Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia Natl Park Info Needed

[Gary]

Looking for some suggested must ride's, must see's, must do's, must eat joints around that area.

I haven't traveled out that way for many, many years and back then (late teen's early 20's) it was via thumb  I think Sequoia was from the backseat of the folks car as a youngster early 60's.

My son Nick and I will be heading due west from northern New Mex to Mammoth Lakes, CA. My sister had a vacation home built in Mammoth Lakes last year which we'll use as a ground zero.

Figured we'd hit the above 3 places over a several day period. May or may not do some camping since the house should make for a good day's end for the most part.

Suggestions as always much appreciated.

[Oss]

A few years back I drove a rented Impala from Tahoe southeast 88/89 to the road that goes south to the east entrance of Yosemite That entrance road is 120   It is without a doubt one of the half dozen greatest awesome roads I have ever had the pleasure of driving.   In fact 88/89 woudl have also made my top 20    Hiking in the national park around Tahoe is also lots of good exercise but you are between 8-9000 feet elevation drink lots of fluids

Do not miss the chance to take this road both directions

It was a 12 hr day down and back to Tahoe at 70-80mph  On 120 you will be going at or below the speed limit as you wont be able to keep your eyes off the humongous drop offs and guard rails are not in all places   If you can rent a campsite in Yosemite that would be a great way to see the park at a relaxed walking pace as traffic is heavy all times

Was at Sequoia as a teenager  Lots of Big trees but you can also see them at Muir woods just west of SF
. For my money the road from Sausalito to Muir Woods  with the entrance exit to the woods also being in my top half dozen roads. Much more challenging than the snake with turns coming quicker than the Gap and as a plus you are climbing a real nice grade. Try to rent a motorcycle for the day if you can you will never regret it

If smokinjoe ever were to ride those roads on halfbreed we might never see him again, he would be living the good life out there in the woods around Tahoe

Just my 2 cents

[LandElephant]

Don't know how much time you have but two excellent road to take would be CA 108 or Hwy 4 out of Sonora.  It makes a nice loop if you add going to South Lake Tahoe.  Traveling West to East on 108 you have a nice climb to around 9500 feet elevation and then an outstanding drop (very technical) to Hwy 395.

Keep in mind the following during the summer.  Weekends around the national parks can get brutal with traffic.  Best times for Yosemite is during the week or if on the weekends two weeks befor July 4th or after Labor Day.  Early in the summer gives you betterwater flow over the numerous waterfalls. Caltrans tries to get Tioga Pass open by Memorial Day, but if they had a lot of snow who knows.

Don't be a rush at Yosemite.  The scenery is gorgous and do some research there is a lot of activities outside the park.  Everytime I go ther I split the park in two.  One day for Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, and maybe the Yosemite Valley.  Second day I do the northern side through Tioga Pass, Maybe Mono Lake, and then either hwy 108 or hwy 4 back over to the west side of the Sierras.  I try to stay on Maripoa if you are looking for lodging.

Hope that helps.


Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[Brad]

If you do go to Tahoe ride the loop around the whole lake...stopping as needed to take in the view.  Emerald Bay is a must see but the whole route is beautiful.  A nice side trip from the lake would be down Highway 431 (Mt Rose Highway) from Incline Village to to Highway 395.  After crossing 395 it becomes Highway 341 (Geiger Grade) up the next mountian range to Virginia City, passing through Virginia City back down the mountian to Highway 50.  Take highway 50 back up the mountian to South Lake Tahoe and continue around the lake.  You can run this route in reverse just as well.