Yosemite's Tioga Road closed for snow forecast, no reopening time given

Tioga Road, the stretch of Highway 120 that crosses Yosemite National Park, was set to close temporarily on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. because of a forecast of snow, according to the National Park Service's Yosemite current-conditions page. No estimated reopening time has been reported, so treat the road as closed until the park says otherwise.

KMPH, in a report published Tuesday evening, Oct. 20, said the park announced the temporary closure for Wednesday. MyMotherLode.com reported the road was closing because of the potential for wet, icy, slippery conditions. AD HOC NEWS also reported the National Park Service closed Tioga Road on Oct. 21.

No reopening time yet

MyMotherLode.com reported that no estimated reopening time has been given. Road crews must first check the roadway after the snowfall for damage, hazards or debris that needs clearing before it is safe for visitors.

Other passes

Yosemite officials oversee Tioga Pass on Highway 120. Caltrans, California's state transportation department, manages Highway 108 over Sonora Pass and Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass, MyMotherLode.com reported.

Deep Arrival, citing a Caltrans District 9 release published by Sierra Wave, reported that State Route 120 was to close at the Lee Vining gate at 5 p.m. on Oct. 21. It also reported that State Route 108 over Sonora Pass was to close at 8 a.m. the same day near the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.

Getting into Yosemite Valley

Deep Arrival reported that drivers can still reach Yosemite Valley on El Portal Road from the west, Wawona Road from the south and Big Oak Flat Road from the northwest. The park's conditions page lists Big Oak Flat Road with expected 15-minute delays on weekdays.

Before you go

If your route crosses the Sierra Nevada, check the National Park Service's Yosemite current-conditions page and Caltrans for the latest status on the day you travel. Don't count on a cross-park drive until the park says Tioga Road has reopened. Conditions can change quickly in snow.