CA Highway 120 over Tioga Pass is open as of today, May 15, 2026. It had been closed for winter since November 12, 2025.
Tioga Pass is the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada range, at 9,943 feet (3,031 meters) above sea level. It is usually the last past to open up after seasonal winter closures.
Ebbetts Pass is Open
Ebbetts Pass, on Highway 4, opened today, May 6, 2026. It had been closed for the winter since December 26, 2025.
Ebbetts Pass is a fantastic road, especially if you are on a motorcycle. It’s technically challenging, with tight, steep switchbacks. Some of the grades are greater than 23 percent.
The scenery is beautiful, traffic is generally fairly light, and the riding is some of the best in the Sierra. Be aware that in some places the road is less than two lanes wide. It is common to meet oncoming traffic taking up more than half of the road. Or needing to wait a while before you can safely pass a slow-moving vehicle.
Sonora Pass is Open
Sonora Pass, on Highway 108, opened today, April 30, 2026. It had been closed for the winter since December 26, 2025.
This is our favorite pass over the Sierra Nevada. We’re looking forward to riding it soon. Expect wet and sloppy conditions in lots of places until the last of the snow melts.
Conditions should improve rapidly as the weather continues to warm up and the remaining snow disappears.
Monitor Pass is Open
Highway 89 over Monitor Pass opened today, March 5, 2026 after being closed for the winter since December 26, 2025.
Remember that this pass often gets closed and reopened with late-season winter storms.
How to Get Over the Sierra Without Going Through Yosemite
Yosemite National Park has implemented a reservation system for day use. The restriction is in place between 6 am and 4 pm, until September 30. If you don’t already have a reservation, you won’t be allowed into the park. You can’t just arrive at the gate and drive through the park, over Tioga Pass.
There are lots of other roads that will get you from one side of the Sierra to the other. All are open for the summer, though some may have temporary closures or restrictions, mostly due to road construction.
Is it Donner Pass or Donner Summit? I’m Confused
If you are confused about Donner Pass and Donner Summit, you are not alone. Folks have been having difficulties here for a very long time.
Interstate 80 crosses the Sierra Nevada range about 9 miles west of Truckee, California. On USGS topo maps the gap in the mountains is called Euer Saddle. Most folks call it Donner Pass. Caltrans calls it Donner Summit.
Donner Pass is on Donner Pass Road, about two miles south of the Donner Summit highway rest area on I-80. Donner Pass Road crosses a beautiful concrete arch bridge just east of the summit. The bridge is officially named the Donner Memorial Bridge but is most commonly called the Rainbow Bridge.