Tioga Pass Open to Cyclists thru Thurs, May 26

[Eric Linser]

Tioga Pass is now open to cyclists (car free except for maintenance/authorized vehicles) through this Thursday, May 26th. Come Friday, open to all vehicular traffic. 

FYI - a reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park during peak hours (6 am – 4 pm) from May 20 through September 30 so arrive early. From the Big Oak Flat Information Station (entrance on Big Oak Flat/Hwy 120) to Tioga Pass (eastern entrance), the ride is ~ 109 miles and a bit over 10,000 feet of climbing as an out-and-back. You shave off ~ 16 miles off if you drive in and park at the lot for the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead.

Last year, no one was manning the entrance kiosks before 6 am so I just rode through. The scenery of upper Yosemite is amazing so if you can cut out of work this week or are retired, it's a worthy bucket list type of ride.

Bonne route!

Eric Linser

[anothe...@gmail.com]

Hi Eric.

On Yosemite's plowing update page last week (and still today) it explicitly said it was closed to bicycles May 23 through 26, and so was only open to cyclists on Saturday and Sunday, the 21st and 22nd.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm

Tioga Road will be open to bicycles on May 21 and 22 only. (A reservation is still required unless entering the park before 6 am, after 4 pm, or by bicycle.) Cyclists should expect administrative traffic on the road. The road will be closed to bicycles May 23 through 26 due to construction and hazardous conditions.

I couldn't make it out last weekend, but I'd go on Thursday if your information was accurate.

-Brian