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Roads?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:53 pm
by Wickett
How are the roads going into Yosemite on 120 with all the rain/snow right now. AKA March 3rd. I want to go to the valley this weekend and this is my first winter trip. I am from Alaska, so driving in snow is no big deal, but it depends on how much snow. Are the roads plowed pretty quickly, semi-quickly, or in a few days? In Anchorage the plows could handle 10ft. in one night, is it the same in Yosemite?

Re: Roads?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:44 am
by dan
The roads that are open are kept pretty clear of snow most of the time. It's hardest during a snowstorm, but they don't take long to clear them.. The biggest problem is when it's warm during the day and the roads ice up at night and stay icy in the morning and on shaded curves.

The roads that are snowbound are closed until late spring (late May or June usually). That is, Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road (Highway 120 East over the Sierra Nevada crest). The road to Wawona Grove is also closed,

Here's a good webpage to check road conditions. Calling the recorded number is better during a storm as they seem to keep it more up-to-date for some reason.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

The Yosemite Valley webcams also give a rough idea of what it's like:

http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:16 pm
by Wickett
Thanks!