VIDEO: CalTrans Clearing Rockfall Debris on Tioga Pass, CA After Major Storm

Dylan Cautela |

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California Transportation District 9, based out of Bishop California, is keeping SR 120 Tioga Pass closed to the public as they continue to clear debris and rockfall that litter the roadway due to the major storm that just passed through California.ย The storm brought heavy rain and snowfall at higher elevations which caused some extremely large boulders to fall on the roadway. CalTrans’ over-the-road equipment is not large enough to remove the debris whole so they used explosives to make them more manageable.

“Mono County – State Route 120 Tioga Pass will remain closed overnight. Rocks continue to fall and crews are working as fast as possible to clear the road.”

California Transportation District 9 Bishop, California

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Could do it with one well placed stick of dynamite drilled into the rock...
Large explosion’s are created using dynamite placed on top of the massive boulders to crack each one into smaller pieces. Source; Caltrans District 9 Facebook Video. (CalTrans District 9)

Tioga Pass’ elevation is slightly under 10,000 feet, making it a backcountry skiing mecca in the Eastern Sierras. When the pass is cleared and open in the spring, droves of skiers and riders make their way to Bishop in order to access some of the best terrain the Eastern Sierras have to offer with ease. Unfortunately, as the pass remains closed until further notice, the fresh early season snowfall that blanketed most of California’s higher elevations will not be accessible from Tioga at this time.

Looking up at the lines off the Dana Plateau on Tioga Pass, CA on April 21st, 2016. Photo: Sheila Romane
Looking up at the lines off the Dana Plateau on Tioga Pass, CA on April 21st, 2016. Photo: Sheila Romane

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