Death Valley to Yosemite

Hi there
I'm from the UK and planning a trip to the US next month which includes driving from Las Vegas, through Death Valley, to Yosemite, Monterrey and finishing up in San Fransisco.

Studying the route, the most straightforward way from Death Valley seemed to be heading up to the east side of Yosemite, crossing over Tioga Pass and into Yosemite.

We now think that the pass may not be open for our trip due to the snow still up there (we would be doing this part of the journey June 25) and think we might have to go via Bakersfield etc.

However, and this is my real question, if the pass is open, what is it like to drive? After much research, opinions seem to be conflicting. Some say it is no problem and fairly straightforward, others say it's terrifying!!

Driving from east to west, will we be hugging the edge of a sheer drop or hugging the side of a mountain?

Any replies are much appreciated - thanks.

You will not have a problem either way you go. Yesterday and today Yosemite Valley was closed due to flooding. Snow could be a problem over Tioga that
road is still closed and still maybe when you want to go thru. Good luck you will love yosemite.

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We now think that the pass may not be open for our trip due to the snow still up there (we would be doing this part of the journey June 25) and think we might have to go via Bakersfield etc. However, and this is my real question, if the pass is open, what is it like to drive? After much research, opinions seem to be conflicting. Some say it is no problem and fairly straightforward, others say its terrifying!!

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If the pass is open, and there is a good chance it will be on the 25th of June, by all means take it. Yes, you will be driving on a mountain road, but it is very well maintained. Yes, there are places with steep sections, but there are guardrails and it is all paved and safe. Thousands of visitors drive it every day in the summer months.

Mark

Thankyou - fingers crossed the snow will be cleared then!!

Heather, we're also from the UK and did that trip (though in the reverse direction) in July 2003. Tioga Road is wonderful and not to be missed. If you're staying in Yosemite and can afford it, try the Ahwanee Hotel (not sure I've got the spelling right).

Have a good trip.

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If you're staying in Yosemite and can afford it, try the Ahwanee Hotel
Have a good trip.

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Even if it is full, be sure to stop in and have tea or a meal at this famous hotel!

For up to date info on the road situation in Yosemite try this link
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/list.php?f=1

Tmcca,

Wow, this is an awesome resource that I was unaware of. I read all of the daily posts about the plowing efforts. Thanks for the information.

Current views of Half Dome -- show just how much snow is still in the Valley

Thanks!

Mark

Mark
We live in the sierra's very close to yosemite. This is a link to my new Blog http://sierracamping.blogspot.com/
Ted

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Driving from east to west, will we be hugging the edge of a sheer drop or hugging the side of a mountain?

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Driving east to west you hug the side of the mountain going up where you can see the drops. We do this drive in our 24 foot motorhome all the time and both directions.

If the pass is open, I highly recommend taking this route. It's probably a good bet that the pass will be open by late June.

Utahtea

Hi heather96,

How was your trip?

We're planning to do exactly the same basically! Las vegas - Death Valley - Yosemite - Monterey - San Francisco. in 11 days with basically a two nights stops in most places and fitting in the Big Sur drive and a trip to the Grand Canyon too.

We're coming over from the UK and doing this in the easter break begining of April.

So I wanted to ask how it went, did it all fit in or what you enjoyed, and would recommend and if you had any tips I guess!

Kind regards
SsamiraA