by Phil » Wed May 20, 2020 6:35 pm
They're tentatively shooting for a 06/01 opening. They're talking reservations to even enter the park itself, but I'm not sure how that may or may not apply to wilderness permits and travel. I'm not seeing any updates for plowing and opening Tioga Rd just yet, though.
With the GCT and Pate Valley, you have to remember a couple other things as well, besides the bridge-
Dependent on the snowpack (which is low) and the melt rate, you can get some pretty good trail flooding in a few places. At times the bridge above Glen Aulin can be partially submerged....though not too likely this year. Secondly, regardless of anything but timing a trip for later in the summer, you're virtually guaranteed to have some flooding just past Glen Aulin proper below Wildcat Point; down canyon from the HSC, and ankle to knee deep with lots of mud. Register Creek has also been known to create some problems with crossings earlier on, and is sometimes impassable at high flows, esp in the afternoon. And lastly, you can get some pretty good submersion on the lower end of the canyon just east of Pate; knee deep-ish, but I've seen it waist high and more, although they'll usually close the trail when that's the case.
Lot's of other logistical and practical subtleties and considerations on the trail and traveling it. If you don't know them but do want anymore info, ask.