It opened up all the way through, this afternoon!

A complete surprise to many of us.

N'joy!

That's great

Hmm .. another temporary setback -

SR 120
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 5 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/
(TUOLUMNE, MONO CO) - DUE TO ROCK SLIDES - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN
ALTERNATE ROUTE

[YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK]
FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200

Looks like they've cleared it. Sonora Pass over 108 seems to have reopened too -

108
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
IS REOPENED FROM 26.4 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) TO 3.5 MI WEST OF
THE JCT OF US 395 /SONORA PASS/ AT 1128 HRS ON 10/16/09

Looks like they shut it back down today. Bummer but it was good while it lasted.

Beautiful weather up there the last three days. Went for a hike on Friday -- still lots of snow above about 9500'.





I would imagine a lot melted over the weekend, though perhaps not on shady or northern aspects.



Got up Saddlebag Lake Road to the first overlook in my subaru and took a look at the Dana Couloir with binoculars. Unfortunately, I think ice season for these lower-angled gullies is pretty much done for the year .. it looked white, smooth, and probably skiable Maybe it was just my imagination, but I thought I could even see a cornice at the top ..



So instead we climbed on Stately Pleasure Dome and the Bunny Slopes all weekend, which was nice and warm in the sun. With the southern exposure the temps on the rock had to be in the high 60's - 70F.



Sounds like it's gonna get cold again this week though ..

Hey Rob....

Did ya get a look into the NP Couloirs?

How much snow was on the approach to the base of NP???

Sorry Rick, I didn't ... after seeing the Dana Couloir I figured the only people going up there would be skiers

Rob,

Thanks for posting some cool photos