NPS snow plowing progress for May 3rd, 2005 for the Tioga, Glacier Point, and Badger Pass roads.
Tioga Road
Starting location: 10.6 miles from Crane Flat Gate
Ending Location: 11.9 miles from Crane Flat Gate
Distance plowed today: 1.3 miles
Snow depth: 12 feetGlacier Point Road
Update for May 2
Starting Location: 2.5 miles from Badger
Ending Location: 2.7 miles from Badger
Distance plowed: .2 miles
Snow depth: 5 feetBadger Pass
No progress today due to major equipment problems.
There are a lot of factors that affect plowing of the Tioga and Glacier Point road. Many of those involve the safety and well being of the workers. Some of the factors include:
- Avalanche zones (26 potential areas). The Olmsted Point avalanche zone requires a lot of work, including application of charcoal over the snow to help with melting and blasting the snow slab to make it safer for personnel.
- Heavy snow pack slows the whole operation.
- Trees that have fallen across the road and been buried in the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations until they’re cleared.
- Rock slides buried by the snow. These can cause substantial damage to the equipment and result in a stop to all operations.
- Snow storms during the opening require a stop to Tioga Road operations and in order to plow and sand the park roads.
- Road repairs and ditching and brushing operations once snow has melted back enough.
Remember, always keep a watchful eye for snow removal equipment and road crews when visiting the park during the spring months.