Eastern California Winter Roadtrip
 

Hi, Im planning a road trip from San Diego, CA to Boise, Idaho. The kicker is that it is during the winter. I like photography and was hoping to be able to shoot the eastern sierras. I am leaving December 26 from San Diego and will get to Idaho the 31st (with some planned stops and winter camping). I have a truck with good snow tires (Toyo open country tires), they are pretty much new. I am also planning on buying snow chains just as a precaution before I hit the road. My route starts in san diego then I would take the 395. I wanted to stop at Alabama Hills, Bristlecone pine forest, Mammoth lakes, June lake loop (just above mammoth), mono lake, travertine hot springs, Lake tahoe/reno, then I would take the 80 and 95 to Boise. I feel like my truck will be fine going into mammoth but Im not sure what condition the roads from mammoth to lake tahoe will be like. I would love some advice about whether or not this trip is doable, obviously you can't predict the weather but hearing others experiences would help because Ive only explored the west side of these ranges. Thanks for your help!

Just a very quick comment -- need to dash out . . .

But . . . up 395 you most likely will be just fine -- if there is a serious winter storm you may have to stop in a motel in one of the towns to wait it out. Not sure I plan on camping though.

US 95 and US 395 are very desolate north of I-80.
Fill the tank in Winnemucca (Flying J) and then visit the nearby Les Schwab for a set of tire chains. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Le...4d-117.7429455
Leave Winnemucca between 9 and noon behind other traffic and you'll make it to Boise before sunset.
There is a gas station in Jordan Valley OR and a small motel.
If you don't use the chains from Les Schwab, you can return them for a full refund at any other Les Schwab (keep your receipt).

Two words if you see forecast storms....Motel 6. book in advance..you can cancel at 6 pm the day of arrival. There is one in Mammoth.

I like Bishopfor a stop along 395..hotels are less expensive than Mammoth.

I think that most of the bristlecone pine forests are above 7,000 ft. which may mean that the road to the forest will probably be closed--they generally are located at the end of roads which would not be plowed during the snow season.

For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancien...ne_Pine_Forest

What you need to know for driving on the east side of the Sierras in winter: http://www.visitmammoth.com/winter-driving-tips
If you need tire chains before you get to Winnemucca, there is a NAPA and an O'Reillys in Bishop.

If there's a storm on 395, you'll be stopped in Bishop where you can eat and spend the night.

Thanks for the help!