It was a cold and blustery Memorial Day at Tioga Pass, but that didn’t stop adventure- and photo-seekers from filling the Saddlebag Lake Road and Tioga overlook parking areas. About two inches of new snow sat on top of the older snowpack, with deeper drifts in places. Evidence of numerous recent wet avalanches was visible as cornices failed under the intense late-May sun. Gaylor Bowl was full of ski tracks, but in many other places the wind had already covered up the signs of backcountry travel. Past the park entrance gates the recent snow had not yet been plowed, meaning that bicycling conditions were less than optimal. A snowshoer had left firmly-packed tracks on the Mt. Dana Trail, creating excellent gliding conditions for cross country skiers through the trees and meadows at the park entrance.
