Bypassing Tioga Pass in late May/early June

[emmag_kelly]

My husband and I are planning on biking the Sierra Cascades route around May 19th, starting from ~Sequoia National Park and ending up in Seattle. However, with the unusual amount of snowpack that Tioga pass has accumulated this year (current totals are at 159%), I'm not optimistic that the pass will be open any time around when we'll be passing through Yosemite. I have never been to Yosemite, and so we absolutely don't want to miss it, so does anyone have any recommendations for getting from Yosemite to Tahoe?

I'm looking on Google Maps and the recommended route goes from HWY 120 to HWY 88.  I have never so much as driven through that section of California, and so I have no idea if this route is viable for touring with campsites, services, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[aggie]

Unfortunately with the heavy snow pack your options are pretty limited.  Your options appear to be to take hwy 49 to either hwy 88 or hwy 50.  I driven hwy 50 in the past and it would be doable although it can have pretty high traffic.  Never been on 88.

[jamawani]

I had hoped to include Tioga Pass in late May on my trip.
I have tried to do Tioga six times over the past 20 years.
And I've only been 50/50 in getting thru.

Tioga Pass will definitely remain closed well into June - probably late June.
But Caltrans does work hard to get other passes open by Memorial Day.
I think this year it will be the first week of June at the earliest.
Carson Pass on Hwy 88 is you best bet before June. (Open all year)
I would avoid US 50 because there is heavy traffic and some narrow sections.

Another thing - -
All that snow has to melt and it may melt pretty darn quickly.
That means flooding - road closures - many campgrounds flooded.

You would do much better to ride the eastern side of the Sierras.
US 395 is the main road, but there are many other options.

<<<>>>

BTW - It is still snowing in the northern Sierras north of Tahoe.
Even though elevations are lower, many routes will remain closed into June.
Don't even think about getting thru Lassen N.P. 20 feet of snow.

And after a dry winter, it's snowing like crazy in the Cascades, too.
Sorry if I am a bearer of bad newz.

Best - J

Pic - Sonora Pass, Memorial Day, Average snow year