las vegas to Yosemite early june 2013

[Midwest Michael]

There really is something to be said about looking at a good map so you can see for yourself what you are looking at. As much as we try to help, a map will always be able to paint a much better picture than words, and it really seems like you are missing that picture.

GLC already mentioned that it would be about 8 hours of driving from Lake Isabella to Yosemite, via Sequoia. Both Oakhurst and Yosemite Bug will put you about an hour from the Yosemite Valley, although coming from different entrances into the park - keeping in mind that you'll get to the start of the National Park about 30 minutes before you are in the Valley itself.

[glc]

It takes about the same amount of time to get from Lake Isabella to the Bug as it would to get to Yosemite. If you want to break this up, there is limited lodging in Sequoia/Kings Canyon and some lodging near the parks.

From Lake Isabella, it's about 3 hours to the south Sequoia/Kings Canyon entrance.

From the north Sequoia/Kings Canyon exit, it's about 3 hours to the Bug.

If you plan on taking 2 days to get from Yosemite to Bryce, your only real lodging choices are in Tonopah, Caliente, Cedar City, and Panguitch.

Cottonwood is easy from either the north or south rim - and I'd recommend it, it's some beautiful country and you would probably enjoy Sedona.

I'm going to echo Michael - you need to get some maps. If you are a AAA member you can get foldup maps for each state free at any office, or what I did was go over to Walmart and get the spiral bound large scale Rand McNally atlas.

If you are a senior (62+) you can get a lifetime National Parks Pass for $10. If you have a permanent disability, you can get a lifetime free pass.

[CAnative]

Re hikes in National Parks -- there are several ways to find information such as starting point, distance, elevation gain or loss, and estimated time. The info is usually presented in the "newspaper" style visitor guide which is freely available in the parks. There is often some info on the park map which is given out at park entrance. The websites also have info and if there isn't a separate section for hikes then look under the current "visitor guide."

Anyone can buy the annual National Parks pass but the lifetime senior and access passes are for US citizens or permanent residents, at least 62 years or age or disabled., respectively.

Per websites, Grand Canyon and Zion entrance fees are $25 (an individual + vehicle) for 7 days. The websites for Death Valley, Yosemite, and Sequoia + Kings Canyon state $20 for a 7 day period.

[brian3222]

M Michael, Yea I plan to get a good road atlas as mentioned, It will come in handy. I am grateful for all you guys information, this will be a great trip!!
Thanks again.
Brian

[brian3222]

GLC , Thanks for all your input, it has helped me plan this , really looking forward to this trip.
Thanks Again!!
Brian

[brian3222]

S. Dave, how is the drive up 155 from Lake Isabela through Sequoia Nat'l forrest.
How is the road, how is the drive?

I am thinking of doing that, then exit out of Sequoia on 190 to Porterville to 65 to 198 onto Three rivers. Staying overnight someplace along the way between Porterville and Three Rivers
(4 hour drive or so?)

Then on next day head into the Generals highway ( 198 to 180), then onto Fresno---Yosemte. ( 4-5 hour drive?)
Thanks
Brian

[Southwest Dave]

155 does not go up into Sequoia NF or to the 190. Do you mean the mountain route I mentioned previously ? If so, it's a slow going mountain road and we enjoyed the scenery and solitude and also drove it in a 30ft RV, so it can't be that bad. Four hours plus any stops wouldn't be far away and the fact that it's going to be 4 hours to cover 140 miles gives you an idea of how slow and twisty it can get, but the road is in good shape all the way. The 155 goes east to west to 65 and is also a fairly slow, but scenic highway. The actual quickest would be 178 to Bakersfield and then up 65.

Three Rivers to Yosemite valley would be more like 5.5 hours via Sequoia, to Yosemite Bug probably in the region of 5 hours. Add time for short stops for a stroll or photo's.

So presumably you are now considering the two overnight stops to do this ?

What I would do now is revisit this thread from the beginning and post your own thoughts of an itinerary from start to finish, to start to bring it all together and then we can [if needed] offer suggestions to 'fine tune' what you have so far.

[brian3222]

Dave, well what I am thinking is:
Day 1: LV, Death Valley -- Lake Isabella--stay over night there.
Day 2: Lake Isabelle to 3 rivers Via: 155 ( Sequoia Nat'l forest, then 190 Portersville, 65, then 198 to 3 rivers, stay overnight someplace close to 3 rivers).
Day 3: 3 rivers to Yosemtie bug resort ( Generals HWY 198 to 180 to Fresno 41 to 49 to 140 to Yosemtie bug, stay there).
Day 4,5,6 stay at Yosemite bug--go to the park these days.
Day 7 Leave Yosemite late morning head to Utah/Bryce Stay overnight enroute
day 8 Complete Journey to Bryce
days 9,10,11--Do Bryce/Zion parks
days 12,13,14 -- Do Grand Canyon
day 15 Head back to Vegas--do Hoover dam
day 16 stay in vegas
day 17 fly home!!

Depending on how things go in Zion/Bryce may adjust things to try to go to Cottonwood?
thanks
Brian

[brian3222]

You are planning almost EXACTLY the same trip as another member (click for thread).

My previous advice for LV to Yosemite is still valid.

1. There really aren't any "cheap" places to stay near major national parks. You would probably have to get a campsite to legally and safely sleep in your car, so you might as well bring basic camping gear.

5. Yosemite to Bryce can be driven in one very long day. It's 530 miles and allow about 12 hours. Take CA-120 back over Tioga Pass and stay on that to US-6. Fill your gas tank in Tonopah, last chance for about 200 miles (if you can't make 200 miles, it's 160 miles to Alamo, which has gas, but a bit out of your way). At Warm Springs, take NV-375 (the ET Highway). Stop at the Lil Ale' Inn in Rachel for some Area 51 kitsch (NO gas available but there are a few rooms in trailers for rent and they have food). When you reach US-93, turn left and go through Caliente. Gas and a few motels available. Turn right on NV-319 which becomes UT-56 to Cedar City, gas and major hotels available. Then take UT-14 to UT-148, go through Cedar Breaks, turn right on UT-173 and take that to Panguitch, gas and motels available. 20 minutes to Bryce. Maybe a bit much for just one day, but you have some enroute options for motels/hotels.

From Bryce, take US-89 south to UT-9 to go into Zion via the east entrance. About an hour and a half.

North or south rim - the north rim is a lot more remote and less crowded. The south rim is where everyone goes.

Zion to north or south rim - 2 choices. Leave Zion via the east entrance, go back to US-89, take that to Kanab, then Alt-89 to Fredonia - OR - take UT-9 west out of Zion to Hurricane, then UT-59/AZ-389 to Fredonia. Alt-89 to AZ-67 for the north rim, or stay on Alt-89 to US-89 to AZ-64 for the south rim.

GLC in this post you said "Then take UT-14 to UT-148, go through Cedar Breaks, turn right on UT-173 and take that to Panguitch, gas and motels available. 20 minutes to Bryce. Maybe a bit much for just one day, but you have some enroute options for motels/hotels."


I don't see UT 173 into Panguitch, I see 143, then 12 into Bryce. Did you mean 143 or am i missing something? How is the road from Cedar banks to Panguitch?
thanks
Brian

[glc]

My mistake - it is 143. I apologize. It's a good road and very scenic. 14 and 173 are open year-round, 148 closes for the winter but it *should* be open by the end of the month. If it's not open, just stay on 14 to US-89 or go north out of Cedar City to Parowan to pick up 143. Check status here.

Scenic Drive (Utah Highway 148): Open from late May until the first heavy snowfall, usually in mid-November

(Please note that season opening and ending dates are weather dependent)