Where is the plow?
A lot of you have been asking “When is Tioga Pass going to open?” As of right now it’s anyones guess. Warm weather will make some parts easier but others, like the avalanche zones by Olmsted Point (there are 26 of them along the road) could become much, much more dangerous. The photo above shows the plow close to Raisin Creek.
So why does it take so long to plow the road?
Here’s a list of factors that influence how long it’ll take the road to open.
- Avalanche zones (26 potential areas). The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires a lot of work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel.
- Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.
- Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they’re cleared.
- Rock slides buried by the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.
- Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations and in order to plow and sand the park roads.
- Road repairs and ditching and brushing operations once snow has melted back enough.
For more information you can visit the National Park Service website or just keep checking back here. We’ll let you know as soon as we get more information.
Photo courtesy National Park Service.
For over 30 years now I've enjoyed hiking, backpacking, fishing, photographing and exploring Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. 
April 23rd, 2008 12:49
Ok, here’s the first update (found on the NPS-website):
Tioga Road plowing began at Crane Flat on April 21.
Tioga Road progress for April 22, 2008
Starting Location: South Fork Bridge
Ending Location: 12.4 miles from Crane Flat gate
Distance plowed today:5.2 miles
Average Snow depth: 5 ft.
Glacier Point Road:
Initial plowing to Glacier Point is complete, but additional plowing (widening), road work, and hazard tree work must be completed before the road can be safely opened to the public.
There is no estimated opening date for the Tioga Road or Glacier Point Road.
April 28th, 2008 12:19
Apparently plowing has reached the Olmsted Point Parking lot. Average Snow depth: 6 ft.