Heading to Yosemite next week..

I've stayed in Lower Pines a couple of times. You can fill up with potable water at the dump site in Upper Pines - just across the road from the entrance to Lower Pines, then go to your site. When I lived in Sacramento I always took Hwy 140. (I hated the climb and switchbacks on 120.) It's an easy drive; not much in the way of switchbacks. There is a long downgrade to the Merced river before you get to the park entrance, just downshift and take your time. There was a rock slide along the river years ago and there is still a detour over two bridge to bypass it. There is a length restriction, I think 40 feet, for the bridges but the tour buses cross them all the time, you should be ok. Fuel is very expensive once you get off 99, and the closer to the park the higher it is. If you need fuel get it before leaving 99.

Lower Pines is convenient to the campground shuttle stop and on the end opposite the entrance there is a boardwalk across the meadow to Camp Curry. I like to take my bike over it in the early morning or evening. It's quiet and there are usually some deer.