Officials announced this week that Yosemite National Park’s east gate will reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend.
The Tioga Road, a beloved picturesque segment of Highway 120, has remained closed because of ice and snow since November. According to reports, it will open for all vehicles at 8 a.m. on Monday.
National Park Service
.
Each year, usually from November until late May or sometimes early June, this route is shut down because of harsh winter weather, whereas all other park entries stay accessible throughout the entire year. This 45-mile shutdown stretches from the eastern part near Crane Flat’s Tuolumne Grove up to the Tioga Pass Entrance Station.
Getting the route ready for reopening involves tackling numerous avalanche-prone areas, removing fallen trees and rocks, and making sure campgrounds and essential amenities are prepared for tourists, as stated by the park service.
The reopening scheduled for this year on May 26 is roughly two weeks sooner compared to last year’s date and approximately one month earlier than the year before.
park data
show.
Moreover, the park service has decided against granting early access to Tioga Road for cyclists this year, unlike in previous years when they did so. This decision disappointed some of the cyclists.
“It’s absurd that they aren’t allotting two days for cyclists on roads free of cars this year,” a Reddit user commented.
Yosemite forum
, mentioning that they intended to draft a letter to both the park service and their local representative regarding this decision.
“Days exclusively for cyclists ought to be embraced as a customary celebration rather than being treated as secondary to prioritizing drivers,” someone else commented.
However, authorities are preparing for an active season. Guests planning to visit Yosemite from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. during this upcoming holiday weekend should be aware.
need a reservation
And they should be ready for lengthy waiting periods, says the park service. Visitors intending to visit from June 15 through August 15 or over Labor Day weekend might also require a reservation.
The park service advises drivers on Tioga Road to anticipate restricted amenities along the route, ensuring they carry sufficient supplies of food and water. Additionally, travelers should make use of food storage facilities when away from their vehicles.
Yosemite might also experience staff shortages this year because of
Cuts within the National Park Service
And other government organizations, as stated by the Yosemite Conservancy, a nonprofit aimed at conserving the park.
“The National Park Service (NPS) is expected to face staffing shortages at Yosemite National Park this coming summer,” the organization stated.
wrote on its website
Last year, the NPS was already functioning with a 30% shortage of staff members. This means further reductions in personnel and budget will only exacerbate this shortfall.
Park authorities ask guests to show patience and politeness when interacting with personnel operating at entry points and across the park, stating, “these employees are present to assist and guarantee a secure, hospitable environment for everyone.”
“We’re excited to invite everybody during Memorial Day Weekend as we pay tribute to the nation’s fallen servicemen and women,” stated Ray McPadden, Yosemite’s interim superintendent. “Our park staff has put in tremendous effort to ensure all areas of the park can be reopened safely. We hope for an enjoyable and secure holiday weekend for our visitors.”
This tale initially surfaced in
Los Angeles Times
.
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