Hi All, I just got home from a quick trip up to Sonora Pass.
The aspens and cottonwoods along the Stanislaus River are looking great-bright, young leaves of vibrant green with a nice yellow component.
On the west side, there is still some snow at 8000 feet. The aspens, willow, and Mountain Mohagony are just leafing out. Up higher, there is more snow, but some south facing slopes at 9000-10000 feet are really dry. The meadows are mostly covered, but I don't expect that to last long. Last year, in June, there was an average of 4-8 feet of snow, and the coverage was pretty continuous.
Snow bridges are extremely weak, with visible sag and some cracking-Keep Off! There is also some evidence of rock fall from the volcanic rock faces. Streams are running fast and very cold, but not near the volume of last year. Crossings would be real iffy.
I expect the flowers will bloom around the third week of June, early July. Given the lack of snow and the warmer temps we've been having, I expect the high country will be pretty dry this year.
I'll be going back there in about two weeks, so I'll post another update at that time.
I took my 4x5, but the light was crummy-very hazy from a control burn, and it was pretty breezy. So, I hiked around a bit, feasted my eyes, and sat in one of my favorite spots and played my guitar-It was a perfect day.
-PB
******Original Post******
Hi All: Here's the latest info on the Sierra Passes...
Sonora Pass: Will open on Friday, May 11 at noon. There is still some construction work going on East of the Pass in Mono County, so expect delays.
Tioga Pass...From the NPS...
Yosemite, Ca -- This Friday at noon, Tioga Rd. (Tioga Pass) will open for the season.
Yosemite National Park officials say that hikers and backcountry users should be aware that many of the trails are still covered with snow which could make route finding difficult. Additionally, hikers should be prepared for high water, which may make stream crossings difficult or impossible.
All campgrounds along the Tioga Rd. corridor (including White Wolf, Tamarack Flat, Yosemite Creek, and Porcupine Flat) and the Tuolumne Meadows Campground will remain closed until further notice.
Thaks Preston,
I drove through Sonora Pass (108) on the 26th April so I guess something must have happened in the mean time. Any idea on Glaicer Point road?
Thanks for the updates Preston. No doubt lack of snow this year has made this all possible this early in the season. Are you coming over to the east side at all?
Yes, this is a pretty early opening. Enrique, they did open Sonora in April, but then closed it again to do work on culvrets on the east side of the pass. It was supposed to open again yesterday, but the storm we had last week set the work back a couple of days.
Paul: I hope to get over to East Side as soon as I can. Work related stuff is keeping me pretty close to home front, at the moment.
Also, folks; due to the very low snowpack and rapidly warming temps, the Sierra spring will be short-lived this year. The upside of this is the bugs won't be so bad: the skeeters were evil last year.
Thanks for your update! I thought we were close when I noticed the American flag flying in the webcam shot of Tioga Pass. As to you last comment about the Sierra spring being short-lived, can you give a little advice or more comments to someone who hasn't made it to the high country at this time of year?? Apprecaite your comments and updates!
The skeeters were horrible the last two summers, maybe even three summers. As bad as the dry year is, the mitigation of them damn bugs is blessing. Shooting at dawn or dusk when they are really bad is pure torture, especially with a 4x5 (slow shooting).
According to YNP and Caltrans, Tioga and Sonora Passes are both open! Yippeeeee!
Bishop: When the snow pack is low, the melt and runoff happen sooner. Therefore, plants that are usually under snow will pop up and typically flower earlier than normal. This will be especially true for areas that face south. North facing aspects will take a bit longer.
Also, if the temperatures maintain their current 'at or above normal' status, look for stream flow to lessen more quickly, meadows will dry sooner and (safety wise) snowbridges will be very weak.
Harley; Anything that will reduce the numbers of the blood sucking little *#@&@!es will be more than welcome! Last summer Dan Baumbach and I were shooting on the shore of Mack Lake in Little Lakes Valley. I was setting up and Dan says, "Holy crap, Preston, your back is covered with bugs! A 'slapping fest' ensued, and we took great delight in dispatching the little *#@&@!es.
Anywayyyy, you folks have a good time, and be safe!-PB
So Preston, when would be a good time to get a tour of Sonora Pass? I'm itching to try something else besides Yosemite. How long will the spring runoff last and how soon can we expect any wildflowers?
I won't know about runoff or the flower action until I can get up there to see whaz up. I'm going to try to get up there for a day trip next Wednesay (5/16) to take a look around.
It would be great to meet up sometime. I'll drop you a line off-forum.
Discussion
11 repliesThe aspens and cottonwoods along the Stanislaus River are looking great-bright, young leaves of vibrant green with a nice yellow component.
On the west side, there is still some snow at 8000 feet. The aspens, willow, and Mountain Mohagony are just leafing out. Up higher, there is more snow, but some south facing slopes at 9000-10000 feet are really dry. The meadows are mostly covered, but I don't expect that to last long. Last year, in June, there was an average of 4-8 feet of snow, and the coverage was pretty continuous.
Snow bridges are extremely weak, with visible sag and some cracking-Keep Off! There is also some evidence of rock fall from the volcanic rock faces. Streams are running fast and very cold, but not near the volume of last year. Crossings would be real iffy.
I expect the flowers will bloom around the third week of June, early July. Given the lack of snow and the warmer temps we've been having, I expect the high country will be pretty dry this year.
I'll be going back there in about two weeks, so I'll post another update at that time.
I took my 4x5, but the light was crummy-very hazy from a control burn, and it was pretty breezy. So, I hiked around a bit, feasted my eyes, and sat in one of my favorite spots and played my guitar-It was a perfect day.
-PB
******Original Post******
Hi All: Here's the latest info on the Sierra Passes...
Sonora Pass: Will open on Friday, May 11 at noon. There is still some construction work going on East of the Pass in Mono County, so expect delays.
Tioga Pass...From the NPS...
Yosemite, Ca -- This Friday at noon, Tioga Rd. (Tioga Pass) will open for the season.
Yosemite National Park officials say that hikers and backcountry users should be aware that many of the trails are still covered with snow which could make route finding difficult. Additionally, hikers should be prepared for high water, which may make stream crossings difficult or impossible.
All campgrounds along the Tioga Rd. corridor (including White Wolf, Tamarack Flat, Yosemite Creek, and Porcupine Flat) and the Tuolumne Meadows Campground will remain closed until further notice.
Ebbets Pass: Open.
Enjoy the mountains, everyone!
-PB
I drove through Sonora Pass (108) on the 26th April so I guess something must have happened in the mean time. Any idea on Glaicer Point road?
Paul: I hope to get over to East Side as soon as I can. Work related stuff is keeping me pretty close to home front, at the moment.
Also, folks; due to the very low snowpack and rapidly warming temps, the Sierra spring will be short-lived this year. The upside of this is the bugs won't be so bad: the skeeters were evil last year.
-PB
Thanks for your update! I thought we were close when I noticed the American flag flying in the webcam shot of Tioga Pass. As to you last comment about the Sierra spring being short-lived, can you give a little advice or more comments to someone who hasn't made it to the high country at this time of year?? Apprecaite your comments and updates!
The skeeters were horrible the last two summers, maybe even three summers. As bad as the dry year is, the mitigation of them damn bugs is blessing. Shooting at dawn or dusk when they are really bad is pure torture, especially with a 4x5 (slow shooting).
Bishop: When the snow pack is low, the melt and runoff happen sooner. Therefore, plants that are usually under snow will pop up and typically flower earlier than normal. This will be especially true for areas that face south. North facing aspects will take a bit longer.
Also, if the temperatures maintain their current 'at or above normal' status, look for stream flow to lessen more quickly, meadows will dry sooner and (safety wise) snowbridges will be very weak.
Harley; Anything that will reduce the numbers of the blood sucking little *#@&@!es will be more than welcome! Last summer Dan Baumbach and I were shooting on the shore of Mack Lake in Little Lakes Valley. I was setting up and Dan says, "Holy crap, Preston, your back is covered with bugs! A 'slapping fest' ensued, and we took great delight in dispatching the little *#@&@!es.
Anywayyyy, you folks have a good time, and be safe!-PB
Drop me a note if you'll be heading out.
Lon
I won't know about runoff or the flower action until I can get up there to see whaz up. I'm going to try to get up there for a day trip next Wednesay (5/16) to take a look around.
It would be great to meet up sometime. I'll drop you a line off-forum.
-PB
I'm going to be doing my workshop that 1st weekend in October--Let's try & get together again OK?
I hope you are doing well.
Jack