Tioga Pass Ride

Mid to Late May is a special time in the Tioga Pass area for skiers as well as cyclists. The skiers have access to High Sierra chutes and bowls with fine spring skiing, and the cyclists have access to the highest pass in the Sierra without the bother of traffic.

This year the Park Service has been a little tighter and have granted access over the pass to cyclists only on Sundays when they are not working on clearing or maintaining the road.

My wife, Mary, and I joined some of our good friends to enjoy this great opportunity before the planned opening of the pass later this week.

There was still plenty of snow at the pass.The gateway to perfect riding!!
Lembert Dome lies at the end of the long, mostly gradual, descent from the Pass to Tuolumne Meadows.
Mary rode all the way to the Meadows!
Jim T. and B. Cashore soaked in the view at Tenaya Lake.

Jim, Brian & Mr. Hauter heading up to Olmstead Point.
Where we enjoyed distant views of Half Dome and the company of about twenty other riders, many of whom we knew.
Heading back.


I had a little left in the tank so I time trialed up the last mile or two and arrived at the pass winded, but very happy.
The weather was sunny and warm, but not hot, as the snow acted as a giant air cooler keeping temps in the delightful range.

Adding to the enjoyment were the many other cyclists out there living large and smiling wide.

We capped it all off with a nice lunch at the Mobile Mart and headed home content.