Hi all,

My cousin is planning a camping trip to Yosemite at the beginning of June. They have reservations. Do you think the road through Tioga Pass will be open? I know the SIerras have received a tremendous amount of snow this year.

Thanks,
Bonnie

My guess is no. There were storms this weekend that put down some more new snow. You can check the progress of the plowing at the Yosemite National Park website: www.nps.gov look for Yosemite, and go to road conditions. They should give you the updates on how far the plowing has come and when they get closer, an estimated opening date.

There is no estimated opening date for 2005 Plowing Update:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/tioga.htm

As of now, Ebbett's Pass (Hwy 4) and Sonora Pass (Hwy 108) are both still closed for winter. Carson Pass (Hwy 88) and Hwy 50 and I-80 are open.

Utahtea

Just yesterday they posted the following at the National Park Service website:

"The Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) and the Glacier Point Road are closed due to snow. They usually reopen in late May or early June, however, heavy winter snowpack and a cool, wet spring probably will result in a later opening than usual."

So, unforunately, it is very likely Tioga Road will be closed the beginning of June. In fact, they have only plowed about 14 miles from Crane Flat. At that pace, it may be July before the road is open. The Mariposa Grove Road only opened a few days ago as well. Not sure if the tram tour of the grove is up and running yet.

We will be in the park the first week of June also and were hoping Tioga would be open. Since it won't be, I'm wondering about cutting our planned three full days to two full days.

mileking,

We just spent full 3 days and 4 nights in Yosemite valley and I wish we still had more time and to top it off we've been to Yosemite over 2 dozen times! Unless you have a really good use for that extra day, I wouldn't cut Yosemite short one day.

Utahtea

I wouldn't cut the 3rd day from Yosemite either. There is plenty to see in the valley to take up 3 full days. Last year when we went, we were there 3 days and that was a nice amount of time, although I would have liked to have another couple days because the place is just so beautiful and I was really getting into the swing of things. The year before, we were only there for 2 full days and it just was not enough.

We're in the same boat, with a visit June 5, 6 and 7. Picking the dates for our once-in-a-lifetime trip more than a year ago, I researched the Tioga Pass opening dates and based on history, figured it'd be open. And I was reeeeally looking forward to Glacier Point. I've been following the plowing updates and have been a little bummed out, then decided to enjoy what I CAN do instead of what I cannot. I know Yosemite will still be wonderful. I hope your cousin enjoys it as well.

We did the same thing last year--watching the plowing reports for about a month before we went. The roads were opened the day before we arrived (we were lucky, I know, it was the middle of May). One place we went that is never mentioned was Hetch Hetchy--that road was opened a little before the others. There is a really nice hike to 2 waterfalls there that we really enjoyed. In fact, we did that and then drove Tioga Pass in the same day. It was neat to see, but nothing was opened yet. I agree that 3 nights is not too much and the waterfalls should be absolutely beautiful. We figured it would be our only trip there, but haven't totally ruled out going back after seeing it.

Utahtea, what was the weather like when you were there? We're visiting my dad, who lives about an hour from Yosemite, next week. I'm thinking we should pack some warm clothes...

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle,

We were in Yosemite from April 9th to April 13 and it had snowed the night before we arrived. This is not unusual for April or even May. The next three days were sunny and nice. I wore mostly light weight sweaters and had to put my coat on in the evening. It gets COLD at night! We have been to Yosemite in April and I've worn shorts...in fact the week before we got there it was in the mid 70's in Yosemite Valley.

Next week looks like you could have a wide range from 73 to 58 degrees during the day. I'd take clothes you could layer.

Utahtea

I'll make sure everyone packs layers. Thanks, Utahtea!

Lee Ann