This is the first time in four years that the park hasn’t required advance booking for summertime day-tripper visits to the valley. But this year’s heavy Sierra snowpack - 244% of normal on April 1 - has rangers reluctant to make any prediction for this summer.Īnother factor for summer travelers to weigh: Yosemite Valley may be unusually crowded this summer, especially on weekends. Tioga Road, snowbound in winter, often opens in May or June after mild winters, June or July after snowy ones. The opening date also remains unknown for the park’s most popular seasonal route, Tioga Road, which connects Yosemite to the Owens Valley near Lee Vining and Mono Lake. Even after reopening, rangers say, 30-minute delays are likely at first. Glacier Point Road was closed all last summer for construction. This is the seasonal route that gives visitors access to the classic view of Half Dome from Glacier Point, about 7,200 feet above sea level and 3,200 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point Road is expected to open “no earlier than July, probably later,” Yosemite’s website reports. Meanwhile, road crews are working toward summer openings for Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road, but because of lingering snow and construction, dates remain uncertain. (The road from the plaza to the trees is open only to shuttle buses and private vehicles with disability placards.) That service takes visitors from Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza - near the park’s south entrance - to Mariposa Grove, home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees. Today, the park is starting summer shuttle service on Mariposa Grove Road. And it means visitors can follow loop itineraries, entering from the south entrance and returning by way of the west entrance. As the highest road in Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level at its highest point, Tioga Road is closed during the winter season due to snowfall. Though the reopening of Big Oak Flat Road doesn’t change northbound driving directions for most visitors from Southern California - who enter the park by way of Oakhurst and Highway 41 - it is likely to ease traffic circulation in the park. (While Highway 120 has been closed, Bay Area visitors have been reaching the park via Highway 140, a detour of roughly 30 miles.) The cables that climbers use to summit Half Dome, for instance, usually are put in place in May, but that hasn’t happened yet. Send Mother Lode News Story photos to Caltrans traffic information for Highway’s 4, 49, 59, 108, and 120 plus a view of traffic on other Mother Lode roads and gas prices click on “Traffic” or keyword: traffic For an overview of extreme weather news stories go here.The snows have forced many changes and delays as the park gears up for summer. Tioga Road, a scenic route that provides access to Yosemite appears to be inching closer to a permanent reservation system after summer crowds overwhelm. Report breaking news, traffic or weather to our News Hotline (209) 532-6397. Sign up for our Breaking News Alerts and the Daily Newsletters by clicking here. When the roadway does reopen to traffic, “visitors can expect short delays due to traffic lights at damaged locations, and longer delays when contractors are making repairs, say state park officials. Extensive repairs and Hantavirus inspections to buildings.Removing trees in danger of falling onto the road.Clearing snow from side roads and parking lots and boulders from Tioga Road.Park’s road officials provided the following work that is still in progress before the road can completely reopen: Tioga Road will open when sanitation and public safety requirements are met.” Park officials advised, “The park is contracting for portable toilets and pumping of vault toilets. The wastewater treatment plant cannot operate until the liner is repaired and the groundwater level lowers. They added, “We are optimistic it will open before the end of July.” One of the problems discovered by crews is a torn line at the sewage ponds. While it is clear of snow all the way to Highway 120 Tioga Pass, Tioga Road will not reopen this weekend, according to Yosemite officials. Yosemite, CA – Yosemite National Park road crews are updating work being done to repair Tioga Road so it can hopefully reopen before August.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |