It's a one-way trip to see the Dam and the pedestrian bridge, but it's certainly cool
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Originally Posted by
UKCraig
All accommodation now booked other than day 7 which will depend upon the reopening of the coast road.
So here is the latest map from the PCH -- there are still thousands of tonnes of mountain sitting on the highway in a few places. I can't imagine that they will be able to reopen the road this year.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...PCH-closed.jpg
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Originally Posted by
UKCraig
I suspect it'll still be closed sadly so we will likely try and dip in to the Pinnacles per the itinerary as above (not sure how a drive by visit will work there so open to other suggestions if we do go inland route)
I have only been there twice in 20 years, but brother goes at least once a month-- I will get some suggestions.
Here is a short article I wrote the last time I was there.
This may be too hot for your summer trip. This is what Dan had to say:
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Pinnacles NP is best enjoyed from the west entrance, off Hwy 101 at Soledad. It is a narrow road so plan on taking your time and there have been many washouts in the area. I haven't been to the NP since the atmospheric rivers started. Nice new Visitors Center and good hiking both at the visitor center and further in at the main parking area. Can't really go wrong. There should be plenty of water in the canyons, lots of wildflowers, and the poison oak is leafing out, so be cautious. You can also enter the park from the East side on Hwy 25. It is a very small NP and this time of year should be uncrowded and pleasant. Summer is way too hot and dry. Keep an eye out for California Condors, which can often be spotted.
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Originally Posted by
UKCraig
I particularly like the Starwars Canyon idea but I thought that got shut down after some sort of accident?
Yes, a jet crashed on the ridge and took out some photographers. Here is a video clip from the last time they flew through that I have been able to find.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikdUo2le_I
I have my own story of "playing" with one of those F-15 Eagles--but that's a tale to be shared in person...
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Originally Posted by
UKCraig
One thing to ponder; we are staying just outside the south entrance to Yosemite; should we follow the route via Modesto, Merced and Mariposa or enter into Yosemite via Groveland and exit to the south? I would like in some ways to do the latter but I suspect the traffic possibilities are endless with that? Maybe it is also more dramatic for the first time visitors to allow things to build slowly coming from the south and seeing the various views along the Glacier Point Road before the crescendo in the valley?
I have driven the approach in all of the ways. My recommendation is to approach using either tCA-140 (Mariposa and El Portal) or the road from the south through Wawona.
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Originally Posted by
UKCraig
I am also wondering what the situation is with a quick (?) stop at the Hoover Dam these days? I went there years ago back before the bridge was built but can you still get down there relatively easily? I heard about security checkpoints? I believe there is a viewpoint which allows pedestrian access to the bridge now instead/as well? Is it possible to do both, perhaps?
Yeah, it is easy to do. The checkpoint is no big deal. Here is an article that Megan penned about the opening of the bridge in October 2010. You can see some of the photos taken from the pedestrian bridge. David Gomm has some awesome photos from there. I will look for them.
It's a one-way trip to see the Dam and the pedestrian bridge, but it's certainly cool.
Mark
Use the RTA Maps (Search Tools) for your Pinnacles NP part of the Route
Craig,
Another tool that you might find interesting would be the RTA Library Maps tool.
Go to the Advanced Maps page
and use the "Search for RTA Library Maps within" (200 miles) and click on the center of Pinnacles Park to see some of the possible routes.
Or you could just use the "Search for places within" (100 miles) and also click on the center of Pinnacles Park to see some of the possible attractions that we have written about.
The Bear Creek Driving road is on the way to Yosemite
And your kids might enjoy The Cowboy Museum in Oakdale Another really cool place is Railtown
Mark
