Sonora Pass Is Open for the Season Ahead of Schedule

If you have been waiting to get over the Sierra, Sonora Pass is opening ahead of schedule.

Caltrans announced that State Route 108 over Sonora Pass reopened on Thursday, April 30 at 10 a.m. That was well ahead of the agency’s typical goal of clearing the pass before Memorial Day weekend, giving drivers and recreationists an early start to the summer season.

Sonora Pass sits at 9,624 feet and is the second highest point on the state highway system maintained by Caltrans. The road was closed for the winter on December 26, 2025, at the Sno-Park on State Route 108 near Strawberry.

Crews from Caltrans’ District 10 Long Barn Maintenance team began snow removal operations in late March, working roughly 28 miles from the Sno-Park to the summit. The job involved clearing snow, ice, downed trees and debris from the roadway, and the crew finished ahead of their annual target.

The pass connects the Central Valley to the Eastern Sierra and is a popular route for anglers, campers and hikers heading toward destinations like Kennedy Meadows, Leavitt Meadows and the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses Highway 108 near the summit.

Drivers should know that while the road is open, conditions at elevation can still be unpredictable this time of year. Caltrans is urging motorists to watch for icy surfaces, especially overnight and in the early morning hours. For real-time road conditions, check QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Caltrans Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-7623.

Tioga Pass in Yosemite has not yet announced an opening date.