Yosemite to Lake Tahoe

Well, folks, I have towed on the 26 percent grade at Sonora Pass, both up and down, no problem. I first got clearance from a law enforcement officer at a local office that I will not name. My truck is 16 feet long, and so is my trailer (coupler to bumper). The officer told me that the combination should be fine on that grade and those turns.

The officer was right. I stayed in my lane the whole time, and had no trouble pulling up, and no trouble coming down. We boondocked for a week up at the pass -- heaven on earth, at 9500 feet.

Don't try this in anything larger, though! We saw an accident involving a commercial trailer -- nobody hurt, but a lot of vehicle damage.

By comparison, Tioga is a piece of cake -- excellent pullouts, and plenty of them. Eight percent.

time2roll wrote:
Just stay off Sonora Pass (CA108) and Ebbetts Pass (CA4) as you will encounter 26% and 24% grades respectively.

"Vehicles over 25 feet"

25 feet? How adorable! :B

I have another 20' plus tow vehicle. I can't imagine towing on those grades though. Terrifying.

If you are coming into Yosemite from the west, and you want to see some country, then leaving via Tioga Pass makes a lot of sense. You get to see the high parts of Yosemite, and east side of the Sierras.

You'll have climb from 395 to Tahoe, but then you can leave via 89 to the north to I80. Then see Reno, and northern Nevada on the way to Idaho and Yellowstone. Or stick with 395 to Oregon and then east.

The Sierras are steep in places. The range is a large fault block titled to the West. The east side is much steeper.
The most direct route would north to CA route 49. It is windy. but then you could take US Highway 50 or I-80 right to the lake.

Just stay off Sonora Pass (CA108) and Ebbetts Pass (CA4) as you will encounter 26% and 24% grades respectively.

Bottom line -- you can't go wrong. In my opinion, having done that trip several times over several routes, I would take Tioga to 395. 120 goes through the High Sierra, which is amazing country. And the views along 395, the whole way, are jaw-dropping. Wide open country, huge mountains and valleys.

If there is any way you can spend some time in the Tuolumne Meadows area, do it. The same is true all the way north to Tahoe.

Thanks everyone I not concerned with the mountains per say. I am one of those experienced mountain drivers. The Ram has 2 exhaust brakes auto and manual. I have just never traveled through that part of our country thanks for all the advice. We are full timers and this is part of our 6 month summer trip.

True story: We met 5 rigs in Yellowstone. Inexperienced mountain drivers and they took route 22 (10%+ grades) into Jackson. 3 were very relieved to see the sign in Wilson - Free coffee while we repair your brakes. And they left $2500 each.

retispcsi wrote:
My first time in that part of the country. What I want to do is go from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe with the best and quickest route. I am coming into Yosemite from the west from Gilroy. I was looking at the map and trying to figure this out. After Tahoe it is on to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. Thanks all info is appreciated.

Best is subjective. Quickest - 88 or 395 will be fairly close.

With your addition of heading to Yellowstone afterwards, I'll repeat my comment about unnecessary uphill/downhill.

395 - you will go up the Sierras, then down to 395. You will then go up the Sierras to Tahoe and back down to head to Yellowstone.

88 - you will go up the Sierras to Tahoe, then down to head to Yellowstone.

If you're not interested in stopping, etc., why do more up and down than necessary? Do it once and be done with it. :)

Especially since you are concerned with going over the Sierras in the first place.

My very first experience with an RV (rented) in 1976 was with a fully loaded class A RV with a big family and lotsa cargo. Went from Yosemite valley out Tioga pass, then up to Lake Tahoe.

I was very concerned but it turned out to be very easy, even with the summit almost 10,000 feet.

Now, with my Class C, reversed the route, but again no problems.