Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Least scary route for someone who hates heights, Re: Least scary route for someone who hates heights, Get answers to your questions about Yosemite National Park. 4 What is the best month to visit Yosemite National Park? Las Vegas is a little less than a 6-hour drive. The first community you will reach is Catheys Valley. When your vision is limited by your headlights, speed is not your friend. What is a good route to travel to Yosemite from Las Vegas? You do not have to cross the Bay Bridge, which makes you hostage to any accident, breakdown, or other condition on the bridge that can (and sometimes does) cause long delays. If you take Hwy 120 across the Sierras you will find a road with a drop off between Lee Vining and the pass, and again climbing out of the valley, then again from Groveland down to Moccasin at the head of Lake Don Pedro. I agree with Roadrunners route. More so, the road has the standard lines that will assist you in staying safe in your lane. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You can drive to Yosemite year-round. (, Photo by Linda Hogue courtesy Railtown 1897 State Historic Park), Kolana Rock is visible from from Wapama Falls at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Photo by, Old Big Oak Flat Trail offers views of Yosemite Valley. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113527132', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite, I found myself taking SR 140 more and more. Where are the Yosemite National Park traveler articles? I agree with Roadrunners route. If you want, you can exit that way as well. Well I posted another video finally haha this time I promise I'll be posting more! Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Your most direct route to Yosemite is through the Big Oak Flat Entrance or the Arch Rock Entrance, which is located southeast of Big Oak Flat. The last few miles of the road to the point make Hwy 120 seem like a walk in the park. Farther south is the Mammoth Lakes area, filled with beautiful lakes, a historic mining town and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Bike Park. Hi again Leslie just ask on your thread. Go through Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a quaint, preserved main street. If the air is clear, this is almost as impressive as the view from Glacier Point. Enjoyed by travelers who prefer to set their own pace and itinerary on vacation, but enjoy a fun, informative and educational guided experience. And you are also on the mountain side going east to west. Going the other way was easy peasy. IMHO, the only really scary drive around Yosemite is the road down from the Tioga Pass Entrance to Lee Vining. What might be happening in 2022 and beyond? Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55240433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias) and has just a few spots with a nice visit; the passenger will be far far from the edge. I also vote for 140. This article would have all your questions answered! The road is high above the valley below so for less than a mile the person on the passenger side may feel a bit uncomfortable if they choose to look down. My opinion is that the best route is Hwy 140 to the Arch Rock Entrance. This scenic route skirts around the Northern edge of Mariposa County and passes through the lovely towns of Buck Meadows andGroveland. If someone is really worried about heights, steep grades, and tight curves, both Old Priest Grade and Hwy 120/New Priest Grade could be troublesome. Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. To me, it feels like less work. Lower elevation, along the river, scenic. Today, all users with annual and lifetime pass holders will need to make day-use reservations with a three-day validity period. Twice as salty as the ocean, the water is so alkaline that no fish can live in the water, but millions of brine shrimp, alkali flies and birds live here. Glacier Point Road can be a terrifying drive for someone who hasnt driven at roads with switchbacks and drop-offs. It is believed that the word Hetch Hetchy comes from the Miwok word hetchetici, which described the seeds of native grass used for food and other things. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced. There are five entrances into Yosemite National Park, and the road to each of them offers unique sights to see along the way. Which is the most cooperative country in the world? more, Reply to: Least scary route in and out of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park Destination Experts. 1. And driving at night probably made it worse. Glacier Point Road is not difficult to drive. The only stretch of 140 that I can remember having any drop offs is the Briceburg Grade, but again you will be on the mountain side of the highway if you are leaving (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You have to see (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Campground. If riding a train is more your style, head to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which offers three different kinds of rides on two operating steam engine train locomotives a 30-minute excursion, a 1-hour ride and the Moonlight Special, a 3-hour evening that includes a BBQ dinner, a train ride, campfire sing along and entertainment. With that in mind what is best way to get to it from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more, Yosemite National Park Destination Experts. They are all 100 times braver than I. How do I get to Yosemite using public transportation? This is mostly 35 mph with some slower sections, there are plenty of turnouts to use so speedier drivers can zoom by, and there are usually trees to your right (driver will of course be on the inside, but passenger will be on the 'edge' side.). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Over the last 20 years of visiting (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? To me, it feels like less work. The towns 1854 courthouse is the oldest continuously operating courthouse west of the Rockies, and the Smithsonian Institute has named the Mariposa Museum and History Center one of the best small museums in America. That is better for you as a passenger as you are hugging the mountain side. Learn more. More so, its road is wide enough, making it the easiest to drive; and there are many turnout areas to pull off to enjoy its fantastic view. If you want, you can exit that way as well. Go through Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a quaint, preserved main street. Your heart couldn't take it. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113526477', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite before (from SF, then out towards Death Valley) and remember some of the driving in to be quite hair-raising, with sheer drops/a lack of barriers, tight turns, sharp inclines etc (it was back in 2014 so think I came in via Old Priest Grade Road). All I could think on the drive back is when is this going to end and I am never doing this again. You have to see (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Or youre just learning how to fish for halibut. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Hong Kong. However, the scenic routes may not be a peaceful drive in heavy traffic. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 1/10/23. Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite pretty? This is where locally owned businesses thrive. It does not store any personal data. I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Las Vegas is a little less than a 6-hour drive. Located 24 miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, it is the largest town between the entrance and Sonora, Calif. Leaving at 0400 and having breakfast on the way over there somewhere, and then getting to the Park around 9 a.m. is good. This tunnel offers a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls. Several historic structures still stand and have been turned into restaurants, shops and bars. *Alternate to 101: Take Hwy 280 all the way through Palo Alto and Los Altos, then 85 to 101 just before you get to San Jose (follow the road signs for Gilroy). Thank you PacificNWFamily, ALTippet and Frisco_Roadrunner really, really helpful and I definitely think 140 is the way to go. Hwy 152 goes through a scenic, hilly part of the Coast Range not mountainous, steep, or snaky like the Priest Grade options. You can check on current chain requirements for the following roads outside of Yosemite: Highway 41, Highway 120, Highway 140, Highway 88, and US 50. Tioga Pass: Least scary road in Yosemite - See 1,176 traveler reviews, 792 candid photos, and great deals for Yosemite National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. Its basically the same route we take from the Monterey Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101. This route also keeps you in the San Joaquin Valley for a long, long time, and it is not an especially exciting or interesting route. Which airport is best for a Yosemite vacation? Glacier Point has commanding views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite's high . Let's Summarize: Road Trip to Yosemite Here are 7 epic road trips to Yosemite that you can take: 1. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. I dont do well with being close to edges of really high places of any kind. Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you get 200 feet off a road or a trail you will have it to yourself. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But if you're including Mariposa Grove in your itinerary, then (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Browse through this article to get viable information if youre planning to visit Yosemite Valley and what route should be avoided or chosen. From this entrance, you have easy access to the Yosemite Valley via Big Oak Flat Road. But either is probably not ideal for people who look down a mountain into the ravine and feel their stomach lurch. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55240433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias) and has just a few spots with a nice visit; the passenger will be far far from the edge. Your most direct route to Yosemite is through the Big Oak Flat Entrance or the Arch Rock Entrance, which is located southeast of Big Oak Flat. You'll get used to driving on these types of roads eventually. Will I need tire chains to visit in winter? Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I bet everyone wants another itinerary question See All Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite. Hey, it's ok. Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger. Access it via 120 and by Evergreen Road. The park started selling 70% of reservation slots March 23 for those who want to enter the park between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, but theres still time for you to get a reservation. I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Discover live outdoor music during the summer at the historic Groveland Hotel patio and daily wine tastings at the historic Hotel Charlotte, both downtown. But there is NO change in hell that I will ever take that driver back up there. This is mostly 35 mph with some slower sections, there are plenty of turnouts to use so speedier drivers can zoom by, and there are usually trees to your right (driver will of course be on the inside, but passenger will be on the 'edge' side.). Will be stored in your itinerary, then ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad or chosen article! 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