Has anyone taken this route recently? I am concerned about the high passes (7500 - 8000+) as far as snow etc.. Also, places to stop and to stay along the route; I understand that there is alot to see, we are in no hurry and like 200miles or so a day. Any info is appreciated. THX TB

Has anyone taken this route recently? I am concerned about the high passes (7500 - 8000+) as far as snow etc.. Also, places to stop and to stay along the route; I understand that there is alot to see, we are in no hurry and like 200miles or so a day. Any info is appreciated. THX TB Just watch the weather between Bishop and Carson City. Otherwise the road is excellent. At this time of year any snow on the road melts quickly.

I have not taken this road recently. Snow and weather is very changeable, so you need to check weather reports. Generally, if it has not snowed in 2 days, the road will be clear. Beware of sections where the road side snow may have melted, flowed across the highway, and refrozen.Yes, it is a great drive. Do a dry camp stop in the Alabama hills, or stay in the campground. There is a free national forest campground (no hook ups) just north of the Mammoth Mtn exit.Enjoy your trip.

Some CalTrans traffic cams that might interest you:http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist9/cctv/The free USFS camp north of Mammoth, mentioned above, is Glass Creek.

I don't know if glass Creek can handle my 40' coach; we can unhook the toad. It looks like the climb from Barstow is gradual, is that right? Are there any really tough pulls? That won't deter, just nice to know what to expect. Should be headed that way in a couple of weeks, will be watching the reports, cameras etc. Thanks!

We like Bolder Creek RV Park in Lone Pine, your rig will fit. If you are western movie fan, visit the Film Museum prior to visiting Alabama Hills where lots of movies were made. Take you toad for visiting Alabama Hills Movie Road. Dick

HWY 395 Barstow to Carson City | Good Sam Community

profdant139
Explorer II
May 19, 2016
On second thought, there is something else to do at night in Bishop -- drive up to Lake Sabrina (rhymes with Carolina) and look at the stars:

This was a time exposure taken by moonlight -- you can actually see the gold aspens toward the bottom of the shot -- this was in early October.
profdant139
Explorer II
May 19, 2016
Coolbreeze asked what there is to do around Bishop for three nights. Honestly, at night, there is not much going on -- there is a movie theater and some good home cookin' type restaurants. But during the day, there is a lot to do -- many days' worth. The whole Bishop Creek area (once the roads are plowed) provides world-class hiking, with trailheads that start at 9500 feet and go up from there! The Ancient Bristlecone Forest is about an hour away up in the White Mountains.

Lots of great campgrounds (and boondocking) in the area, great fishing (I don't fish), or even just great "let's drive around and look at those amazing mountains." For example, this was taken from the road to Bishop Creek:
TANDDANDBIGE
Explorer
May 19, 2016
The Laws Railroad museum is an interesting place; we spent 3 hours there one day. It's full of history of a now defunct narrow gauge railroad and the town of Laws.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
May 18, 2016
Glad you had a nice trip. What did you do for 3 nights at Highlands RV Park?

Any discovery's you want to share?
Strabo
Explorer
May 18, 2016
jmtandem wrote:
Are there any really tough pulls?

Just north of Bishop there is a climb. It will get your attention.

Yup, thats a steep one for sure
TANDDANDBIGE
Explorer
May 18, 2016
UPDATE! drove to Bishop, 3 nights at Highlands RV Park. Quiet but a bit tight,(seems many are) Drove to Carson yesterday, what a beautiful drive! Yes, the hills slowed me down a bit , but more time to enjoy the scenery. Thanks to all for the info; safe travels!
Allworth
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2016
If you have a chance to go to the ghost town at Bodie, give it a shot.

Neat place.
bbaker2001
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
beautiful drive
life is an Adventure
have fun
watch for the wind
Ltrip
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
There is plenty of room at Glass Creek for your outfit.

Second that!
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
There is a way around the high pass. You can exit 395 at Bishop and take 6 to 95, and 95 to I 80 and then west to Reno and back to 395.
If you haven't been to Red Rock State Park, its dry camping but there are a lot of places that would fix a 40'er. Its not on 395, but on 14 and a straight shot to 395 from there.
At Bishop I would stay at Browns Millpond Campground or Bishop RV Campground and unhooked I'd drive to Bodie State Historical Park (Not a place to take the RV and also check the road condition before going.
Another great place to camp is Washoe Lake near Carson City.
Good travels