Volgelsang Pass in July

[fpb56]

So with all the snow this year and maybe a little more to come, I am wondering if passes like Volgelsang Pass will be traveled and safe during the 3D week of July? I’m not sure about the snow level up there right now but I’d like to have an idea what’s currently up there.

[rlown]

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/sta ... ion_id=TES

Should give you an Idea from the Tioga pass entry station. Click on any of the hourly data.

[fpb56]

Thanks

[paul]

You can be pretty sure that there will have been some folks over the pass by then, but it may not be many since the Tioga road could open late this year. Keep an eye out for the road opening. the later it opens, the smaller the number of folks who will have been over teh pass before you. The park has a web page for plowing progress:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm
From that you will be able to get an idea how it is progressing a while before the road opens. and of course, the caltrans website will show it open as soon as it is:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
just type 120 in the box.
Also, keep an eye on the conditions reports here on HST.

[rlown]

Keep in mind Caltrans only plows up to the east entry site. Park plowing is the park staff.

[rightstar76]

fpb56, how much snow is there today isn't the only factor affecting how much will be up there the 3rd week in July. Depends on how hot it gets between now and then and if there are more snow storms this month and April. A warm spring and little additional snow, plus a few big heat waves and you could easily be walking over Vogelsang Pass the 3rd week in July. Currently, what's forecast is a warming trend beginning the middle of this week and no major storms for a few weeks. That of course could change. It could snow the end of this month and into April. You probably won't have an idea until the beginning of June. If Tioga Pass is still closed with no planned opening date, unless June and July are very warm, there will probably be snow on the pass. Traveled, yes. Safe, it depends on how much snow is still on the ground, your skill level, and experience.

Some nice pictures of the snow up in the Tuolumne Meadows area last week:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/update-f ... 6-2019.htm

[rlown]

Ignore the predictions. Watch the snow melt and pay attention to the details that Paul's links pointed out.

[fpb56]

Thanks everyone I appreciate the quick feedback