Tioga Pass, at 9,943 feet, is the highest highway pass in California and the eastern gate of Yosemite. The entrance station sits just below the top, in a high alpine landscape of granite, scattered pines and small lakes, with the snow-streaked ridges of the Sierra crest rising on every side. Beyond the pass, the road plunges down the eastern escarpment in a series of long, steep descents toward Mono Lake, losing nearly 3,200 feet in 12 miles.
The pass has a history older than the road. Paiute traders crossed here for centuries, and in the 1860s miners staked claims on the eastern slope, finding silver ore at Bennettville, a short way below the top. The Great Sierra Mining Company built a road in 1883 to haul supplies to the mine, and it was a costly failure, since the ore proved poor and the company collapsed. The road, however, remained, and in 1915 it was purchased and given to the federal government, becoming the basis for the modern Tioga Road.
The ride to the pass is magnificent. From Tuolumne Meadows, the road climbs gently through meadows and rock, then passes the Dana Meadows, with views of Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs. The surface is generally good, though frost heaves are common. Just beyond the entrance station, a small resort, the Tioga Pass Resort, serves a famous slice of pie to riders and hikers, and has a few cabins. It opens only in summer, and the dates depend on the snow.
The pass is closed in winter, usually from November to late May or June, when snow can be twenty feet deep. Check the status online, since it varies each year. Lee Vining, about twelve miles down the east side, is the nearest, with several stations and cafes. Fill up there if you are heading west, or at Crane Flat if you come from the other direction.
Be careful of the altitude. Even a few hours at nearly 10,000 feet can cause headaches and tiredness, so drink water and take it easy. Wind and cold are common, and storms can arrive within minutes. Dress in layers and carry rain gear.
On the east side, Ellery Lake and Tioga Lake are small, cold alpine lakes beside the road, with brilliant blue water. They are good places for a break, with picnic tables and views.