Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Tioga Pass update: plowing photos

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

As of Saturday, May 7, Caltrans had plowed as far as Tioga Lake, a little over a mile from the Yosemite National Park entrance at Tioga Pass. Highway 120 remained closed at the winter closure gate four miles from Highway 395. Even the cleared portion of the roadway still had areas that were narrow and need additional snow clearing. From the west, you can track the National Park crew’s progress here.

On Saturday May 7th, a small crew was working on widening the cleared area just above the green bridge. Note the waterfall on the left indicating that Ellery Lake is spilling. Photo by Greg Reis.
On Saturday May 7th, a small crew was working on widening the cleared area just above the green bridge. Note the waterfall on the left indicating that Ellery Lake is spilling.

The Saddlebag Lake Road intersection on May 7th. Photo by Greg Reis.
The Saddlebag Lake Road intersection on May 7.
Tioga Pass Resort is under there somewhere! May 7, 2011 photo by Greg Reis.
Tioga Pass Resort is under there somewhere!
Tioga Road just past Tioga Pass Resort. May 7, 2011 photo by Greg Reis.
Tioga Road just past Tioga Pass Resort.
The end of the plowed road at the Tioga Lake Reservoir Dam. May 7, 2011 photo by Greg Reis.
The end of the plowed road at the Tioga Lake Reservoir dam.
Yes, the road really is closed and covered in snow. May 7, 2011 photo at Tioga Lake by Greg Reis.
Yes, the road really is closed and covered in snow---and right after these photos were taken, even more snow fell all the way down to Lee Vining! Photos by Greg Reis.

6 Comments

  1. Last year, a few of us rode the Pass in mid-May. Any idea when Cal Trans will allow bikes thru the bottom gate this year?

    Thanks

  2. Hi Tony,

    Bikers have been riding up the pass already—I believe that’s how Greg got all those photos! You just have to carry your bike around the lower gate. Be sure to watch out for rock falls and sliding snow. Please give the heavy machinery and Caltrans trucks a wide berth to allow them to do their job getting the pass open! And have fun!

    Elin

  4. If we want to drive to Mono Lake and Bodie from San Francisco over Memorial Day weekend, is it possible? Are the roads open? What is the best route?

    Thanks

  5. Hi Jeremy,

    It is unlikely that Tioga Pass will be open for Memorial Day weekend. You will definitely be able to cross the mountains using Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe. You may be able to use Highways 88 and 89 to get across, but they close quickly if we get any snow at this time of year. It’s unlikely that Highway 4 or Highway 108 will be open by the end of May either.

    If you visit the Caltrans road conditions website (www.dot.ca.gov) you can type in the numbers of other highways to see if they are open. Definitely do this before you start driving! Good luck.

    Elin