99 vs. 395 to Yosemite

lanerd wrote:
We have done the Tioga pass (hwy 120) several times in our previous 36' DP with toad and never had a problem. As mentioned, Hwy 395 going up Owen's Valley and the eastern side of the Sierras is absolutely spectacular. The mountains are unmatched in North America with the exception of the Canadian Rockies. Lone Pine was home to hundreds of movies, mostly old westerns and has a great museums to visit. Lone Pine also is home to the Japanese WWII internment camp Manzanar, and is worth while to visit. Not to mention viewing the highest mountain in the lower 48...Mt. Whitney. Nice rv park there in Lone Pine also.

Further north the view of the Sierras continue clear to Lee Vining where you will turn off on Hwy 120. Right at that junction is a gas station than inside has some of the best food you'll ever taste at the Whoa Nellie Deli.

The road over Tioga Pass is a good one, albeit with some curves and down grades, but completely doable if you take it slow and easy. Pullouts are available for stops to sight see and/or let others pass you.

Getting to Bakersfield (where you connect to 99) is uneventful. Hwy 58 is a main trucking route to the San Joaquin Valley...very busy. Hwy 99 is also a very high volumn highway and not in the best of shape. Last time I was on Hwy 99 I said I'd never go that way again.

Take 395...you won't regret it.

Ron

x2!!! At the turn off from 395 to Tioga make sure to stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli! It is inside building connected with Mobil gas station (On your left as you start up Tioga) Anyone who has ever eaten there will tell you it's an absolute must! The food is INCREDIBLE and clothing casual.....it's a deli but unlike any deli we've ever frequented. No matter what you order-make sure to get an order of their fries.