weather beginning this weekend. I wonder if we cold-loving folks can still drive up 120. Does anyone know if Hwy 120 is closed?........ I checked the Caltrans road conditions site and got this:

SR 120
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 3 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/ (TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - DUE TO AN INCOMING STORM - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

I wonder if that will be it for the season? Time to tune up your skis.

Tuolumne Pass.

I'd bet $500 that it's closed for the season. And with the storms coming this weekend, I bet all the passes are done.

I would not give up on Tioga Pass just yet. Historic records last 21 years, avg closing Nov 14. The only years it closed before Nov 4 were 2008m 2004 and 2003. You may be able to squeeze in one more week or two. Although cold, the forecasted snow is not supposed to be excessively deep. And if it warms up after the current little storms, it could melt and they may reopen it. I remember once it was closed for some time and then they opened it in December. We were in J-Tree climbing and hit the open window. It was a real treat to drive it in the winter.

Well C9, it is good I did not actually take your bet! It looks like the storms starting tomorrow will probably shut down Tioga, if not Sonora Pass too. I just hope the early snow this year is not followed by a dry spell like it was last year.