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.

Lower gate on Highway 120 opens; Tioga Pass remains closed

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.
Near Tioga Pass, the snow is over six feet deep from the plowing operations. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Near Tioga Pass, the snow is over six feet deep along the road. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

This morning, Caltrans opened the lower gate on Highway 120 up to Tioga Pass. Highway 120 is still closed, however, beyond Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park.

I excitedly made the trip up the road during my lunch break today for the first time since November and found considerable snow still on the ground above 9,000 feet in elevation. Ellery Lake is beginning to melt and reflect the beautiful snowy peaks above, but Tioga Lake still seems frozen. Skiers, cyclists, and sightseers alike appeared thrilled to return to the high country and enjoy the closer to average snowpack this winter brought. No word yet on when the entire road through Yosemite will open.

Dana Meadows is completely blanketed with snow, as is Mammoth Peak (far right) and the Kuna Crest. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Dana Meadows is completely blanketed with snow, as is Mammoth Peak (far right) and the Kuna Crest. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Tioga Lake remains completely frozen and picturesque beneath the Dana Plateau. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Tioga Lake remains completely frozen and picturesque beneath the Dana Plateau. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

One comment