Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 87 of total 87 in this topic |
DonC
climber
CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 18, 2009 - 10:22pm PT
|
walked up the road from the Lee Vining side for a few miles yesterday... USFS visitor center in Lee Vining said they just started plowing in Yosemite and they do about a mile a day... sure is dry on the east side
did a little fly fishing at the upper Owens today
|
|
Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2009 - 11:31pm PT
|
What's the earliest it's ever opened?
|
|
Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2009 - 11:32pm PT
|
nice shots! how is the fishing on the owens?
|
|
Mimi
climber
|
|
|
Apr 19, 2009 - 12:16am PT
|
Wow! That's dry! This may rank for a record early Tioga Pass opening.
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Apr 19, 2009 - 01:40am PT
|
It won't open until the fat ladies in Lee Vining sing to their congressman!
There's always a few budgetary, technical, and other factors that keep the road shut down longer than "seems" necessary.
Peace
Karl
|
|
DonC
climber
CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 19, 2009 - 12:42pm PT
|
Mike B - fishing was great, lots of dry fly action on both the Owens and Hot Creek...
|
|
Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
|
|
|
Apr 19, 2009 - 11:58pm PT
|
There's always a few budgetary, technical, and other factors that keep the road shut down longer than "seems" necessary.
The road crew is always going to play it conservative, Republican or Democrat. They tend to operate on signals from the back of the mind, wherein lies a well-founded fear of a late storm.
Their thinking is, "Why plow and clear the road early? And then get blasted by more snow?"
An East Coast, Harvard MBA guy, if in control, would want to save all the money, by not clearing the road at all.
And I thank God that none of those hard working, great road workers ever went to Harvard.
|
|
Owlman
Trad climber
|
|
|
Apr 20, 2009 - 12:00am PT
|
sweet view of 3rd Pillar, Dana.
Thanks!
|
|
Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
|
|
|
Apr 20, 2009 - 12:14am PT
|
DonC - I keep checking back to the shot up there of the Owens. Beautiful little stream. Looks like one of the places you need to crawl up to. What's hatching this time of year?
|
|
John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
|
|
|
Apr 20, 2009 - 12:24am PT
|
"DonC - I keep checking back to the shot up there of the Owens. Beautiful little stream"
Me too. What a beautiful beautiful spot.
|
|
Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
|
|
|
Apr 20, 2009 - 11:39am PT
|
What I would like to know, is when can you ride your bike from the gate to the meadow, when the road is clear but the gate is still closed???? I know friends who live up there and do this every year....what a blast to be able to do...!!!!!!!!!
|
|
rhyang
climber
SJC
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 03:33pm PT
|
Hmm.. web cam image seems to indicate that plowing through the pass has begun ..
|
|
Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 03:35pm PT
|
rhyang - Gotta link?
|
|
Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 03:50pm PT
|
Mel - 8th of April, 1977. Earliest it's ever opened. Doubtful that will happen again, regardless of road conditions.
The earliest it's opened recently is the 11th of May, 2007.
|
|
rhyang
climber
SJC
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 04:01pm PT
|
Yep, or see khanom's pic above ..
|
|
corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 04:24pm PT
|
Everyday the Tioga Road is open means
mucho dinero in entrance fees.
For us it means spring touring the Toulumne!
Has there been a cost benefit analysis for building
a snow fence at the Olmsted point avalanche slabs?
The thing could be made removable for aesthetics.
Would solve that little problem. (along Stately Pleasure dome also)
|
|
Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 04:58pm PT
|
Gawd, I miss the Easter Sierra. I've fished that spot many times and have caught quite a few lunkers there. My favorite Eastside fishing spot is still Green Creek out of Bridgeport. Upper Owens takes a close second, though.
|
|
Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 05:53pm PT
|
I prefer the Christmas Sierra, personally. Easter Sierra there are too many people around and I like snow.
|
|
Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 06:19pm PT
|
One little letter and boom. Don't you people have anything better to do? If this was the 4:20 thread you would probably understand a slight omission. :^)
|
|
Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 06:31pm PT
|
Sorry Timid, I forgot. The road to Green is terrible and your axles might vibrate off your vehicle. Gangs of horny Boy Scouts roam the countryside with bb guns and the sewage is awful. I'm just screwing up left and right on this thread.:*(
|
|
dmalloy
Trad climber
eastside
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 06:40pm PT
|
RE - What I would like to know, is when can you ride your bike from the gate to the meadow, when the road is clear but the gate is still closed????
I'm not sure if I have a definitive answer for you, but the essential answer is "the day before the road opens to auto traffic". This does not help if you are coming from far away and need to make plans ahead, but once they announce the opening day (which they usually do 3-4 days ahead), you just have to go up the day before that.
You should try to make it happen sometime....it is outrageously fun! And puts you in perfect position to get in on early hiking or climbing opportunities the next day.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 06:51pm PT
|
I think it closed late, that '76-77 season as well, Tim Washick and I went to hotcreek that year, in maybe Dec, there were nekkid people!
|
|
BCD
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
|
|
Apr 21, 2009 - 10:51pm PT
|
got some shots of the Tioga area on Sunday. Looks like the best coverage in the range!
White Mountain and the east ridge of Conness:
Conness and North Peak:
Dana and Ellery:
|
|
Inner City
Trad climber
East Bay
|
|
|
Apr 22, 2009 - 12:00am PT
|
BCD,
Those pics are great! Thanks for posting. Ho man....
|
|
rhyang
climber
SJC
|
|
|
Apr 22, 2009 - 12:19am PT
|
Awesome shots !!
|
|
Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
|
|
|
Apr 22, 2009 - 03:27pm PT
|
With the pass soon to be open.. Does anyone have any beta on Clarks Canyon?
Is it still under snow? Accessible? Or will it be a long walk to get back there?
Cheers
great photos too!
|
|
GDavis
Trad climber
|
|
|
Apr 27, 2009 - 08:15pm PT
|
10 points to the first guy to tell me where there was recent rockfall in that photo.
|
|
HighGravity
Trad climber
Southern California
|
|
|
Apr 27, 2009 - 11:48pm PT
|
Scott, nice TR! Kings Canyon is my favorite place, tons of FA's available. Nice work on the climb. Where in the Canyon does it start? Looks like near Roaring River falls?
|
|
Scott_Nelson
Trad climber
San Diego
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 01:15am PT
|
Hmmm I don't have a good picture of where the route is, but it's on right side of the canyon, directly across from the wall I have a lot of photos of. I think it's the next point the road crosses the river after Roaring River.
|
|
dmalloy
Trad climber
eastside
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 08:17pm PT
|
just heard the word that the road is open up to Tioga Lake from the East. Your easy spring skiing access starts....NOW.
|
|
Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 08:32pm PT
|
GDavis - Somewhere near the top of that white patch of rock and desbris near the left side of Half Dome?
What do I win?
Cheers
Chris Mac - Does that mean the pass is opening sooner.. rather than later?
|
|
GDavis
Trad climber
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 09:12pm PT
|
Jingy, you can have Chris Mac's shoelaces. But, you have to wrestle him for them.
|
|
Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 09:28pm PT
|
|
|
Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 03:17pm PT
|
How much do you think I can get for the laces on eBay.. If I mention they are Chris Macs Shoelaces?
Although, the first trick will be the wrestling part... I'll have to train for that... I'll get back on that!! LOL
Cheers
|
|
clustiere
Trad climber
berkeley ca
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 03:41pm PT
|
I saw a HUGE avalanche rip down clouds rest last Thursday, it was beautiful!
|
|
Radish
Trad climber
Seki, California
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 04:28pm PT
|
Nice Kings Canyon TR. Climbing is everywhere in the canyon. There is a small but active climbing scene there. Lots of the lines that look virgin are done either recently or in past times. A local climbing park employee,Phil Gross, is the go to guy for finding out if you did an FA or not. He is working on a guide to the Kings. Its a great place!
|
|
The Alpine
Big Wall climber
Tampa, FL
|
|
|
Apr 30, 2009 - 02:14am PT
|
Plow baby, plow!
|
|
mlintz
climber
|
|
Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Plowing Update
There is no estimated opening date for the Tioga Road, although it usually opens in late May or early June, conditions permitting.
Tioga Road Plowing Update for May 4:
Start: 31.9 miles from Crane Flat
End: 32.7 miles from Crane Flat (Spring Hill)
Distance plowed: 0.8 miles
Average snow depth: 3.5 feet
|
|
DrDeeg
Mountain climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
|
Response to Melissa, who asked, "What's the earliest it's ever opened?" [where the 'it' refers to the road]
In the two severe drought years, 1975-76 and 1976-77, I don't think the road closed.
[edited later]
I see Tom's post just below with the website of closing dates. However, I drove over from the west side and camped in Tuolumne (at the old Sierra Club campground) in the winter of '77. Perhaps the dates on the website were reconstructed from old notes.
There are times when the road closes intermittently for a few days (for example in late October of '07, I was planning to drive over to the Valley for Glen Denny's photo exhibit).
|
|
Double D
climber
|
|
Hah! I tried to ski it in the winter of 1975-76 and we had to activly look for sections of snow to ski. We basically bailed do to no snow, but the gates above Crane Flat were definately closed.
Interesting link Tom, thanks for posting it. Global warming??? Oh yeah there's a trend there somewhere, right?
|
|
tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
|
|
Looks like the road was open longer during the 70's and 80's.
While it could be a sign of the impending ice age, it could also have to do with the avalanche death of a plow operator and increased caution plowing Olmstead.
How can we tell?
|
|
bruce talbot
Trad climber
reno, nv
|
|
It may have closed later on that winter, but may wife and I went over Tioga Pass during New Years Eve for Y2K. Was clear all the way to the Valley with very little snow in the Meadows.
|
|
corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
|
|
check the T pass web cam, finally updated. This past storm has filled in the plowed
road...
Up in Washington 1975-76 we had to shovel the roofs off due to
the huge snow fall. I mean I couldn't see out the windows.
|
|
bachar
Gym climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
|
|
May 14, 2009 - 09:44pm PT
|
Really?
The Meadows are open?
|
|
ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
|
|
|
May 14, 2009 - 10:11pm PT
|
Hey Chris....from WHAT side bro!!!! It makes a BIG difference for those of us who come up the east side headin' fer the Meadows.
Peace
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
|
May 14, 2009 - 10:12pm PT
|
The road is clear all the way now .....
|
|
klk
Trad climber
cali
|
|
|
May 14, 2009 - 10:37pm PT
|
party--
the last time it opened this early, steelfingers was in shape. not to mention all that other stuff.
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
May 14, 2009 - 11:10pm PT
|
Sonora pass is open.
It is going to be really warm this weekend up there, after a week of summer like temps.
Posted opening is May 22.
Hum, maybe manana?
Wouldn't be surprised.
|
|
10b4me
Ice climber
Rustys Saloon
|
|
|
May 15, 2009 - 01:49am PT
|
word on the street is May 21st, but no later than the 23rd
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
May 15, 2009 - 01:55am PT
|
How sweet it is when the pass opens eh?
We get this ability to visit a whole new fresh world with it's special Alpine light and energy.
And visit the High Desert and east side too. Mmmm
Hope some friends get excited about climbing in the Meadows this year.
Peace
Karl
|
|
t-bone
climber
CA
|
|
|
May 16, 2009 - 08:15pm PT
|
anyone know if the road is open all the way to the pass from the E side?
is the NPS ok with bikes on the road now?
|
|
Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
|
|
|
May 16, 2009 - 08:47pm PT
|
Just got back from the Eastside awhile ago, went up to Tioga pass yesterday afternoon to see if we could poach a bike ride down to the meadows.
We did. However, I got paranoid and turned around a few miles before the meadows thinking the tools might be at their compound.
It was paradise up there, so peaceful, not another soul.... and the road totally clear, well as far as we went. I will post a pic as soon as my boyfriend sends them to me.
btw...we are heading back up there to do the ride legally next week, the sign on the gate said the road opens to hikers and cyclists this Sunday and next Friday to the dreaded cars!!!
Can't miss an experience like this, so its worth making the drive from So Cal...!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
May 16, 2009 - 09:39pm PT
|
I sure wish I was in shape (and had a sound bike) to ride all the way to Crane Flat and the Valley with Tioga Rd closed. That would be soooo fun!
Do it Karen!
I will do this, just not this year. My plan is to ride to the Valley the day or so before the road opens, and then get a ride back with one of my buds from there.
A new bike is in the budget for this summer.
I used to road bike a lot, and really wanted to ride to the Valley, and back. A few trips into Tuolumne with the road open, and I changed my mind.
Unless there is some administrative reason they can't open the road until Friday, I think it might go a day or two earlier.
The are a LOT of people around this weekend, the campgrounds in June Lake are briming, not full, but close.
And it is hot! About 80 in Lee Vining today.
Absolutely gorgeous!
|
|
corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
|
|
|
May 16, 2009 - 11:47pm PT
|
bolt the bike fenders on or not with all the snow melt water running across the road.. soaked crotch versus extra weight?
|
|
luggi
Trad climber
from the backseat of Jack & Elwood Blues car
|
|
|
May 16, 2009 - 11:48pm PT
|
climbed yesterday .....the green dressed fellows said the pass was to open this coming weekend? Sonora pass open already...Tioga seems to be for the memorial rush fest to Yosemite.
|
|
t-bone
climber
CA
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 12:15am PT
|
thanks for the scoop Karen.
so, it sounds like it's good to go for a bike ride tomorrow.
|
|
Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 03:11pm PT
|
As promised, these pictures were taken a couple of days ago-Friday-
Sign was a bit ambiguous...
another shot taken in the park...beautiful scenery..
still a lot of snow...
Never have I experienced such peace in this area, what a world it is without cars!!!!
|
|
Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
above the play park
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 03:16pm PT
|
I think not wanting bikers up there has something to do with wet-slide potential above Olmsted Pt.
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 06:14pm PT
|
Plenty of people biking and skiing up there today.
Estimate we saw over 50 cars parked between Ellery and the Park entrance.
It was 75f when I left at 2pm. 24f this morning at 6am. By 9 it was 55f. That's a big jump in 3 hours, and it did not freeze all the way through the pack. Lots of wet slide activity, most of it small.
I did a ski tour into Tuolumne in April and it was incredible being there with no people.
Glad you got to go Karen.
|
|
rockermike
Mountain climber
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 06:33pm PT
|
I rode from Crane flats up to Olmstead a couple of years ago, just two days before official opening. Definitely one of the nicest rides of my life. Quiet, beautiful. Deer strolling along the road. I was in bliss; until the tools stopped me. It wasn't that I wasn't allowed to be there. Riding was OK during the day, but they made me empty my carry bags to "prove" I wasn't planning on camping illegally. (I wasn't, and had nothing but sweater and wind parka, which I needed later as temps dropped). What f*#king pricks. I've hatted those bastards ever since - and this from a guy that used to be pretty neutral on cop / climber issues. Completely killed my buzz. I now know what living in a fascist country is like.
did I read the post above correctly? Road open to bikes this week, then cars start next Friday?
|
|
Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 07:04pm PT
|
Yeah Rocker Mike, that sure was a buzz kill alright!!!
I was worried about the tools and what they could do to us trespassing cyclists. This woman who drore up as we were getting into our bike gear stated she saw a ranger with a gun a few days back. Our conversation then digressed into paranoia, this woman felt they could do a number of things to us: confiscate our bikes, heavy fine us both, arrest, ect., we decided to risk it anyway, but like my earlier post stated we did not ride many miles into the park.
The few pics we took are awesome!!! posted back a few
edit to add: down 395 on the Sherwin grade we got pulled over for speeding. The CHP was cool though, we only wrote us up for some fix it stuff and gave us a warning about speeding. He did state to tell others heading up to the Eastside to be aware of the road work north of Bishop and on the Sherwin grade (right now the north bound traffic is being funneled over onto the south bound side-so only two lanes), and to obey the posted speed limits.
I asked him why they were ripping up the north bound lanes, they've never appeared to be in bad condition. He explained the sides of the road fall off steeply and when people drive off the road they go air born and roll, so the repairs will result in leveling the sides of the road.
so there you have it....
|
|
hagerty
Social climber
A Sandy Area South of a Salty Lake
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 07:18pm PT
|
Rhodo-Router wrote:
>I think not wanting bikers up there has something to do with wet-slide potential above Olmsted Pt.
<
There are also multiple slide paths that cross the road a little west of Tioga Pass.
|
|
F10
Trad climber
e350
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 08:13pm PT
|
Karen, thanks for the photos, need to get up there!!!
|
|
NotIt
Trad climber
Malaga Cove
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 09:56pm PT
|
I'm missing something.
How can NFS ticket for illegal overnight camping (cyclists) in TM if the entire area is open to ski use all winter?
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 10:08pm PT
|
Once Tioga Rd closes in the fall, all of Tuolumne becomes wilderness. Then on April 15, it reverts back.
The winter LEO's up there can't use their snowmobiles until April 15.
In the fall, after the store and campgrounds close and sometime before the pass closes, they post big signs, no camping, and sometimes, no stopping!
So once it is no longer wilderness, you have to camp in a campground there, and if they are closed, well there is no camping.
I wonder if you were to bike in and then ski/hike a ways up say, Lyell Fork, into the permanent wilderness area with a wilderness permit, if that would be legal right now?
So complicated, these rules.
|
|
alive.in.dreams
Trad climber
Fish Camp, CA
|
|
|
May 17, 2009 - 10:50pm PT
|
Went on a bike ride from the Yosemite Creek Trailhead (farthest out you can drive as of today) to Olmstead Point and it was glorious! Also met alot of bikers who had from from the Eastside and they said it was totally clear.
Word on the street is there will be a Thursday/Friday opening to all traffic.
Hot Springs... here I come!
|
|
Bargainhunter
Mountain climber
Central California
|
|
|
May 18, 2009 - 12:36am PT
|
Mmmmm...look at all that delicious water in the photos...heading straight for LA!
|
|
NotIt
Trad climber
Malaga Cove
|
|
|
May 18, 2009 - 09:29am PT
|
Thanks for the clarification. It was obvious that at some point the meadows reverted to traditional NPS camping rules, but I figured that it would coincide with the opening of the gate - I didn't know that 4/15 was the magic date.
|
|
corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
|
|
|
May 18, 2009 - 07:31pm PT
|
some rules are for the good: no snowmobiles screaming over the Echo Peaks and on to Clouds Rest... that image would be too much.
Think Norway invented that ski with a rife thing:
"The world's first known ski club, the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club, was formed in Norway in 1861 to promote national defense at the local level."
Those dudes would have known what to do to a snowmobile sneaking in from Sweden without a permit. Bullet through the engine and
'have a nice walk back home Erik! But wait! Here's a rope because
you have to drag your snowmobile out of here..."
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
May 18, 2009 - 07:44pm PT
|
"Make-up yur confused minds. Keep folks out with any mechanized contraptions during the Winter or let em ALL in!"
Geesh, who's confused? I, or khanom, never said, or meant, anything like that.
(Where do you get this stuff anyway, did you flunk reading comprehension?)
ALL I said is the rules are confusing. And they obviously are.
That is not a complaint or a wish they would change.
Stop reading things into posts that are not there!
|
|
Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
|
|
|
May 18, 2009 - 08:27pm PT
|
Please someone let me know if they decide to open to cars this Thursday instead of Friday, since we are making the trek back up there to just cycle in from 395 (Tioga Pass) to Tenaya Lake and back, would hate to have to put up with cars, give us cyclists this one luxury, please!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, also hoping to climb at Clark, only problem is I have to lead and that is grim, lol, with my buddy Woody gone I now have to resort back to leading!!! and boy have I lost my lead head.
|
|
lykan
Social climber
Stanton, california
|
|
|
May 19, 2009 - 09:31pm PT
|
Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Plowing Update
The Tioga Road will open on May 20, 2009, at 10 am, conditions permitting.
NPS website updated. woooo hooo !!!
going up there the first week of june, trying to avoid the memorial days weekend horror ... lol ..
http://www.yosemitehikes.com
|
|
clustiere
Trad climber
berkeley ca
|
|
|
May 20, 2009 - 05:42pm PT
|
cool post pics !!!
|
|
splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
|
|
|
Jun 11, 2009 - 07:54pm PT
|
where have you been Mike? :)
Question: Is there still snow coverage up Lyell Canyon from TM or is it patchy or melted out? Hoping for consistent coverage.
Thanks.
|
|
splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
|
|
|
Jun 16, 2009 - 02:20pm PT
|
anyone notice if the Saddlebag Lake road is open yet?
Is there any climbing out there? ;)
|
|
Dapper Dan
climber
Menlo Park
|
|
|
Jun 20, 2009 - 07:43pm PT
|
The Saddlebag gate was open this afternoon, 6/20 .
|
|
| Messages 1 - 87 of total 87 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!