Yosomite Tuolumne campground to Zion NP
Looking for recomaditions on routes from Tuolmne campground in Yosomite to Zion NP. Planing our trip for next year. We would like to make it in one day but we do not like to push it in highways or tw...
Forum Discussion
All decent advice so far. I just returned from Yosemite two weeks ago. We drive over Tioga Pass stopping along the way to see Olmstead Point, Tenaya Lake and Tuolomne Meadows. We slowly made our way down 395 back to Los Angeles. We were also recently in Zion as well.
Some things to consider:
Please excuse this post if you already know these things. As was mentioned, Tioga and the high country campgrounds may or may not be open. Depends on the snow and weather. The official web page lists the camping season as "approximately July through September." Also, getting reservations up there is like winning the lottery. Thousands of people around the world get up early on the day it is released and it books out in seconds. Many sites are first come. When we went through on the 19th of June, the temps spiked and they opened early but were still full somehow. Just making the track over Tioga can easily be a four to six hour adventure when you stop along the way.
As your date approaches, you can check the snow levels and check the current level against historic levels and opening dates. The link can be found on the official page for YNP.
395 is wonderful and has so many cool places to stop. If you don't have to rush, plan on stopping at Mono Lake where you can see the tufas, Mammoth where you can hike to Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls (world class hikes and short), and many other cool places like Body Ghost Town a little farther north, Convict Lake, Manzanar, and more.
That descent into Lee Vining is a good one but not impossible if you go slow. We saw a few RV's spewing black smoke trying to get up as well as a few with over heated breaks. Especially the trailer towers.
Fires are not uncommon in the summer. We just made it past a fire that blocked off traffic in Lee Vining for a couple days. As well, a larger fire south of Manzanar had us driving in thick, fog like smoke for miles. Have an alternate route planned.
Regarding driving through DV NP in the summer, I know a few who have done it but I honestly wouldn't want to. 115-120f sounds horrible. I don't think my AC could keep up. Plus, keep in mind that DV is the largest NP in the lower 48 I believe. It might be fun, but it won't save any time.
High winds are very common on your planned route. This will slow you down.
Basically, what I am getting at, is that is a very long and hot drive that IMHO is better done in a few days given the possible variables that can slow you down be they amazing attractions or high winds etc. Besides, the crowds in Zion at that time are nothing to rush to. One of the days, we waited in line almost two hours to get the mandatory summer shuttle into Zion.
All that negativity aside, it looks like you are going to have an amazing trip! Those are two of my faves and most frequented NP's. Likely, none of the negatives I mentioned will effect you but perhaps being aware of them may help you. I hope anyway. Have a blast!
Some things to consider:
Please excuse this post if you already know these things. As was mentioned, Tioga and the high country campgrounds may or may not be open. Depends on the snow and weather. The official web page lists the camping season as "approximately July through September." Also, getting reservations up there is like winning the lottery. Thousands of people around the world get up early on the day it is released and it books out in seconds. Many sites are first come. When we went through on the 19th of June, the temps spiked and they opened early but were still full somehow. Just making the track over Tioga can easily be a four to six hour adventure when you stop along the way.
As your date approaches, you can check the snow levels and check the current level against historic levels and opening dates. The link can be found on the official page for YNP.
395 is wonderful and has so many cool places to stop. If you don't have to rush, plan on stopping at Mono Lake where you can see the tufas, Mammoth where you can hike to Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls (world class hikes and short), and many other cool places like Body Ghost Town a little farther north, Convict Lake, Manzanar, and more.
That descent into Lee Vining is a good one but not impossible if you go slow. We saw a few RV's spewing black smoke trying to get up as well as a few with over heated breaks. Especially the trailer towers.
Fires are not uncommon in the summer. We just made it past a fire that blocked off traffic in Lee Vining for a couple days. As well, a larger fire south of Manzanar had us driving in thick, fog like smoke for miles. Have an alternate route planned.
Regarding driving through DV NP in the summer, I know a few who have done it but I honestly wouldn't want to. 115-120f sounds horrible. I don't think my AC could keep up. Plus, keep in mind that DV is the largest NP in the lower 48 I believe. It might be fun, but it won't save any time.
High winds are very common on your planned route. This will slow you down.
Basically, what I am getting at, is that is a very long and hot drive that IMHO is better done in a few days given the possible variables that can slow you down be they amazing attractions or high winds etc. Besides, the crowds in Zion at that time are nothing to rush to. One of the days, we waited in line almost two hours to get the mandatory summer shuttle into Zion.
All that negativity aside, it looks like you are going to have an amazing trip! Those are two of my faves and most frequented NP's. Likely, none of the negatives I mentioned will effect you but perhaps being aware of them may help you. I hope anyway. Have a blast!
