Epic Tioga Pass Ride

Tioga Road curves it's way through the high sierra and right through Yosemite NP. every map shows it's seasonal, ie. closed in the winter. Not in 2011/12! While typically snowfall forces the park service to close the road as early as October 17th (2004) and so far as late as December 11th (1995, http://goo.gl/MUux), this year it is still open as of January 16th (with the first snow anticipated for the 18th). Weather guru Matt decided that this would be an opportune time to claim the 'latest ever Tioga pass climb' on a bike. So Matt, Mitch and I packed our bikes on the 15th and left Berkley at 5.45AM (Matt slept in!).

Here is the route we took:

While driving up, the temperature dropped as expected and leaving the car for a first downhill was a bit chilly. But at the first rest we were quite pleased with the day:

Next came the climb up to the pass and down the other side, boy was it windy and chilly up at almost 10.000 feet ;-). Comment from the ranger: 'A bit frosty for a bike ride'

After the 8mile downhill I was frozen rock solid and hated Matt ...

... but riding along frozen lake Tenaya with several people ice skating and the vistas we got back at the parking lot, I did no longer feel the pain and was super happy to joined that crazy adventure.

Here is the post ride interview:

Thanks Matt and Mitch for one amazing day. In the interest of the health of the planet I sure hope this won't be repeatable. Let it snow and act on global warming.