Sonora Pass Opening Date 2005

[johndm]

Hi,

Will be over to the US on May 21st for a 3 week roadtrip.

Looks like the Tioga Pass will be open late this year, but I'm struggling to find the same info on the Sonora Pass.

Will be trying the Sonora around May 30th, any website or info regarding a likley opening date appreciated.

regards

[Jemmind]

Here ya go- but this is updated hourly-so don't think this is a thing you can plan so far out?
CalTrans Road Conditions- tells whether pass is open- scroll to 108
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/Hourly

And this might help...got this from http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/clsdates.htm
closure dates for last 5 years. Historically you should be good to go by May 30!

Sonora Pass SR 108
'88/'89 11/6-5/14
'89/'90 11/22-5/19
'90/'91 11/14-5/3
'91/'92 11/21-5/22
'92/'93 11/06-5/22
'93/'94 11/10-5/6

Hope this helps!
Julie

[robertwgross]

Along the main stretch of the Sierra Nevada Range, nearly all of the highways are closed in winter. Some are finally plowed open in May, and once in a while it will be June before one or the other is opened. Rarely are they opened prior to May.

Sonora Pass (CA 108) is just north of Tioga Pass (CA 120). Tioga runs through Yosemite National Park, and commercial trucking is not allowed through the park. As a result, most trucking goes north to Sonora Pass. However, Sonora Pass is no "walk in the park" for a trucker. It has some nasty hairpin curves that must be negotiated at 15 miles per hour. Tioga has much better scenery, but if you are driving, you aren't watching much of the scenery.

Caltrans has been working to get Tioga Pass and Sonora Pass open, but it is quite a mess of snow to move.

What is great, if you are a photographer, is to get up there in the first day or two of the road opening in May or whenever. There is still lots of snow left around the road, and that makes for some dynamite contrast. Blue sky, white snow, lots of rock, lots of trees. Take your polarizing filter.

I prefer to wait until about June 25. That is when the wildflowers are best along the Tioga Road.

---Bob Gross---

[jkinnear]

I live in Sonora and will keep you updated on the opening of Sonora Pass. As of now, I heard that SR 108 has been opened to Kennedy Meadow. The weather has been unsettled and precip is forcast for this weekend. It could all change...ie more snow or flash flooding. (5/25/05)

[jkinnear]

SR 108 open to Kennedy Meadow as of 5/25/05 according to Sonora Union Democrat (local newspaper). Also, one way traffic control, shoulder restrictions, 9am to 3pm Thursday, May 26 in the Kennedy Meadow area, maintenance, five minute delays.

[johndm]

SR 108 open to Kennedy Meadow as of 5/25/05 according to Sonora Union Democrat (local newspaper). Also, one way traffic control, shoulder restrictions, 9am to 3pm Thursday, May 26 in the Kennedy Meadow area, maintenance, five minute delays.

Cheers for the info, but we left for Cal on May 21st..........made the pass OK, as it opened just two days before we got to that part of our trip.

Regards