High Sierra passes reopen

Sonora and Ebbetts passes were both reopened Monday afternoon by Caltrans after being closed since Oct. 17 for a record-setting storm.

Caltrans District 10 announced in a news release that Sonora Pass on Highway 108 was reopened at 1 p.m. Monday and Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 was reopened at 3 p.m. Monday.

Both passes were closed on Oct. 17 in anticipation of a major storm system that brought nearly 3 feet of snow to Sonora Pass at 9,624 feet and Ebbetts Pass at 8,730 feet.

Crews have since removed snow, ice, fallen trees and other debris ahead of reopening the passes so the roads are safe for motorists.

Caltrans asked drivers to remain alert for the safety of workers and other motorists on the passes.

The passes are closed for the winter season each year, typically sometime in November.

Sonora Pass closed for the season last year on Nov. 5 and reopened on May 6, while Ebbetts Pass closed Nov. 5 and reopened May 16. The latest either have closed for the season in the past 15 years was in 2012, when Sonora Pass was closed Dec. 19 and Ebbetts on Dec. 17.

Tioga Pass on Highway 120 in Yosemite National Park, where it’s known as Tioga Road, remained temporarily closed due to snow as of Monday afternoon.

The National Park Service announced last week that Glacier Point Road in Yosemite would reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday after being temporarily closed for last month’s storm at the same time as Tioga Pass.