May 9, 2024

Roads crew is working in the area of the Olmsted Point avalanche zone, about 30 miles from the Crane Flat gate. Progress was slower this week due to up to two feet of new snow along Tioga Road and diversion of plows to keep other roads open.

After consultation with the avalanche team, the roads crew made an initial plow through Olmsted Point avalanche zone yesterday. Olmsted Point remains an active avalanche zone, which the avalanche crew continues to closely monitor to ensure safety. Dozers and two blowers have now started working beyond Olmsted Point.

The Olmsted Point avalanche zone is not open for administrative access yet, so crews have not been able to assess utilities and other facilities in Tuolumne Meadows.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

May 2, 2024

The roads crew has plowed 24 miles from the Crane Flat gate and is currently working east of Porcupine Flat Campground.

Snow depths range from three to five feet. The snow is refreezing overnight, which making progress more difficult. A winter weather advisory is in effect this weekend, so plows may be diverted to keeping other park roads clear.

Avalanche team continues to monitor avalanche zones and has scouted as far as Tioga Pass. Buildings and Grounds staff have made an initial assessment of White Wolf, but the area is still buried in several feet of snow.

May 1 snow survey results are in. Snow (water content) is at 87% for the Tuolumne River basin and 106% for the Merced River basin.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

April 25, 2024

The roads crew has plowed 17 miles easterly from the Crane Flat gate and is currently working west of Yosemite Creek. Within the 17 miles, avalanche hazard is still present at South Fork Tuolumne River.

Snow has been somewhat soft—not nearly as icy as last year—and things are melting out. The avalanche team made it to Olmsted Point on Tuesday and things are beginning to melt at Olmsted Point, although avalanche hazard remains present at Olmsted Point and other avalanche zones.

Cooler temps and chance of light showers or snow is forecast for this weekend, and warmer temperatures next week.

Facilities management employees have not been able to access Tuolumne Meadows to conduct assessments and begin preparing utilities and other visitor services for use.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

April 18, 2024

Road crews have plowed nine miles from Crane Flat and are currently working in six to seven feet of snow. The first avalanche zone they plowed through will remain an avalanche zone for some time.

Snowpack is average this year, although snowpack is just one of many factors influencing when the road opens.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

April 4, 2024

Tioga Road plowing will begin around April 15. Snowpack is average this year, although snowpack is just one of many factors influencing when the road opens.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

July 22, 2023

Tioga Road opened on Saturday, July 22, 2023. While vault and portable toilets are available, there is no water, no store or food service, and no fuel. Be sure to bring all the food and water you need. The visitor center and wilderness center in Tuolumne Meadows are open.

Tioga Road has some damage, so watch for one-lane sections, with delays up to 15 minutes just east of Olmsted Point.

There is no estimate when Tamarack Flat or Porcupine Flat Campgrounds will open. Other campgrounds on Tioga Road will not open this year.

It's still snowy up there! Meadows and some trails are flooded. Snow is persisting in some shady areas as low as 8,000 feet, with extensive, deep snow coverage by 9,000 feet. Stay on trails to protect growing plants and plan for wet feet. 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).

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cycling one or more days before opening to vehicles. If this occurs in 2024, we'll provide that information here.

July 19, 2023

Great news! Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) will open to vehicles on Saturday, July 22, at 8 am. While vault and portable toilets will be available, there will be no water, no store or food service, and no fuel. Be sure to bring all the food and water you need. The visitor center and wilderness center in Tuolumne Meadows will be open.

Tioga Road has some damage, so watch for one-lane sections, with delays up to 15 minutes just east of Olmsted Point.

There is no estimate when Tamarack Flat or Porcupine Flat Campgrounds will open. Other campgrounds on Tioga Road will not open this year.

It's still snowy up there! Meadows and some trails are flooded. Snow is persisting in some shady areas as low as 8,000 feet, with extensive, deep snow coverage by 9,000 feet. Stay on trails to protect growing plants and plan for wet feet. 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).

Tioga Road will be open to bikes on Friday, July 21. For their safety, cyclists must obey the traffic light just east of Olmsted Point.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Tioga Road is clear of snow all the way to Tioga Pass, however, Tioga Road will not open this weekend. We are optimistic it will open before the end of the July.

The following work is in progress:

• Clearing snow from side roads and parking lots, and boulders from Tioga Road
• Removing trees in danger of falling onto the road
• Extensive repairs and hantavirus inspections to buildings.

When the road opens to the public, visitors should expect short delays associated with traffic lights at damaged locations, and longer delays when contractors are making repairs.

Utility crews discovered a torn line at the sewage ponds. The wastewater treatment plant cannot operate until the liner is repaired and groundwater level lowers. The park is contracting for portable toilets and pumping of vault toilets. Tioga Road will open when sanitation and public safety requirements are met.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

As reported last week, one lane is plowed the length of Tioga Road to Tioga Pass. Crews continue to clear snow from the roadway and shoulders. In addition, crews are conducting minor repairs, mitigating hazard trees, and performing other tasks necessary to prepare the Tioga Road for public access.

The avalanche hazard at Olmsted Point is declining due to the recent warm temperatures melting the heavy snow and ice. We are working to repair road damage at Olmsted Point, 10 miles west of Olmsted Point, and near Tamarack Flat Campground.

Park crews continue to make extensive repairs to employee housing, work areas, and visitor facilities. In order to protect public health, water quality, and other park resources, sanitation facilities must be available before the Tioga Road can open to the public. The park is contracting for pumping of vault toilets along the Tioga Road corridor and for potable toilets in employee housing and work areas. There is no estimated opening date for the Tioga Road.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

At least one lane is plowed along the length of Tioga Road, although the Olmsted Point avalanche zone is still active and dangerous. More plowing, tree work, road work, and sign replacement is still required before the road can open. Additionally, restrooms must be available before the Tioga Road can open to the public. Restrooms are necessary to protect public health, water quality, and other park resources. There is no estimated opening date.

There is road damage at Olmsted Point, 10 miles west of Olmsted Point, and near Tamarack Flat Campground.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Crews are continuing to work in the Olmsted Point area in thick ice, which has been exceptionally challenging (dozers are ineffective, so crews are using excavators to break up the ice so the blowers can plow it). Avalanche danger at Olmsted Point remains a concern.

There is road damage at Olmsted Point, 10 miles west of Olmsted Point, and near Tamarack Flat Campground. Assessments continue, and the roadbed is not visible at Olmsted Point due to ice.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Road and avalanche crews are working at the Olmsted Point avalanche zone.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are currently near May Lake pit, west of Olmsted Point, about 26 miles east of Crane Flat. Rain and heavy fog have slowed work (by crews ahead of the plows) at the Olmsted Point avalanche zone.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are currently just east of Yosemite Creek, which is about 18 miles from Crane Flat.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

In some years, Tioga Road opens to cyclists for a day or a few days prior to the road opening to vehicles. If this occurs this year, that update will appear here.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are currently just east of Yosemite Creek, which is about 18 miles from Crane Flat.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are 15 miles from the Crane Flat gate.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are 14 miles from the Crane Flat gate (just west of White Wolf), plowing through 8 to 11 feet of snow. Avalanche crews (ahead of the plows) are blasting at Olmsted Point but are seeing very thick ice there.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

Plows are 11 miles from the Crane Flat gate (about 3 miles west of White Wolf), plowing through 8 to 11 feet of snow. Three dozers and three blowers are working on the road.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.

The avalanche team has been traveling the road by snowcat has begun to mitigate avalanche zones. More equipment is being hauled up to begin work.

Yosemite had record snowpack (over 240% of average) as of April 1, 2023. In the previous snowiest years, Tioga Road opened in late June or early July. There is no way to provide a more precise estimate for this year.

Tioga Road is typically open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November. Plowing typically begins around April 15.