Sonora Pass 2011

[snowranger]

What are the chances of reopening tomorrow am? I am stuck in Bridgeport and debating waiting.

[sftc]

What are the chances of reopening tomorrow am?.....

I just talked to a Cal Trans guy and they have it closed now in antipication of this:

June Begins With A Winter Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada on Wednesday from noon through midnight.

Up to two inches of snow accumulation is expected at 5000 feet. Up to four inches of snow is likely above 6500 feet.

For mountain pass chain control conditions click on http://www.mymotherlode.com/traffic

Mother Nature was unable to comment on why Old Man Winter hasn't gone to bed.

The Cal Trans guy I talked to made it sound like they weren't planning on clearing the road ASAP if it snows and then there are usually a few rocks to clear, so I doubt it will be repopened before noon on Thursday, but I would put money on it being open by Friday, unless we get more snow on Thursday.

Right now on the west side of the pass at about 3000 ft. it's 49 deg. and it just started raining lightly with a bit of wind coming from the west, so that will probably turn into snow by tiime it gets to the top of the pass.
(Edit: it's about 20 minutes since I first posted this update and since then the temp has dropped 3 deg. and the wind and rain/hail bursts are getting more intense)

[~mikey b]

yeah - still closed - I would bet it opens Thu by noon

local SNOTEL sites don't show much accumulation

more weather for the weekend

[~mikey b]

http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/loc...ll-Closed.html

Mother Lode Passes Still Closed

June 02, 2011 02:15 pm
Tina Falco, MML News Reporter
Sonora, CA-- All three Mother Lode mountain passes remain closed today.

Yesterday at noon, Caltrans closed Highway 108 Sonora Pass and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass due to snow. Caltrans Spokesperson Chantel Miller says maintenance crews will reevaluate the closure on Friday and decide if the passes can be reopened for the weekend.

Highway 120 Tioga Pass has still not opened for the summer season.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com



If you see breaking news, traffic or weather contact us at kvmlnews@mlode.com or the News Hotline at 532-6397

If you have a photo regarding this news story or any Mother Lode News Story please submit it here.

[snowranger]

We camped out by the training center for about three hours, and then say a Caltrans guy who said it would open on Monday. Going to get some easy skinning at the Wood. It's just to hard to get to the goods right now.

[~mikey b]

No Weekend Opening For Passes

http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/loc...or-Passes.html

June 03, 2011 04:52 pm
Tina Falco, MML News Reporter
Sonora, CA-- Due to another wet weekend, two area mountain passes will remain closed.

That's according to Caltrans Spokesperson Chantel Miller who says the closure of Highway 108 Sonora Pass and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass will be in effect until Monday when maintenance crews can reassess the roads.

The National Weather Service says that Saturday, a quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain is expected in the Sierra Nevada.

On Sunday, an additional quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain is likely in both the Motherlode and the Sierra Nevada. The possibility of showers will also continue on Monday.
Snow levels will remain above 7500 feet with several inches of accumulation expected on Sunday.

Highway 120 Tioga Pass has still not opened for the summer season.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

fucks up my plans

[CaliKid]

According to Caltrans:

This highway information is the latest reported as of Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 11:10 .


SR 108
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

Anyone wish to confirm or deny this?

[sftc]

Yup, Ebbetts and Sonora Pass are both good to go, for now:

Mountain Passes Reopening

June 07, 2011 10:42 am
B.J. Hansen, MML News Director
Sonora, CA -- Two of the area mountain passes are reopening today.

Caltrans closed both Highway 108 Sonora Pass and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass late last week because of high country snow. Caltrans reports that Highway 108 Sonora Pass opened at 10 o'clock this morning and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass is scheduled to open at noon today.

Yosemite National Park has still not decided when it will open Highway 120 Tioga Pass.

[~mikey b]

yep time to hit the reset button on this thread

skipped it today due to pre-school pick-up

game on Thu and beyond...

[~mikey b]

take yer pick of NWS forecasts

depending on where you click yer mouse you get:

something from the Sacramento forecast office

or

something from the Reno forecast office

I usually use Sac, Reno and Hanford when looking at my mtn wx forecasts - SF/Monterey for coastal forecasts

not much difference in the 2, really, but interesting to me

it's weather - it is what it is

[~mikey b]

good love at Sonora Pass today

new snow in transition - a bit of instability on NE aspects - whoomphing - a few wet slabs pulling out - naturals - 1 snowmo highmarker triggered looks like it scared someone yesterday - new snow ought to cook out in the next couple of days

skied No Name - in deference to HJ Burhenne, I think we should call this Sonora Ridge

Leavitt looked fat - Y looked as filled in as it ever will be - folks ought to go git it this weekend

I might be up there with Owen Sat or Sun

[AKbruin]

Any speculation on conditions this weekend? NOAA appears to be forecasting lows in the mid-30's above 10,000', which has me less than optimistic.

[~mikey b]

I think it'll be worth it.

Look at SnoTel sites at Sonora Pass, Leavitt Lake and Leavitt Meadow for weather history.


Leavitt from Sonora Ridge

[IMG][/IMG]

[SchralphMacchio]

for those of you who haven't been there since it has opened, here is how much snow was on the road over Memorial Day Weekend (top of the pass). The county line / elevation markers were nowhere to be found.

[skier666]

Why did I decide to have kids again?

[~mikey b]

so you can take them to Sonora Pass like I'm going to do with Owen in the next few days...

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Word from buddy up in Sonora Pass today was sticky at 9K @ 12, still somewhat not-stick at 10.6K @ 12. Also, he was getting whumping while travelling and some suspect pits.

Lack of refreeze next couple of nights is really going mash-potatoe stuff up I think.... Heading to the leap or valley to do some climbing instead.

[~mikey b]

We'll, I'll be heading up there a few 3-4 days the next week. Reno and Sacramento forecast offices have very different temps forecast for the same area the next few days. I like Reno's - the overnight temps are lower.

Juggling plans...

I'll likely have Owen with me one day, which means I won't be going far, but will be able to run a car shuttle if folks want to drop a vehicle at Blue Lake Canyon and get a ride up to the Pass. I have room for 4 besides Owen and I.

I also might take some old fogies from Lazy Z with me one day. I've got a good spot away from the sleds that I think they'll like. Mellow, 60+ crowd. Again, probably not going too far.

And I should have a day or two w/o children and old folks so I can have a proper day in the mtns.

Let's go skiing.

[Solesides]

Word from buddy up in Sonora Pass today was sticky at 9K @ 12, still somewhat not-stick at 10.6K @ 12. Also, he was getting whumping while travelling and some suspect pits.

Lack of refreeze next couple of nights is really going mash-potatoe stuff up I think.... Heading to the leap or valley to do some climbing instead.

Thanks for this.. Nonetheless, three of us are heading out of the Bay around 7 tomorrow, looking to ski something on the way to Bridgeport. If anyone's going to be out, drop a line..would love to hook up. Will be checking messages on the road..

[SchralphMacchio]

^ maybe you know this, but I figure it's useful beta - last cell service expires at Dardenelles, but I think it's 1G service beyond Pinecrest or Twain Harte. Spotty 3G in Bridgeport.

[Solesides]

I did not, actually. Thanks. Had pretty good luck with coverage up and down 395 on our last trip..once we were there

[TurxSki]

FYI, as of yesterday Tioga is closed 4 miles west of Mo Mart due to rockfall. Rumor is road was damaged and needs repair +/- 2 weeks.

Rockfall, huh? Maybe it was these guys...
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun...-road-20110609

Yosemite National Park's avalanche control team has a particularly big job this year, blowing up mountains of snow along Tioga Road to clear the way for summer tourists

...Mellow...children and old folks...Let's go skiing.

Sounds like just my cup of tea

[~mikey b]

looks like children Sat and old folks Sun

[Ottime]

I think it'll be worth it.

Look at SnoTel sites at Sonora Pass, Leavitt Lake and Leavitt Meadow for weather history.


Leavitt from Sonora Ridge

[IMG][/IMG]

Why did I decide to have kids again?

So you can tell her she was born in the year that Sonora went epic. I imagine you area also thinking about those chutes above the hairpin turn and wondering if when they will go again like they do right now.

As for you others, anyone car to take a picture of that I can salivate over?

[~mikey b]

chaos and strife here

Mom's in the hospital

no skiing today - tomorrow is up in the air