Deep snow delays opening of Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass

The winter of 2016/17 continues to leave records behind. It is the first time first time in at least the last ten years Sonora Pass (SR-108) will not be open by the Memorial Day weekend. For the second time in the same period, Ebbetts Pass (SR-4) is not opening before a weekend that usually brings many people into the higher elevations.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) made the announcement today. Their crews began working seven-days-a-week on these two passes in April and they expect it to be another three to five weeks until cars 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. 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).