In January, the only people typically accessing Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park are usually the winter rangers and intrepid skiers. This year, however, park visitors have been enjoying a rare treat of late season access to the high country. On December 19, the National Park Service reopened the road, and the dry, sunny weather has allowed the access to continue--to record breaking results.
In the history of Tioga Road it has remained open only six times past December 1 and until today the all-time record of January 1 was set in 2000. And with no storms forecast in the near future, the new record might extend well into January.
The road remaining open has made ice skating on Tenaya Lake a new winter past-time (although a potentially hazardous one as the National Park Service does not recommend it for safety reasons) and afforded hikers the opportunity to explore favorite trails that are usually under snow. Indeed, conditions in the Sierra Nevada resemble that of fall more than winter, and skiers are getting impatient for more snow. The Reno-Lake Tahoe area reported its driest December since 1883, and San Francisco experienced its third driest December since record-keeping began.
As December is usually a wet month in California concerns of drought have arisen. Yet a change in weather patterns, which looks likely for mid-January, could return the snowpack to near normal. Until then people will continue to enjoy the rare access to Yosemite's high country in winter.
For Tioga Road conditions and updates, visit the National Park Service's website or call (209) 372-0200.
