395 from Oregon to Yosemite

[mabel]

Thought about taking 395 from highway 20 in Oregon south to Yosemite.Will be there in Mid September. Any advice would be appreciated.

[larry_barnhart]

We towed from Pendleton Oregon to Susanville on 395 last September. No problems on that stretch
chevman

[Lauren]

Tanx ............ maybe we should think about it next time in the area.

[msmith1199]

Lauren wrote:
How about towing COMPLETELY over either way? Mountain Directory tells a pretty sordid tale!

I have taken my 35' DP with a toad over it many times. Slow going in places, but easily doable.

[profdant139]

Someone asked if 120 is difficult to tow the entire way, from east to west or vice-versa. The answer is no -- it is no problem. Sometimes a lot of traffic, but there are lots of turn-outs, and the grades are not bad, and it is not too twisty. The altitude can affect the engine, but the highest part (at almost 10,000 feet) is fairly level. The steeper stuff is below 9000 feet.

There are some difficult or impossible roads for towing in the Sierra -- such as Sonora Pass (108), Ebbetts Pass, and Carson Pass. Monitor Pass is tough but not terrible. By comparison, 120 is really no big deal.

[D_E_Bishop]

I didn't look at if you're towing or not but 120 in't all that bad and the action entering from the East is fantastic. Lots of rock climbing and the meadow is beautiful but may be a litll brown in mid September. Once again don't know about your RV but Crain Flat is a nice CG fo small rigs. 120 drops you off in min-valley, lot of action.

Enjoy.

[time2roll]

Just watch the speed limits in the small towns.
I caught in a school zone at 1am many years ago :R

[deleted-2]

395 is no sweat at least from Susanville to Reno.
We make that stretch a lot...not much out there.

[aerbus32]

My brother-in-law, who is pretty new to the RV world, just took their 32' Class C over Tioga. Tried to do it in cruise control . . .

[Lauren]

How about towing COMPLETELY over either way? Mountain Directory tells a pretty sordid tale!

[profdant139]

Towing up and down 120 on the east side is not a problem. It is not twisty, and there are plenty of turnouts. Just use a low gear on the way down.

[Lauren]

Yes, you can come in from the east - we have done it by staying in Lee Vining. I have not towed over Tioga Pass - the 120 - and not sure about doing that. All the main action is on the west side.

[Litch]

aerbus32 wrote:
Mid-September should be a good time to visit Yosemite. As you mentioned in your other post, the entrance to Yosemite is from the Western Sierra. You have some interesting choices to make. First, for my tastes, 395 from Bend to Reno isn't all that nice. An easy place to cross the Sierra is 80. Highway 49 goes along the western side, and RV's do it all the time, but it's got some good hills. If you can make reservations in the valley floor of Yosemite, do it right away. It's easiest in an RV to come into the park on 120 out of Groveland. Were it me, I'd just take 5 down thru Oregon. (If you haven't seen Crater Lake, it's spectacular!). There are lots of very good private parks along 5. Near Manteca, take 120 in from 5. Stay on 5 through Sacramento. It's a lot easier.

You can enter Yosemite from the East as well, 120 goes all the way through to 395.

[aerbus32]

Mid-September should be a good time to visit Yosemite. As you mentioned in your other post, the entrance to Yosemite is from the Western Sierra. You have some interesting choices to make. First, for my tastes, 395 from Bend to Reno isn't all that nice. An easy place to cross the Sierra is 80. Highway 49 goes along the western side, and RV's do it all the time, but it's got some good hills. If you can make reservations in the valley floor of Yosemite, do it right away. It's easiest in an RV to come into the park on 120 out of Groveland. Were it me, I'd just take 5 down thru Oregon. (If you haven't seen Crater Lake, it's spectacular!). There are lots of very good private parks along 5. Near Manteca, take 120 in from 5. Stay on 5 through Sacramento. It's a lot easier.

[Lauren]

Love the 395 top to bottom. Great overnight is the rv park Likely, CA. Done it several times and, God willing, will do it again in 2014.

The General Store is something else and make sure you go into the basement area - fascinating. Last time thru his fuel prices were less than Alturas.