Tioga Pass Access via Lee Vining ???

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Messages 1 - 20 of total 20 in this topic
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 29, 2017 - 04:06pm PT

Trying to plan some spring ski touring options along the East Side, this question is likely too early to answer but having a rough date is better than nothing.

Anyone know when Cal Trans may open the lower gate with the road plowed to the summit? Years past I've been able to drive up close to the Park entrance for access, can't recall the date. It likely changes every year, this one in particular must be a considerable challenge. Not sure if the opening of fishing season on April 29th triggers progress? Information would be greatly appreciated.

Charlie D.
EdBannister

Mountain climber
13,000 feet
Mar 29, 2017 - 04:49pm PT
they might have a target date by now...
but i do remember the road opening all the way through to the valley in 1969... August 10, we drove through that day.
east side underground

climber
paul linaweaver hilton crk ca
Mar 29, 2017 - 04:53pm PT
fishing opener is usually a good bet but this year there could be some rocks on the road..... :)
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Mar 29, 2017 - 05:23pm PT
power sled!!!

Saw some pics of East Siders skinning up the lower drainage. Why wait?
10b4me

Mountain climber
Retired
Mar 29, 2017 - 05:54pm PT
The fishing opener has no impact on when the Pass opens.

The winter of 98/99 was not that big, but TP didn't open until the last week of June.

Edit: the Tuolumne Meadows cg is not opening until August.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
Mar 29, 2017 - 05:56pm PT
power sled!!!
Citation and summons to follow ...
Yinzer

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Mar 29, 2017 - 08:55pm PT
FYI you can still ski the Dana Plateau when the road is closed...

you take the power plant road, and skin up to the plateau from there. I've seen a bunch of sick shots from people who were hitting the plateau chutes with fresh pow like 5-6 weeks ago now.

It gets easier as the road opens further up, but you wont be skunked no matter when you go.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 30, 2017 - 05:35am PT
Just to clarify the question.........I'm interested in access when the pass is still closed but the lower canyon road is open. Years past the road gets plowed/cleared on up close to the summit but the highway beyond remains closed. Getting as far as Ellery Lake in a car is the goal.
10b4me

Mountain climber
Retired
Mar 30, 2017 - 07:43am PT
Just to clarify the question.........I'm interested in access when the pass is still closed but the lower canyon road is open. Years past the road gets plowed/cleared on up close to the summit but the highway beyond remains closed. Getting as far as Ellery Lake in a car is the goal.

Contacting Mono County would probably your best bet. I believe that they are responsible for plowing the road.
Stewart Johnson

Mountain climber
lake forest
Mar 30, 2017 - 08:31am PT
Skiing from the power plant is your best bet this year, right past the ice climbs to Ellery lake takes about 90 minutes.
G_Gnome

Trad climber
Cali
Mar 30, 2017 - 08:44am PT
Figure the lower road won't be open until at least Memorial Day.
James Wilcox

Trad climber
Goleta/Virginia Lakes
Mar 30, 2017 - 09:12am PT
A neighbor's A-Frame cabin at Virginia Lakes. We're at about 9,900 ft.
Eric Beck

Sport climber
Bishop, California
Mar 30, 2017 - 10:37am PT
I skied across the road once. Got a ride to the power plant and then hiked straight up to the road. This faces south and was completely melted, mostly talus. Walked on pavement to Ellery Lake and was on snow right to the top of the Tenaya zig zags, Snow Creek.

This was a particularly nice trip. It hadn't snowed in several weeks and lots of people had been up thee. Thee was a perfect track the entire way.
Grippa

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 30, 2017 - 02:11pm PT
Holy sh#t that's a lot of snow at Virginia Lake! We were there skiing last spring, and there was maybe a 4-5 ft base at the cabins.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 30, 2017 - 03:31pm PT
Just as an FYI, I did contact Mono County who referred me to Cal Trans in Bishop. They said the goal is to have the road plowed and cleared up to at least Ellery Lake by the opening day of trout season which is April 29th. I'm sure they get pressure from the chamber of commerce.

As everyone knows this is an epic year for the Sierra so that goal may be optimistic. They went on to say just how much rock debris is on the road at the big wide slide path.....the earth abides. Any insider information out there would be appreciated.

My goal is simply to avoid too much of a sufferfest with a long approach given car to car objectives we have above the pass, I'm an old man and try to avoid sleeping on the snow anymore.

Berg Heil,

Charlie D.
east side underground

climber
paul linaweaver hilton crk ca
Mar 30, 2017 - 05:42pm PT
yo biotch,,,,,,just so you know it is not illegal to "power sled" up the road
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Mar 30, 2017 - 06:00pm PT
I did the same thing Eric Beck did...Long time ago but it didn't seem like it took that long scrambling up the talus to Tioga Pass road.. bivy'd in tuolome and skied into the valley next day mid-afternoon...
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 30, 2017 - 08:03pm PT
Andy T......thanks for the thought, we might just check it out, never skied up out of Virginia Lakes despite all the reviews. Always good to cover new ground.
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Mar 30, 2017 - 10:34pm PT
Do they keep the Power Plant road open to the end all winter? and what is the route from TM to the valley.
JerryA

Mountain climber
Sacramento,CA
Mar 31, 2017 - 09:07am PT
I've bicycled from Lee Vining over Tioga Pass several times before the road was opened to cars .Once it was in mid-June & one lane was plowed through 2+feet of snow at the pass . Good luck !
Messages 1 - 20 of total 20 in this topic
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