jjgittes

Need routing advice-We will be driving from south Lake Tahoe to Fish Camp, CA (Southwest entrance to Yosemite) for two days at a lodge there. Question about the best route from Lake Tahoe to Fish Camp: I was planning on taking 395 south to Tioga Pass(west Hwy 120), and cutting thru Yosemite to then make my way to Fish Camp. However, I was just told about a "more fun" route thru Mark Twain territory; take the 50 west to the 49 south and worm my way back to Fish Camp from there. Then drive into Yosemite the day after. Can anyone shed light on what it is the better/safer/easier/timelier route to Fish Camp from Tahoe? Thanks.

Suzie

More fun? How is that more fun? Is this in the summer when the temp is regularly in the 100s in that area? That can’t be fun!

JK. Actually we vacation for a week in Tahoe and a week in Mammoth Lakes so I think going 395 to 120 is way more fun. On the way you can stop and fish in the Walker River. Stop for an ice cream cone or shake or even an old fashioned burger at Jolly Cone in Bridgeport. Visit Bodie, the ghost town. See Mono Lake. Have lunch at the super fab Whoa Nellie Deli at Toomey’s Gas Station right on 120 in Lee Vining. Along Tioga Road you can see some of the most amazing sights like Tenaya Lake and Olmsted Point. Are you convinced yet?

You can see sights in the valley and then make your way to Fish Camp

jjgittes

Thank you so much for the info, Suzie! Yes, the person who told us this seems to be into seeing old gold mining camps but he did paint it as a scenic journey. I guess the word "fun" has a bit different meaning for each of us!!

Supercilious

Actually, Mark Twain spent more time in Carson City than he did in Calaveras County. So, I'm not sure which is the true "Mark Twain Territory". Twain also spent some time out in the middle of Mono Lake.

There are several interesting routes. My favorites are (1)Hwy 4 over Ebbets Pass down to Murphy's and then Hwy 49 down to Oakhurst and Fish Camp. (2) Hwy 108 over Sonora Pass down to Sonora and then 49 to Oakhurst. (3) US 395 to CA 120 and then through Yosemite Valley to Fish Camp. All of these are substantial drives and it's a shame if you only have one day.

For scenic beauty, the 395/120 route is one of the best in the state but there are interesting things to see and places to stop on the other routes too.

Try to avoid driving over Tioga Pass on a Sunday. It can be slow going with everyone coming home from the weekend. 120 is mostly 45 mph (or slower) all the way through the Park. Lee Vining to Fish Camp can easily take three hours (without stopping) on mostly winding roads.

janisj

If the trip was between Oct and May - then the hwy 49 route WOULD be more fun -- because tioga Pass would be closed. The foothills/goldrush towns are at their best in the early spring.

But between June and Sept the foothills would be HOT, dry, and not too much fun. At that time of year 395/tioga pass would be best by far.

jjgittes

Thanks, janis and supercilious. Yes, the trip is this summer so sounds like 395 to 120 will work. As far as time goes, I am assuming 2 hours from Tahoe to the 120 and then giving myself about 4 hours to cross Tioga pass with a stop here and there. Sound about right?

boom_boom

I actually enjoy the Ebbetts Pass (Route 4)to Murphys and then follow 49, more than Yosemite because of the crowds, not to mention the $20 fee to drive through Yosemite. But if you go over 120, there is a nice lunch spot at the Tioga Pass Lodge about 1 mile outside the park entrance. Also nice brief hikes in the Tuolumne Meadows area or Tenaya Lake to break up the trip. I was there two weeks ago and Creeks and waterfalls are already diminishing as the snowfall last winter was meager. Still a beautiful, if slow, drive.

jamesr3939

I have done all those routes at one time or another on my motorcycle and doing the 395 to Tioga (Hwy 120) to Hwy 41 is a long slow drive.

Besides if you are going into the park the next day from Fish Camp you would have to go way far west to catch Hwy 49 to Fish Camp to avoid going into the valley on your way the first day.

If it were me, I would go south out of SLT from Hwy 50 take Hwy 89 south about 14 miles to Hwy 88. Then take Hwy 88 west to the town of Jackson and Hwy 49. Take Hwy 49 south to Hwy 41 at Oakhurst and double back a few miles on Hwy 41 to Fish Camp.

Hwy 395 is high desert and will still be warm. The view along Hwy 89, 88 and 49 is way better than 395 and a lot faster.

If you have time you can take off Hwy 49 just south of Jamestown on Hwy 120, back east, which will take you to the Yosemite Valley and then hit Hwy 41 south to Fish Camp. But since you are going to the valley after Fish Camp that is probably not important.

If you really want to do the 395 route then still take Hwy 89 south from SLT and then take Hwy 88 east over to Hwy 395 and go south to Lee Vining.

Don't do Hwy 4 or 108 back over into the central valley unless you don't want to make it to Fish Camp until midnight. They are awsome view roads, but narrow, slow, and slow.

If you come down Hwy 88 to Jackson there is Mel's Dinner and Rosebud's that are good places to have lunch.

If you turn right at the Hwy 88 Hwy 49 intersection, instead of left (south) you will see Mel's on your left up on the hill. Go a little further (1/4 miel) on Hwy 49 and you will see Main Street (Shell Station & Fire Dept) turn hard right and about a 1/2 block down on your left will be Rosebud's.

jjgittes

Just wanted to thank you all for your help. We had a wonderful trip and your tips made it that much better.

Jamesr3939, a park ranger we talked to on our way up agreed with your thoughts about connecting to Hwy 49 via the 88/89 route on our drive back to Yosemite. Actually, the timing seemed to work out perfectly in that we had a scenic drive from Tahoe to FIsh Camp and arrived at our hotel just about check-in time!

jamesr3939

So, glad you enjoyed that route. I drive Hwy 49 often and never get tired of the route. As you found, Hwy 88 is an awsome drive and a better route, time wise, if you are headed to the southern San Joaquin Valley.