Yes, we know the park’s open year round (barring wildfire/blizzard/government-shutdown closures, of course). Still, spring hasn’t really sprung for us till two things happen: the cables go up on Half Dome, and Tioga Road opens to cars. Well, this past Saturday the cables were in place, three weeks earlier than anticipated. Which means you’ve got a much better shot at getting a permit in the two-day-in-advance lottery. Check here for more info.
And as of Monday, Tiogo Road reopened at 8 a.m. to all vehicles. They’re still doing beginning-of-the-season roadwork, though, so be careful out there. Also, none of the campgrounds are open yet, nor are the Tuolumne Meadows area gas station, store, and snack bar, and the Park Service hasn’t announced when they will open—better not count on stopping there to resupply if you’re driving through.
[Update, May 7: What do you know, it’s snowing today up on Tioga Road, which is now closed again due to weather. We’d be sorry, except…snowpack! At least a little bit more than we had…]