Deep snow delays opening of Ebbetts and Sonora passes for Memorial Day weekend
The winter of 2016-17 continues to impact some Sierra bound travelers as highway plow crews battle several feet of deep snow over mountain passes. This is first time in a decade that State Route 108 over Sonora Pass wan unable to open in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
Also, for the second time in 10 years, Caltrans was unable to open State Route 4 over Ebbetts Pass for the holiday weekend.
The California Department of Transportation made the announcement late last week, noting that while plowing efforts are full force, with crews working seven-days-a-week, it still may be another three to five weeks until vehicles will be able to use the passes.
Yosemite National Park continues to work on clearing Tioga Pass/SR-120 inside the park. Tioga is still being cleared and the park service does not have an estimate for opening.
Caltrans was able to open Monitor Pass/SR-89 on May 8.
Currently, eastbound travelers on Ebbetts Pass can go to the east end of Lake Alpine, while eastbound travelers on Sonora Pass can go as far as Kennedy Meadows.
Maintenance crews from Caltrans have encountered snow drifts up to 40 feet high, some the result of winter avalanches that sent hillsides of snow, boulders and trees spilling onto the highways.
Even during years of light snow, Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass are challenging when it comes to clearing, repairing and opening the roads, according to Caltrans. Ebbetts has grades in excess of 23 percent and Sonora has grades that top 20 percent, far beyond typical highway grades of 6 percent.
The steep grades, high elevation and narrow lanes on these highways are unable to accommodate snow removal equipment and vehicular traffic at the same time.
Opening the passes involves more than merely clearing snow from the highway. Trees, shrubs, rocks and other debris that accumulate over winter are removed, while Caltrans inspects the road and makes repairs before it is deemed safe and opened for travel.
For the latest in highway information please call our Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
See SouthTahoeNow.com for updates to this and other stories.