Where Do You Go When A Pass Closes?

Color spotter Darrell Sano attempted a trip to the Eastern Sierra on Friday. He’d planned to drive across Tioga or Sonora Pass, but the passes had closed due to an early snowfall. So where did Darrell head to find fall color? Straight to Yosemite National Park.

At this time of autumn, early storms will close passes across the Sierra intermittently. If the snowfall is light, affected passes will reopen soon after snow has melted off the pavement. However, once “environmental conditions” preclude continued safe operation of vehicles across the mountain passes (Monitor, Sonora, Tioga), they will close for the winter, or until clear of snow and ice.

Prevented from crossing the Sierra, Sano detoured to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. He wrote he’d forgotten “how colorful Yosemite is. At 4000’ elevation the valley floor, as well as Big Oak Flat Road, are at peak.

Some trees have lost leaves, perhaps by rain, but there was ample color along Big Oak Flat, Southside Drive, and Glacier Point Road. Even the mid-day light at noon had a special autumn glow, a clarity, and intensity that brings out every detail and texture.

“Along Glacier Point Road, I could detect smoke, and later see smoldering tree trunks blackened by fire. There was snow on the ground, and splashes of fall color among it! The evening sunset behind the fall color illuminated leaves even further. A wonderful day!”

Some photographers believe conditions have to be perfect for the best photographs, but often the opposite is true. A wisp of smoke in the air, a blackened forest made vibrant by drips of fall color within it… all these can make for memorable photographs and experiences.

So, don’t let the closing of a pass, past peak conditions at an area you’d planned to visit or other changes to your plans keep you from exploring. There’s just too much beauty out there to miss, just because a pass closes.

Yosemite Valley (4,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Glacier Point Road (7,214′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!