Must cross Yosemite NP to Convict Lake?

Yes you must pay the Yosemite fee to drive thru the park on 120. The pass will be closed soon until late spring. It is not plowed in the winter. 88 is the most southern pass open in the winter. To avoid the fee you would need to use a more northern pass. Both 4 and 108 are steep and narrow.

Crossing the Sierras is not that easy, especially late in the fall. I don't like 120 much over Tioga because it is built to NPS standards. It is full of curves and very narrow. I agree about 4 and 108 having similar challenges. Route 88 is my favorite for towing a trailer. Route 50 is pretty good and so is I-80 but those are pretty far north for you. People look at maps all the time underestimate the difficult of certain routes. The Sierra is a giant fault block thrown to the west. The east side is steep and windy now matter where you cross it.

If you or your wife are old enough, Joe, get a federal senior pass. 62 and older. NO entry fees.

Yep, drive thru a NP and pay the fee. Got me as I was driving from I-15 to Page AZ thru Zion years ago. $20 please, he says (I think at the time). I am not stopping, just going to Page, I say. $20 please, or you can turn around and go another way. Shelled out $20.

Good morning...I’d call YNP and ask if it is required to pay the fee if you are Only Transiting the park and Not Stopping! I know that in Death Valley you don’t have to pay if Only Transiting!!!!!

We did not have to pay a fee to transit Yellowstone. Can't say about Yosemite. I would call directly and ask. Chuck

To the OP - I don't know how old you are, but if you have a Senior National Park Pass - that would get you through the park at no extra fee.

Don’t have to pay for entry if you go through early or late. Usually before 6:00am and after 6:00pm nobody is working the booth... but you didn’t hear that from me! :)

Just buy the annual pass already. National parks need the money.

It certainly looks like that is the best way to go. If the weather is bad, I'd just take Tehachapi pass. Long way out of the way, but 395 has some awesome places to visit.