Heading to Yosemite next week..

[Bogey3025]

Traveling from AZ and taking the10 to the 99 to the CA140..
Pulling a 35ft FW with a HD2500 Dodge Diesel. We have a site large enough to accommodate our rig in the Lower Pines. Anyone ever been in that area, Anyone ever taken the route that we are taking? Any thoughts/words of wisdom??
Thanks...

[DaveG39]

50 looks wide open. We were in 25 and had a sharp turn out of that loop. Picture of your site shows a large A and room. Enjoy your trip.

[Finally_Time]

If you want to slow filling up your gray water tank you can use the showers at Camp Curry or the housekeeping camp. I used to stay a week in the valley and my trailer had small tanks, 25 gallons each fresh, gray and black. Using Curry's showers allowed me to go the whole week without dumping. I was told they charge for showers but I never saw anyone there to collect. I would usually walk over about 5 or 6 pm.

[Bogey3025]

clubhouse wrote:
On the potable water topic, if you take hwy 41 there is a dump station at Wawona with potable water too and it's typically not as busy as the one in the valley. Secondly they are pretty strict about filling in the actual campground use a water thief and a hose. Not sure why they care so much since you don't stay connected, but they do. I carry a 5 gallon fresh water tote in case I need to add a few gallons mid stay that was quite helpful last month when we were in Yosemite.

We purchase a Portable Transfer Water Pump , and a five gallon bucket and a 15 gal tote, we are there for a week.

[Bogey3025]

DaveG39 wrote:
Don't know what site you are in but last time I camped in Lower Pines I had problem negotiating a turn leaving on the internal roads because of trees and rocks plus a 5er parked in a space on the turn had his truck extending into the road and was off somewhere. Had to back and forth several times and drive over a large rock. Just take care negotiating the internal roads.

We have site #50, an end site.

[clubhouse]

On the potable water topic, if you take hwy 41 there is a dump station at Wawona with potable water too and it's typically not as busy as the one in the valley. Secondly they are pretty strict about filling in the actual campground use a water thief and a hose. Not sure why they care so much since you don't stay connected, but they do. I carry a 5 gallon fresh water tote in case I need to add a few gallons mid stay that was quite helpful last month when we were in Yosemite.

[DaveG39]

Don't know what site you are in but last time I camped in Lower Pines I had problem negotiating a turn leaving on the internal roads because of trees and rocks plus a 5er parked in a space on the turn had his truck extending into the road and was off somewhere. Had to back and forth several times and drive over a large rock. Just take care negotiating the internal roads.

[Finally_Time]

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.

[Bogey3025]

Bogey3025 wrote:
Traveling from AZ and taking the10 to the 99 to the CA140..
Pulling a 35ft FW with a HD2500 Dodge Diesel. We have a site large enough to accommodate our rig in the Lower Pines. Anyone ever been in that area, Anyone ever taken the route that we are taking? Any thoughts/words of wisdom??
Thanks...

Thanks for all the comments! Couple more questions...has anyone ever stayed in Lower Pines?
Is there a spot that's easy to get to fill up with palatable water? Anyone know if there are crazy switchbacks on CA140? Thanks again!!!

[DaveG39]

As soon as you get through the tunnel there is a pull out to the right where you can stop, if not too crowded, and take in the view. If crowded you can drive there later or take the tour trolley of the valley; worth taking.

[CManley]

The tunnel is an arch with the lowest point at the curb.

Wawona Road (Highway 41)
Maximum vehicle length: 45 feet (for single vehicles).
Height restrictions: Wawona Tunnel, into Yosemite Valley: 10 feet 2 inches at curb; from Yosemite Valley, 13 feet 6 inches at curb (the height of the tunnel at the white fogline is higher and full sized tour buses are able to drive through the tunnel while remaining in their lane).
Seasons: Open all year (chains may be required in winter).

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

Highway 41 peaks out at around 6000 feet before dropping down into Yosemite valley at 4000 feet. Not many, if any, switchbacks. As has been said already stay close to that center line. A buddy of mine drove his motorhome through the tunnel there and got too close to the side. He had to buy a new awning! My 5er is around 12 feet at the ac top and I've never had an issue. Right after the tunnel be prepared to slow down or even stop if there is room. The view is really nice.

[DaveG39]

Tourbus Prevost use 41 through the tunnel.

[Bogey3025]

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
Don't take 140. Take the 99 to 41 north. It's a more direct route and will save you about 90-120 minutes. Should be really nice there next week. Bring your bikes. You can bike everywhere. Also, maybe bring a raft for floating down the Merced river. Be safe and have a great time!

Thanks, we are bringing the bikes!

[Bogey3025]

othertonka wrote:
If traveling north on 99, you can catch Hwy 41 in Fresno and go to Yosemite that way, instead of going further north on 99 to hwy 140 in Merced. Don't be scared when you see the height signs on the tunnels in Yosemite. The measurement is at the extreme curb side of the tunnel and it arches up from there in the middle, so just hug the center line and you should be fine. 45 ft tour busses go through all the time. Have a nice trip.

Thanks for responding...

We were told we we are too high for the tunnels we are at 13. What's the climb like on the 41?
How are the switchbacks and the road conditions??