Yosemite’s main east-west road to open for the season

Tioga Road, the main east-west roadway to the backcountry in Yosemite National Park, is set to open for the season at noon Wednesday, a national park release says.

That’s good news for visitors and campers planning a Memorial Day getaway at the park.

But officials warn that there may still be snow and ice along the road and in other parts of the park.

Campgrounds and commercial services along the road -- like the store and restaurant at Tuolumne Meadows -- remain shut.

Hikers who want to explore the backcountry are warned that winter conditions may still exist at higher elevations. And you can expect stream crossings to be more difficult than usual.

Last year Tioga Road, also known as California 120, opened May 4. During the drought last year, snowpack at the park was just 7% of normal.

But Yosemite and the Sierra received much more rain this year, with the park showing 89% of snowpack as of April 1.

The road to Glacier Point, another popular tourist destination in the park, opened for the season on April 19.

To find out more about road conditions (late spring storms could shut roads temporarily), go to the park’s Current Conditions page or call (209) 372-0200.

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