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Erik Sloan
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 10, 2015 - 06:37am PT
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Rumor has it the road could be plowed in one day, there is so little snow.
In the old days the Park Service kept the road closed even on low snow years, because they didn't feel like they had the resources(cops) to monitor it. With the internet age this changed, because people started posting photos of themselves biking on the road, and other more proactive folks wrote, called, and pestered the PS until the road was opened.
This year, with so little snow, it only seems fair that our friends from the Eastside come over and enjoy the waterfalls in the Valley while they last. April is now in the Valley.
Let the Pass Open! Woot!
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Menlo Park
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Mar 10, 2015 - 08:18am PT
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oh man that would be awesome , hope it gets opened ...
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Mar 10, 2015 - 11:06am PT
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All of the snow free roads need to be opened up...
The Needles would be Prime right now....
so would the Domelands....
so would Shuteye...
freedom in our hills.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Mar 10, 2015 - 12:19pm PT
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That would be amazing
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Texplorer
Trad climber
Sacramento
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Mar 10, 2015 - 01:06pm PT
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Doesn't it have to stay closed for a certain period of time regardless of conditions. I thought there was something about it being a wilderness area that designated it as such.
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Erik Sloan
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2015 - 01:51pm PT
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Yes there is a law about the wilderness up there that prevents the Tuolomne Store, Campgrounds, etc from opening until Memorial Day each year, or right before, I think.
But the road has been open all months of the year before, and if it's dry it would be awesome to have it open.
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Mar 10, 2015 - 01:51pm PT
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Don't speak too soon: I've seen March, April and May turn into a royal deluge/Great Flood where it rained and/or snowed above 7000ft for six weeks straight.
Never say Never.
Still hoping for more rain. I don't want to start watering my Japanese Maple yet this year. Costs too much.
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skitch
climber
East of Heaven
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Mar 10, 2015 - 02:03pm PT
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I've always been told that no matter what they won't start plowing till April 15th because of the possibility for spring snow storms. I would be very surprised if, even with such a limited amount of snow, that the road could be cleared in a day.
There is more to clearing the road than snow, trees and rocks get moved around when there is even a small amount of snow.
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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Mar 10, 2015 - 03:19pm PT
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There is more to clearing the road than snow, trees and rocks...
No kidden'
Here's the real deal:
The City and County of San Francisco pays the Park $X to keep Tioga closed for a certain period of time to protect the Hetch-Hetchy watershed.
Fun Fact!
IDK how much $ exchanges hands. But if power follows money, the reverse holds true here, too.
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Climbnrok
Trad climber
LA
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Mar 15, 2015 - 09:10pm PT
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Snow update:
As of today (3-15-15), there is no snow at all on the lower sections, and no serious snow on the road until Ellery Lake. After walking our bikes through some small patches around the lake, we finally got shut down by continuous snow covering the road right at the west end of the lake. At that point it covered the road as far as we could see so we bailed. In the lower sections there were some boulders, but only a couple fridge size ones.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Mar 15, 2015 - 10:04pm PT
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The Tioga Road was not built to withstand heavy traffic, snowplowing, or heavy loads; it's a relic of yesteryear. Besides, the budget, as-is, doesn't allow for staffing, sewer, water, EMS, or whatnot to open. Don't complain to NPS, complain to Congress for pitiful funding levels.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Mar 16, 2015 - 06:12am PT
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word...
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skitch
climber
East of Heaven
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Mar 16, 2015 - 07:18am PT
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Woo-HOO!!!!
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Menlo Park
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Mar 16, 2015 - 07:23am PT
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links not working , but awesome news if that's the case....
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 16, 2015 - 08:36am PT
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You'll just have to wait and see by then.
Anything can happen between now and then.
But that is their projected time frame to getting it open and operating.
Don't entirely bank on it.
Also there is supposed to be major road resurfacing construction on Tioga all this summer which can add delays and one way detoured traffic controlled sections.
It's going to be a mess probably?
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Onewhowalksonrocks
Mountain climber
Ventura
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Mar 16, 2015 - 10:49am PT
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I can understand why they would wait to plow the road. It very well may snow again to great amount that they would have to replow it.
Did it just snow up there not two weeks ago? I can also understand the want not need for traffic to flow over the Sierra's.
The cost would high if they opened to road now. Then get a good two feet let's say stranding people and cars. The cost of rescue and the cost of replowing it, just doesn't make sense. You plow it and if a storm is coming just close the road. More unneeded cost.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Mar 16, 2015 - 08:47pm PT
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Can't believe we're having another year of road work. Really?!
The last 3-4 years have produced major construction and repair projects on 120. Tioga Pass Campgrounds, Resort, Tuolumne guests as well as thru tourists to the Valley have been been very much affected by it. The major work is done during the high season of July and August causing a negative economic effect on all the above and inconvenience to the people that travel to the Sierra to enjoy perhaps a one time wonderful life experience. Remember the season for the Tuolumne and Tioga Pass area is 4 months at best.
Last year not only did we deal with major under grounding of lines on 120 but the powers that be decided to drain 20'of water from Tioga Lake with little warning. Glad my baby wasn't playing in the downstream when they decided to open the gate.
Communication to the general public and the area's employees about what exactly is happening should be a priority during all the summer road and utilities work but at best it is poor. Hope this year will be better.
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skitch
climber
East of Heaven
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Mar 17, 2015 - 06:46am PT
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Why couldn't they just make a road that'll last forever with no maintenance required???
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