Weather
The 79th annual clearing of Sonora Pass, CA is underway.
Crews began work on the road on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019.
- You may also like: CalTrans Hopes To Have Ebbetts & Sonora Passes OPEN By The Friday Before Memorial Day Weekend
CalTrans hopes to have all winter passes open to the public no later than the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.
Press Release:
79th Annual Clearing Of The Sonora Pass Underway
Rain, Wind and Weather Greets Caltrans Crews As Annual Rite of Spring Begins
Caltrans crews started the seasonal clearing of the Sonora Pass today- here are some photos that just landed in our inbox.
Area Maintenance Superintendent Chris Baker managed to get up there just minutes before the rotary blower made its first pass. He indicates that it was a gloomy dark day up there and the rain was falling, but the crew is off and running.
Operations will be from 6 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. We ask, for the safety of the crew and the public, that no one enter behind the closure gate until the road is open to Eagle Meadows. We will make every effort to have this accomplished as soon as possible.
Caltrans manages three trans-Sierra passes in the Central Sierra that are closed during winter and generally open in spring: Ebbetts Pass/SR-4 in Alpine County, Sonora Pass/SR-108 (Tuolumne County) and Monitor Pass/SR-89 (Alpine County). Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park is managed by the Park Service over the summit.
Caltrans’ goal is to have all winter passes open to the public no later than the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Late season storms, snow accumulation and other factors can sometimes hinder this goal.
The foremost guiding principle in these procedures is to maintain public and worker safety.
