Caltrans reported on Monday 23rd April that by around noon the snow removal crew working on Highway 108 had cleared it to the Kennedy Meadows closure gate and swung open the Eagle Meadows gate.
Officials say it appears that the 9,624-foot Sonora Pass summit will likely be ready to open by the traditional target date of Memorial Day Weekend, just in time for fishing season.
In these pictures, Caltrans contrasts what a difference one year makes; a side-by-side set of shots from the same period last year and this year of a snow stake show that while it is clearly visible now, last year it was completely buried.
Last year Sonora Pass didn’t open until well into June, due mainly to the epic 2017 Sierra winter storm season. Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass, where clearing has also begun, remained closed until just before the July 4th holiday. Current plans are to have currently closed Ebbetts Pass also open by the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
