Legendary 9,943-foot Tioga Pass opens tomorrow, May 11th.  Tioga has been open to the pass from the East for a couple weeks.  This has been great for access to Tioga from Tahoe or Mammoth or Reno, but if you’re in Sacramento or the Bay, it’s still too far.
Recent ski reports from Tioga Pass: Â April 30th Tioga Report, Wet Avalanche Tioga Pass April 27th, Carson Pass + Virginia Lakes + Tioga Pass April 26th
Now, with the pass about to be fully open in both directions, people in the Bay have a chance to zip directly up to Tioga Pass with no huge detour through Reno.  This also gives them the chance to take Tioga Pass over to get to Mammoth taking about 3 hours off that drive.
SIERRA NEVADA, CA PASS OPENINGS:
Tioga pass is a legendary ski spot and a true must ski.  If you’ve got time, get up there because it’s not gonna last long…
TIOGA PASS OPENING DATES SINCE 1980:
| Tioga Road | Glacier Point | Mariposa Grove | Snowpack | ||||
| Year | Opened | Closed | Opened | Closed | Opened | Closed | as of Apr. 1 |
| 2013 | ?? | ?? | May 3 | ?? | (Didn’t close for the season) |
?? | 52% |
| 2012 | May 7 | Nov 8 | Apr 20 | Nov 8 | (Didn’t close for the season) |
(Didn’t close for the season) |
43% |
| 2011 | June 18 | Jan 17, 2012 | May 27 | Nov 19** | Apr 15 | (Didn’t close for the season) |
178% |
| 2010 | June 5 | Nov 19 | May 29 | Nov 7 | Mar 26/ May 21 |
Nov 20 | 107% |
| 2009 | May 19 | Nov 12 | May 5 | Nov 12 | 92% | ||
| 2008 | May 21 | Oct 30 | May 2 | Dec 12 | 99% | ||
| 2007 | May 11 | Dec 6 | May 4 | Dec 6 | 46% | ||
| 2006 | Jun 17 | Nov 27 | May 25 | Nov 27 | 129% | ||
| 2005 | Jun 24 | Nov 25 | May 25 | ? | 163% | ||
| 2004 | May 14 | Oct 17 | May 14 | ? | 83% | ||
| 2003 | May 31 | Oct 31 | May 31 | Oct 31 | 65% | ||
| 2002 | May 22 | Nov 5 | May 17 | Nov 5 | 95% | ||
| 2001 | May 12 | Nov 11 | May 15 | ? | 67% | ||
| 2000 | May 18 | Nov 9 | May 15 | Nov 9 | 97% | ||
| 1999 | May 28 | Nov 23* | May 28 | Nov 23 | 110% | ||
| 1998 | Jul 1 | Nov 12 | Jul 1 | Nov 6 | 156% | ||
| 1997 | Jun 13 | Nov 12 | May 22 | Nov 12 | 105% | ||
| 1996 | May 31 | Nov 5 | May 24 | Nov 5 | 111% | ||
| 1995 | Jun 30 | Dec 11 | Jul 1 | Dec 11 | 178% | ||
| 1994 | May 25 | Nov 10 | 51% | ||||
| 1993 | Jun 3 | Nov 24 | 159% | ||||
| 1992 | May 15 | Nov 10 | 58% | ||||
| 1991 | May 26 | Nov 14 | 79% | ||||
| 1990 | May 17 | Nov 19 | 45% | ||||
| 1989 | May 12 | Nov 24 | 83% | ||||
| 1988 | Apr 29 | Nov 14 | 31% | ||||
| 1987 | May 2 | Nov 13 | 51% | ||||
| 1986 | May 24 | Nov 29 | 137% | ||||
| 1985 | May 8 | Nov 12 | 97% | ||||
| 1984 | May 19 | Nov 8 | 85% | ||||
| 1983 | Jun 29 | Nov 11 | 224% | ||||
| 1982 | May 28 | Nov 15 | 131% | ||||
| 1981 | May 15 | Nov 12 | 77% | ||||
| 1980 | Jun 6 | Dec 2 | 144% | ||||
| Average (’80-’11) |
May 27 | Nov 5 | May 23 | Nov 17 | |||
| Median (’80-’11) |
May 24 | Nov 12 | May 24 | Nov 12 | |||
*Re-opened December 23, 1999 – January 1, 2000.
**Re-opened December 16, 2011 – January 17, 2012.
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Factors affecting plowing operations:
- Avalanche zones (26 potential areas). The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires a lot of work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel.
- Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.
- Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they’re cleared.
- Rock slides buried by the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.
- Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations and in order to plow and sand the park roads.
- Road repairs and ditching and brushing operations once snow has melted back enough.
Few trees on Tioga road, Rocks- yes
Thanks for this news. Headed up this week.