yosemite to lake havasu city

In 2012 we left Yosemite via the Tioga Pass Road and headed south on US 395. Headed toward Las Vegas, our GPS suggested we head east on CA-168 from Big Pine to Oasis. It was a beautiful, scenic road that passes near the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and it seemed we had the road to ourselves. Thank goodness for that, because as we ascended through a canyon that got narrower and narrower, the highway becomes a one-lane road for probably a few hundred feet or so. That definitely caught us by surprise, but it wasn't as surprising as finding out at the Nevada border that the road was closed 40 miles beyond that point due to flooding, and we had to reroute all the way up to US 6! It was frustrating at the time, but made for a story that I find myself typing for people I don't really know three years later.

Glad we'll have electric, I thought 102 here was hot. :E ;)

The posted average August temperatures for Lake Havasu are 108 high and 84 low. But like Fulltimers said, it's monsoon time so many localized thunder storms.

There really is no normal. In August it can be anywhere from 100 to 125. Also August is monsoon season so you can expect thunderstorms and humidity.

dkreuzen wrote:
Best route for you is south to Bakersfield, CA58 to Barstow, I-40 to the the AZ95 turn off into Havasu.
Be advised that it is getting hot here, 113 today to 115 Thursday with mid 80's for lows.

Not to highjack the thread, but whats the normal average temp in August?

Best route for you is south to Bakersfield, CA58 to Barstow, I-40 to the the AZ95 turn off into Havasu.
Be advised that it is getting hot here, 113 today to 115 Thursday with mid 80's for lows.

I would not recommend highway 120 to anyone who is not happy driving in the mountains. The pass is at 9,600' elevation, and it decends into highway 395 over about 10 miles, to about 3,000' elevation. So it is both steep and long. Also getting from Yosemite Valley to Tioga Pass is a twisty and turny road, up a steep hill, with plenty of 35 MPH curves. I found it tiring in my Honda CRV, and was not about to take my 30' Bounder into the valley. I camped at Tioga Pass Campground, and left out on highway 120 towards 395, the way we came in. Yes it is steep, and we did not tow down toward Highway 395. I got to drive the car, and DW drove the RV.

I would recommend staying in Coarsegold and then take highway 41 toward Fresno, and then on to Bakersfield, Barsto and then 40 to 95, and south to Lake Havasu.

As you enter Yosemite on highway 41, turn right at the entrance station, and go visit the Grizzley Giant tree, it is 33' diameter! The parking lot is only about 2 miles away, and the tree is a mile walk from there.

Have fun!

Fred.

Ed_Gee wrote:

normlobo wrote:
44 foot 5th wheel. go through CA or Vegas? Thoughts? We like good scenery, but not white knuckle passes. Thanks in advance.

.??? Since Yosemite IS in California, how can you not go through California?

sorry, should we go through bakersfield or vegas?

normlobo wrote:
44 foot 5th wheel. go through CA or Vegas? Thoughts? We like good scenery, but not white knuckle passes. Thanks in advance.

.??? Since Yosemite IS in California, how can you not go through California?