Yosemite Help

[canyonslicker]

Well if you decide to travel 395. Lone pine is a good central area to stay and venture from. Death Valley is mostly driving through, too hot for any serious hiking but some but some great finds. A full day. Then can do the Alabama Hills where many movies were filmed plus a lot of car commercials today. Some short and easy hikes with a lot of photo opportunities. Also a movie museum. Some off-road areas. It’s literally a few miles from Lone pine but further up the road is Whitney Portals at the end. Great scenery!! You can do the last two in one day. Then go through Independence to Onion valley. A steep but nice little hike up to the lake. Also there is the old Mt Whitney fish hatchery where you can feed the trout and enjoy a nice picnic under the shade. BYO lunch.

I usually just go further north to Bishop and back. If you’re going to Tahoe then just save as a waypoint. 2 musts in Bishop, Schats bakery and mahogany smoked meats.
Thats about all I can recommend..

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[AzScorpion]

I’ve always been partial to the Nevada side. The California side in South Lake Tahoe is where the majority of casinos and concerts are and more tourists. But you can find lots of casinos on the NV side too, if you are into gambling. It’s just not as crowded as California side of the lake. NV side is more scenic too, IMO.

Which area in the NV side would you recommend the North or South area? Or is it a short enough drive to stay at either and see everything? Annie talked with her supervisor and when they were there (years ago) they stayed in Incline Village up North.

 

[canyonslicker]

Hey Dave,
A few things about California. A lot of great weather, scenery but it’s a big state that’s spread out so it’s difficult to find base camps for access. The downside is too many people and high prices for everything. You’ve got to be willing to travel more to get to the great spots. Which can double suck because of fuel prices.. However the reward is some of the most beautiful places on the planet.
I really like the Pacific Northwest but the drive scenery is mostly tall evergreen trees. So coastal areas are best.

Which area in the NV side would you recommend the North or South area? Or is it a short enough drive to stay at either and see everything? Annie talked with her supervisor and when they were there (years ago) they stayed in Incline Village up North.

Dave
Carson city seems to be close by to everything there and is the divorce capital of the world, so you can get that out of the way preemptively. Realistically the casino hotels usually have the best rates plus I’ve seen it on the Bonanza map for the TV show… I’ve never been there but it’s on my list.

 

[Scott_Anderson_]

Which area in the NV side would you recommend the North or South area? Or is it a short enough drive to stay at either and see everything? Annie talked with her supervisor and when they were there (years ago) they stayed in Incline Village up North.

My family has had a condo in Incline Village for many years, so that is where we typically go. You could also consider Crystal Bay, King's Beach, and Tahoe City, which are all on the CA side, but relatively close and still on the opposite side of the lake from South shore, which is the side that tends to be more tourist-heavy.

You might also find some good places to stay in Truckee, but that is a bit further from the lake, about 20 minutes. Still, you should definitely stop there, though, and check it out one your way if you come up HWY 80, or make a day trip to it during your visit. It is a fun town.

You should have no problem driving around the lake in the summer. It's is a beautiful drive and lots of fun places to stop. There is one stretch they close during the winter, due to snow, but that won't be a problem at the time you are planning to visit.

If possible, I would allow at least 2 nights for Tahoe, more if possible.

 

[Wes Siler]

There's some really solid off-road public lands camping around Yosemite. Should be relatively easy to find using OnX Offroad or similar. I'd share my favorite spot, but it was burned to smithereens in that big fire last year.

On the east side, check out Coyote Flats, above Bishop, and the White Mountains, on the other side of the valley. Near Tahoe, Lake Faucherie is a fun drive, with some good public lands all over.

 

[SFB]

We're trying to plan next Junes trip and we're thinking of heading to Yosemite for our first stop. You all have always been helpful with great suggestions especially finding things off the beaten path to do. It looks like there's not a lot of places to stay close by that aren't super expensive and on Airbnb there's several really nice places in Groveland, CA reasonably priced. They all say 30 minutes to the park entrance and another 30 minutes to the main attractions inside.
Is this a decent area to stay in?
What are some of the things we should look into doing while there?
Also, how much time should we allow while there?

I'm trying to limit the amount of places (and driving) this trip so we'd like to start off here on Friday May 31st and I was thinking 2 weeks. Several of the places are on Pine Mountain Lake which gives you access to all the amenities there like the beach, kayaking, etc...

Now after leaving there I need some help planning places to go for the next 3 weeks, we're taking 5 weeks next year. I see Lake Tahoe is North East of Yosemite so would that be a good stop and for how long? We obviously want to be in areas that are cooler (the reason we're getting out of AZ is to escape the heat) I know there are nice areas in Eastern OR and Eastern WA but have no idea where and what there is to do. Or we could spend more time in CA and skip going all the way up to OR & WA if there's enough to do there. I see on Google maps there's a lot of National Forest NW of Lake Tahoe.

We don't want to be on the go all the time but like to checkout National Parks, State parks, scenic drives and any other cool sights in those areas. Annie can only hike so much without having a day (or two) off so that's something we can fill in doing too, besides shopping. ?‍ Help! lol

You might try checking out FishCamp for a place to stay, it’s 2 mi from the southern entrance or a little farther out on 41, again near southern entrance is Oakhurst, it’s about 30 minutes to the southern entrance. If you are into steam trains on your way in on 41 is the Sugar Pine Railroad, it’s a unique steam engine that was used in logging there. It has a nice ride through the mountains there, including a decent up hill grade where you can hear the steamer chugging. If I can think of more I’ll let ya know.

 

[Jon Olivier]

Well if you decide to travel 395. Lone pine is a good central area to stay and venture from. Death Valley is mostly driving through, too hot for any serious hiking but some but some great finds. A full day. Then can do the Alabama Hills where many movies were filmed plus a lot of car commercials today. Some short and easy hikes with a lot of photo opportunities. Also a movie museum. Some off-road areas. It’s literally a few miles from Lone pine but further up the road is Whitney Portals at the end. Great scenery!! You can do the last two in one day. Then go through Independence to Onion valley. A steep but nice little hike up to the lake. Also there is the old Mt Whitney fish hatchery where you can feed the trout and enjoy a nice picnic under the shade. BYO lunch.

I usually just go further north to Bishop and back. If you’re going to Tahoe then just save as a waypoint. 2 musts in Bishop, Schats bakery and mahogany smoked meats.
Thats about all I can recommend..

Mahogany Smoked Meats - everything there is delicious. Their bacon is to die for.

 

[Jon Olivier]

A bit wordy but...
Before going to Lake Tahoe area, you may want to explore the eastern side of the Sierras which I find very enjoyable. Some suggestions are:
Joshua Tree National Park
Many miles of driving and hiking trails within the park

Death Valley
Many places to see in Death Valley but it gets hot in June.

Places off of Hwy 395 traveling north
Alabama Hills National Scenic Area
East of Lone Pine which is on Hwy 395. Many western movies made in these hills.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (Very old trees)
Take the Silver Canyon Road east of Bishop and turn north (left) at the top on White Pine Road to view Bristlecone Pine groves Turn around taking White Pine Road south to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center. There are walking trails in some of the groves but be aware of the altitude of around 10,000 feet. Return to Hwy 395 via Hwy 168 to Big Pine.

Devils Postpile National Monument
East of Mammoth Lakes. Also, a nice gravel road to Deadman Pass from Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Lakes Scenic Loop drive is very pretty.

Obsidian Dome
A very short drive off Hwy 395 north of Mammoth Lakes.

June Lakes Area
Between Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake on Hwy 395, take Hwy 159. A fairly short loop passing three pretty lakes.

Virginia Lakes Area
A little north of Mono Lake is the Virginia Lake Road taking you to the lakes and great hiking area.

Yosemite
Access either from the very scenic Tioga Road off Hwy 395 near Mono Lake or Hwys 120 and Hwy 140 from the west side of the Sierras. Tioga Road may not be open in June depending on the winter’s snowfall.

Bodie Ghost Town
Access via Hwy 270 which is between Bridgeport and Mono Lake . Hwy 270 turns to a gravel road before Bodie. Alternately, take Hwy 167 from Hwy 395 to Cottonwood Canyon Road which is a gravel road to Bodie from the south. Last time I visited Bodie I came in on Cottonwood Road and exited via Hwy 270.

Sonora Pass
Hwy 108 east of Hwy 395 is a very picturesque road over the spine of the Sierra Nevada and would connect to Hwy 120 into Yosemite.

I have to agree with each of the sites you mentioned. My favorite is Bodie Ghost Town.

@AzScorpion , I can point you to some lesser-known areas around the Owens Valley as well, depending on your tastes for sight-seeing.

 

[Charley]

I wandered around the Lake Tahoe area in October of 2020, so the crowds were a little thinner and a lot of things were closed.
From Reno I drove 431 up the mountain to Incline village, 28 to Tahoe City, 89 up and back to Truckee. That section traffic wasn't bad.
Rt 89 was nearly bumper to bumper traffic along side the lake, I think it was a saturday though.

A co-worker had recommended Emerald Bay State Park but was closed for camping, but was able to enjoy a very scenic view.
Fallen Leaf Lake was absolutely beautiful.
South Lake Tahoe is the tourist town. plenty of places to stay and eat.
.
Truckee is an interesting very high priced town. Actually all the towns around the lake seemed to have the higher than normal prices. There is a Donner Memorial State Museum to the west of Truckee, not sure if it has a restaurant, probably wouldn't eat there anyway.

I drove from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, and looking at the map I think it was 89 to 395 to 120. And there were several small forest fires at the time in Yosemite, some they set, some others caused.

Since you will be headed north from Yosemite, somewhere I read there is a shortcut to Lake Tahoe, seems like you take a right turn at Georgetown, CA and end up in Tahoma, which is on 89 about the half way point of Lake Tahoe.

 

[Radioman]

Since you will be headed north from Yosemite, somewhere I read there is a shortcut to Lake Tahoe, seems like you take a right turn at Georgetown, CA and end up in Tahoma, which is on 89 about the half way point of Lake Tahoe.

Probably most people don't know your "shortcut" is called the Rubicon Trail, one of the most challenging 4X4 roads in the US.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Probably most people don't know your "shortcut" is called the Rubicon Trail, one of the most challenging 4X4 roads in the US.

Some kinda Stellantis product with that name.

 

[AzScorpion]

There's some really solid off-road public lands camping around Yosemite. Should be relatively easy to find using OnX Offroad or similar. I'd share my favorite spot, but it was burned to smithereens in that big fire last year.

On the east side, check out Coyote Flats, above Bishop, and the White Mountains, on the other side of the valley. Near Tahoe, Lake Faucherie is a fun drive, with some good public lands all over.

Thanks Wes. We're not going to camp but will check out the other areas.

You might try checking out FishCamp for a place to stay, it’s 2 mi from the southern entrance or a little farther out on 41, again near southern entrance is Oakhurst, it’s about 30 minutes to the southern entrance. If you are into steam trains on your way in on 41 is the Sugar Pine Railroad, it’s a unique steam engine that was used in logging there. It has a nice ride through the mountains there, including a decent up hill grade where you can hear the steamer chugging. If I can think of more I’ll let ya know.

Thanks Daniel. We always try and go on a train ride and the old stream trains are the best. The Durango - Silverton is one of our favorites so far and will check this one out if we end up going there. By the looks of it there's quite a bit to do there so I was thinking 5-7 days in Lake Tahoe giving us a day or two to just relax.

 

[Radioman]

Some kinda Stellantis product with that name.

Yep, got one...

 

[canyonslicker]

Wh

Mahogany Smoked Meats - everything there is delicious. Their bacon is to die for.

What I like is you can see the pork bellies smoking behind the counter..

 

[AzScorpion]

Mahogany Smoked Meats - everything there is delicious. Their bacon is to die for.

?

I have to agree with each of the sites you mentioned. My favorite is Bodie Ghost Town.

@AzScorpion , I can point you to some lesser-known areas around the Owens Valley as well, depending on your tastes for sight-seeing.

Thanks Jon that would be great if you could. We're not to picky and like to check out different areas. Of course she's a shopoholic but anything from scenic drives, hiking, National/state parks and any cool/different attractions that's in the area.

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