Sierra Passes weather info thread 2013

I had started one last year and it seemed to get some views so here is the 2013 version.

Tioga and Glacier Point roads closed for the season

The significant storm systems that passed through the Yosemite Area over the weekend resulted in an estimated five and-a-half feet of snow accumulation in Tuolumne Meadows. Due to this significant storm, the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads in Yosemite National Park are closed for the season. These roads close each fall and remain closed throughout the winter months until weather conditions permit reopening in the spring next year.
Yosemite National Park is open year-round with snow removal on all other roads within the park. All roads within the park are subject to chain control or temporary closures s due to hazardous driving conditions. All motorists are required to carry tire chains, even if their car is equipped with four-wheel drive, while driving in the park during the winter months.
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, call (209) 372-0200.

Hwy 4 and 120 are closed for the season. Hwy 88 is an all weather highway, but not one I recommend a motorcycle, unless the road is dry.

One specific part of highway 88 to be wary of is the part from Carson Spur down to Kirkwood, a mile or two before the turnoff to the resort. Often, even when the rest of the highway is dry pavement, the eastbound lane past the spur will be covered with a pretty thick layer of icy snow because it's in the shade all day.

Traffic is usually light enough that you can ride in the opposite lane. It's a good mid-winter high Sierra fix when everything else is closed.

I've noticed the west gate to Monitor Pass has a gap big enough for a bike and the snow is thinner that far east, might be worth a try.

Also, for the obscurist: Winton Road is gated at both ends starting Nov. 15th each year. That's a privately owned paved SPI forest road that can be used to connect the community of West Point with Hwy 4 near Bear Valley. A good summer shortcut to get to 4 if comng down from the north, saves you from having to run all the way down to Angels Camp and up past Murphys.

Mormon Emigrant Road and Wentworth Springs Road are also closed for the season.

Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau

<a class="uiLinkSubtle" href="https://www.facebook.com/yosemitesierra/posts/10151330686655202"><abbr title="Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 11:08am" data-utime="1355425724" class="timestamp livetimestamp">2 hours ago</abbr>

Road Conditions update: Chains are required per YNP and Cal Trans as follows, as of 10:30 am:
Yosemite Valley – R1 Chains or snow tires
Highway 120W – R2 Chains or 4WD with snow tires
Highway 41 – R2 inside YNP and chains also required Hwy 41
from 2 miles above Big Cedar Springs
Mariposa Grove Road and Hetch Hetchy Road are closed
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are closed for the season

This could and should change minute-by-minute as the weather warms. Call 209/372-0200, 1, 1 for conditions inside the park or 800/427-7623 for road conditions on highways outside the park.

with the light winter we may see a early opening..

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wroads.htm

Everything except Hwy 120 is now open.

Just read Tioga is opening tomorrow( Sunday)

The local paper says it will open at noon today.

Opened by 9:30

You were there weren't you