The High Sierra Passes thread. Tales, photos, AND road status updates

3-4 feet of snow all the way across the road at 6000 feet. I assume deeper as the altitude goes up. I don't know if they plow it or just wait for it to melt off. No evidence of any efforts to plow so far.

it will be a while..

Well there's always next year, at least it put one hell of a dent in the drought

Monitor pass opened.

http://www.recordcourier.com/news/latest-opening-for-monitor-pass-in-13-years/

From that article...

Caltrans estimates there are still 50-foot snowdrifts to clear off parts of Highway 120 to Tioga Pass, the east entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Yeah, it's gonna be a while

I'll be in Reno for 10 days on a 1200gs mid July. Never been there. I love mountain twistys and forest service roads.

Has anyone been over Monitor since it opened? Is it rideable? Seems it might still be icy. Overnight temps in the 20s in Bridgeport. I'd like to do a lunch ride to Walker or Bridgeport, but it might be too early.

Unless it's been raining or snowing in the last 24 hours... no.

Don't need precipitation for icy roads. If the days melt doesn't evaporate, and refreezes, the road can remain icy until well into the next morning. (Depending on the temps) Ive ridden into those conditions more than once. Once on 120 in the park it was starting to refreeze in the late afternoon. Im hoping someone with first hand knowledge might check in.

^^That`s a fact, Jack!

Not looking likely to see the big ones open by Memorial Day. Maybe Labor Day.

Great info in this thread. I have started a YT channel featuring Great CA moto roads. Just a source for seeing what some of these roads are like:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/zoa/getobext.php?sid=MNPC1

Unless there is unsettled weather it will be fine. The sun is strong this time of year.

I used to ride Monitor pass on my bicycle before it opened in the past. When everything else was clear, there was one long cut with a northern exposure that was filled with snow but most of the rest gets pretty good sun. I'd imagine there would be ice in the mornings from frozen run off but on a sunny days, that melts off no later than late morning. Cool to cold cloudy days, it would obviously be later.

Figured I would ride Monitor today since it is going to be cold and crappy next week. Road is in good shape and cleaned up nice. There were only about a half dozen spots where any melt was coming over the road and a few small rocks had fallen onto the road in the narrows before 395. Little windy today but perfect temps. Only drama was when some kid on a rocket bike made me pee myself a little trying to keep up.....

Schweet. Thanks for the pic. Looks like the Rhino for lunch on Saturday.

Any reports on Sherman Pass down south? Link?

Thx.


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Damn. Wanted to ride some of these passes soon. Guess not

Hey fellas I'm looking for some advice, not sure where to start so I'll try here with you guys. I'm looking to do some dual sport riding in the Bishop area this summer (when most of the high elevation snow has melted). One area I want to hit is the Coyote Flats area just west/ southwest of Bishop (I used to camp there years ago so I want to buzz up there and check it out) and other trails to be determined later.

My question is regarding camping close to Bishop, as I said before I used to camp up in Coyote Flats years ago, but we'll be in a long bed, crew cab, dually so I don't want to take it up to Coyote Flats since it's not really equipped for that. So I'm looking at camping off of Buttermilk Road (just off the 168 up to Lake Sabrina)??? What are your thoughts about this area? Is it ok, nasty, bad spot, etc., etc.? I'm trying to stay out of a traditional campground with close neighbors, quiet time, etc.. But also I'm concerned about our location choice because we'll obviously be gone for extended hours so I don't want a sketchy "off the grid" campsite either. I know nothing about that area, but I'm trying to stay relatively close to Bishop so we don't have to do too much highway speed riding to various trails (we're on KTM 350's so extended speeds over 60 mph will have the bikes screaming...I know, I could just throw the 14 back on and be fine, but I like my motocross gearing). Anyway, suggestions, advice, ideas, alternatives? Thanks.

Any word on when Sonora pas will be open. I'm coming back from NV June 11th and wanted to take that over.

If I were you I would plan on using Sonora Pass, but also have an alternative plan to use Carson Pass instead. They always try to have the passes open by Memorial Day, but this year that might not happen. Still, you are gonna be a couple weeks past that so maybe it will be open. Hope so!