PHOTO: Tioga Pass, the eastern entry point to Yosemite National Park, opens today. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
The Tioga Pass is the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada, and its roads have finally been cleared for traffic. The pass opens today at noon Pacific time.
"We would like to thank all of our road crews, as well as our partners in Mono County and Caltrans, for all of their hard work in clearing the road for the opening tomorrow," stated Don Neubacher, Superintendent. "Visitors are urged to travel with caution, as there will be ongoing roadwork and the possibility of ice in some places, especially in the early morning hours."
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The pass, located in Yosemite National Park, is home to several trailheads, which will now be accessible to hikers, including the Gaylor Lakes trail and the trail to the summit of Mount Dana.
While the road through the pass is open, there are limited visitors services available along the way at this time. All of the area's campgrounds along the Tioga Road are still closed. Commercial services, including the Tuolumne Store and the Village Grill, are also closed and there are no anticipated opening dates for these facilities at the moment. The gas station in Tuolumne Meadows is permanently closed, meaning that the nearest gas stations are Crane Flat to the west and Lee Vining to the east.
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The park noted that snow remains and icy conditions are prevalent both on the road as well as on hiking trails. Visitors should be prepared for snowy conditions and possibly for treacherous stream crossings while hiking the backcountry in the early season. For those heading into the wild, beware that late spring storms may pass through, changing the status of the roads at any time and causing temporary closures. Twenty-four-hour road conditions are available by calling 209-372-0200.
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