I'm planning a road trip from San Francisco to Vegas and then around the canyons in late April early May. One bit of the route I cant decide on is Yosemite to Death Valley. As far as I can tell the Tioga Pass and all other roads across the Sierras will still be shut in late April so you have to go via Bakersfield and on to Death Valley from there.
One alternative (and I know this might add a few hours) is to go up to Lake Tahoe via the 50, stay there for a night and drive down the 395 to Death Valley. The reason I thought of this is that the 395 down the east of the Sierras is supposed to be great, while the drive through Bakersfield isnt as scenic, or am i going out of the way for nothing? Any tips would be a real help.
thanks