Carson City Nv to Columbia Ca &Big Trees SP

Calavaras Big Trees SP is a wonderful place! As are the government CGs further up CA Hwy. 4. Until school starts reserve a site at CBTSP however. Good beer restaurant in Arnold. Some foolish people have even pulled a trailer over the Sierras on 4 but I'm certain that guy wouldn't do it twice.

I'd not go the #395 to #88 to #4 and over ... #4 is very tight in places

IF you go #88 to #49 to #4 and over from the east, and up to Big Trees from the west side. If you try #4 from the east, it might give you some stress times ... #50 to #49 is OK too, but #88 to #49 is a much prettier drive, and the road is very good. You'll head thru Jackson and thru San Andreas, and into Angels Camp then up #4 toward Big Trees.

FYI: There is a state park near Mokelumne Hill off #49 on the way - DO NOT try that one if you see it - you will never get in, and you can't turn around.

Also, if you take #108, you enter into Sonoma County and have to back-track across the river to reach Big Trees - the route is fine for driving and towing, but longer --

Me I would take 395 to 88 Minden then over to Jackson and then 49 to Angles Camp.

Moved from General RVing

As others said, don't take 4 over the top. It's a great ride in a car or motorcycle, but it's a narrow, windy, steep road that is barely over one lane wide for a long distance. 108 is a little better than 4, and I once took a rented Class C over 108, but I would not do it again. It's not a suitable motorhome road.

From Carson City, I would do 395 to 88 to 49 and then to 4. 88 is a much better road for going over the summit and is wide enough for two motorhomes to pass when going in opposite directions.

And Ms. Smith, you cross over the Carson Pass. Not that high but fun.

Thanks for the advice

Germania wrote:
Thanks for the advice

Of all the mountain passes between Tehachapi and Oregon, the only ones I would not do in my motorhome are 4 and 108. And like I said, I've done 108 in a class C. 4 is even a tight fit in too big of a car! Okay, it's not that bad, but the danger is California drivers coming in the opposite directions doing stupid things and hitting you head on.

When I did 108 in the class C there was some kind of motorcycle rally in Bridgeport and I was going west over Sonora Pass. So all the motorcycles were coming in the other direction and many were taking the curves like Steve McQueen! I almost lost my drivers side mirror to motorcyclist heads about a dozen times. And in a couple of those they actually had to duck their heads back to avoid my mirror. But I could see the look in their eyes as they saw what was heading right for them.

Lwiddis wrote:
And Ms. Smith, you cross over the Carson Pass. Not that high but fun.

Carson pass is one of the higher mountain passes at over 8600 feet. So you still get up there in elevation, but the road is good. I just drove over it yesterday.