Tomm Willians

It’s my understanding from watching a couple of videos that the announcement concerning the dates for this comes without much warning. I’ve searched around Google for exactly where I would find the announcement but have come up blank.
Does anyone know exactly how I can find this info as soon as they post it?

terrymorse 

I haven't heard of a Yosemite Bikes Only Day.

Are you thinking of Tioga Pass Road (Highway 120), which is closed in Winter until all the snow is removed?

With the snowpack this year, it probably won't open to vehicles until early July.

You can cycle Tioga Pass Rd. when it's closed at your own risk, but it's not good weekdays when the snow removal crews are working. Weekends in June are ideal times. Sections of the road will be covered in snow, but they are passable on foot if you're cautious. Wet snow avalanches are a possibility, especially later in the day.

tFUnK

They announce the Tioga Pass bike day the week of, not really giving me enough time to plan a visit. Just Google Tioga Pass opening. I'm not sure if there's a way to receive alerts.

CAT7RDR

May in most years but this has been a doozy of a winter.
THe entire Eastern Sierra should make for some epic Spring and Summer rides with the record snowpack.

Wildwood

I once rode from Mono Lake into Yosemite. The elevation had me stopping every 1/4 mile to gasp for air and let the heart rate drop. The pass is about 10,000' if I remember correctly. I train at sea level.

terrymorse 

Yes, Tioga Pass is just a bit shy of 10,000 feet. Many years ago, I rode with two buddies from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass Resort, and stayed there for two nights. TPR is a great base camp, if they ever open up again.

The first morning, the buddies got up before dawn to climb Mt. Dana. I rode down to Lee Vining for a hearty breakfast at Nicely's Diner, then rode back up. The buddies stumbled back to the cabin, exhausted, and asked me to go back down to Lee Vining to buy sandwiches. So I did. I was younger then.

Wildwood

Mt Dana isn't such an epic hike, but 10k up to 13k elevation made it slow (& tough) for me and my fiancé. Great views that day.

VegasTriker

You can ride a bike around the lower valley at any time. You don't need to wait for a bikes only day. You will not have a lot of conflict with vehicles as I remember from doing it about 15 years ago. The upper part of the park was definitely not bike friendly. There were no bike paths there so you are competing with RVs and similar vehicles on a narrow road. I'm not shy riding roads but we decided to instead go to the lower valley and ride there. It's not a long ride though - 12 miles total. About 15 years ago I went there in mid-July and they had just opened Tioga Pass about a week earlier. There was lots of snow at the edges of the road. Who knows when it will open this year as there is a record amount of snow.

indyfabz

A few years ago in Glacier. 13 cyclists were stranded above the slide for hours until a path could be plowed. Their mistake was being up there late in the day.

terrymorse 

Yeah, there’s a spot like that on Tioga Pass Rd., as you’re climbing out of Tuolumne Meadows. There’s a big scary sign that reads “avalanche danger, no bikes”. As if.

There’s another similar avalanche spot on the downhill towards Lee Vining. But that’s usually clear by the time they open that section of road.

urbanknight

Biker395 knows details very well and took me along once. It was indeed short notice but well worth it.

diphthong

9,941 so pretty close. funny how once past the big turnout looking back down towards mono lake/lee vining, it got slightly easier. epic climb that is a must-do. prob better to try and hit it this year in september after labor day and before october arrives.

terrymorse 

Another tip: There's a predictable wind that blows from the pass down to Lee Vining in the afternoon, so it's an easier climb in the morning.

One more: It's a ripping fast descent to Lee Vining, but watch for rocks on the road.

Stats: 12 miles, 3200'

diphthong

it would seem so.

definitely a ripping descent with potential rocks in the road in the saddlebag lake turnoff area.

jnbrown

Did it one year along time ago. We were staying in Mammoth Lakes and I don't remember how we find out but drove to the Tioga Pass entrance and rode to Tenaya Lake and back.
The road was plowed but lots of snow everywhere else and closed to traffic.
It was really spectacular.

terrymorse 

I found some photos from my June, 2003 trip to Tioga Pass.

2003 was a low snow year. This year will have much more snow.

madscycles

But how 'bout them mango margs and bison burgers at mono mart post-tioga climb grind?