5 replies to this topic

[Bat]

Thinking about going to Yosemite and out to Lee Vining and bishop area. I was looking for info on when they close the pass to traffic.

[BSS]

It'll close whenever the first "real" snow hits (It snows pretty much 12 months a year in the high country,) but last year was 10/30. It opened again a week or two later for a few days, but then was closed again for the winter.

[David_h]

Thinking about going to Yosemite and out to Lee Vining and bishop area. I was looking for info on when they close the pass to traffic.

I think the National Park Service does not plow snow on Hwy 120, so NPS might close it with first snowfall. If the snow melts then they might reopen. Caltrans will probably do there share to keep the rest of the highway open until winter begins, but the high elevation portions are in the Nat'l Park, and hopefully the Caltrans/CHP road conditions reflect the NPS closures. I might be going over Tioga Pass on Tuesday morning unless I deter to S. Lake Tahoe to pick up my stove that I forgot in the bear box at a campground. Then I am on to Bishop and Coyote Flat area which is a high elevation plateau above 10,000 foot elev.
Dave H
06 Hawk

[realbtl]

FWIW, when I lived in NoCal I always preferred Sonora Pass to Tioga. Maybe a bit less dramatic but still beautiful and much less traffic. It does close for winter, not sure when.

[bsharp007]

Thinking about going to Yosemite and out to Lee Vining and bishop area. I was looking for info on when they close the pass to traffic.

As others have said they close when the first big snow sticks. I spent 2 weeks in that same area in July. Enjoyed camping at Saddlebag lake good fishing in the lake and a short hike from the lake is "20 lakes basin" with excellent fishing and scenery. Be sure and eat at the Whoa Nellie deli in Lee Vining, easily the best restaurant in Lee Vining.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thinking about going to Yosemite and out to Lee Vining and bishop area. I was looking for info on when they close the pass to traffic.

last year the passes were open almost through the end of nov.try ebbetts pass on hwy.4 nice scenery and camping at mosquito lake most of the other campgrounds close early.some camp spots along the e.carson river.nice this time of the year. frank