

What can you expect on the Tioga Road drive?Įssential facts about Tioga Road (CA State Route 120)
#TIOGA ROAD OPEN PLUS#
Originally built in the 1880s as a road to ferry ore, Tioga Road was improved and re-opened to the public in 1961.ĭesigned to show off the spectacular scenery of the High Sierra, Tioga Road is considered one of the most scenic roads in the US national parks system.Ĭonsidering the Tioga Road drive over Tioga Pass? Read on to discover what to expect, plus our tips for doing the drive. Unless otherwise posted here, both roads are closed to cyclists if they are closed to vehicles.Olmsted Point is a must-stop spot along Tioga Road! Any updates regarding pre-opening access on these roads will appear on this webpage.

In some years, these roads may be open during limited periods to bicycles prior to opening to cars. Will I be able to ride a bicycle on the Tioga or Glacier Point Roads before they open to cars? Plowing and culvert clearing continues, and crews clear ditches and fill potholes.Just prior to opening, staff set up operations at the entrance station, wilderness/visitor center, and move into housing. Meanwhile, other crews remove trees in danger of falling on the road and in developed areas, clear culverts on side roads, and replace signs.Ĭrews then work on setting up or de-winterizing buildings. During this time, several avalanche zones typically remain active.Ĭrews then shovel out infrastructure and begin the process of turning on drinking water and sewer systems.
#TIOGA ROAD OPEN FULL#
Additional work is still required before the road can open:Ĭrews plow to the full width of Tioga Road and roads leading to critical infrastructure. Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations in order to plow and sand park roads that are open.Įven after plowing is complete, trash collection, functioning restrooms, and adequate staffing must be in place to prevent harm to park resources.įor Tioga Road, once plows reach Tioga Pass, just one lane is plowed.Rockfalls buried by the snow can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow can cause substantial damage to equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they're cleared.Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.

The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires careful work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here. In some years, Glacier Point Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. Plowing typically begins around April 15. Glacier Point Road is typically open to vehicles from sometime in May until sometime in November. Arrive early in the morning to avoid long delays and full parking lots. Parking at Glacier Point and throughout the park is limited. Expect 30-minute delays, Monday through Friday, 6 am to 9 pm. Glacier Point Road opened on July 15, 2023. In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November.
#TIOGA ROAD OPEN HOW TO#
Marked trails may be hard or impossible to follow hikers should have GPS, as well as map and compass (and know how to use them). Stay on trails to protect growing plants and plan for wet feet. Snow is persisting in some shady areas as low as 8,000 feet, with extensive, deep snow coverage by 9,000 feet. It's still snowy up there! Meadows and some trails are flooded. Other campgrounds on Tioga Road will not open this year. There is no estimate when Tamarack Flat or Porcupine Flat Campgrounds will open. Tioga Road has some damage, so watch for one-lane sections, with delays up to 15 minutes just east of Olmsted Point. The visitor center and wilderness center in Tuolumne Meadows are open. Be sure to bring all the food and water you need.
#TIOGA ROAD OPEN PORTABLE#
While vault and portable toilets are available, there is no water, no store or food service, and no fuel. Tioga Road opened on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
