Hi...can anyone offer some advice on taking the Tioga Pass into Yosemite. We will be going to Yosemite from Lake Tahoe and plan to enter Yosemite from this entrance, as it is the only entrance from the north/east. However, I have read that this road is treacherous (with tremendous drop-offs & no barriers) and that it's worth it to drive all the way around Yosemite to a different entrance in order to avoid Tioga Pass. Is this true? Can someone provide an estimate of how long will it take from Tioga Pass to get to the valley? Thanks for any advice you can provide or any other recommendations!

The road is not that bad. If you are doing this within the next week or so check to make sure Tioga is open

Driving into Yosemite on Tioga pass is way better than driving out. Going in you are on the "safe" side rather than the side that has the drop offs. It is very steep going up from Lee Vining. Just have your passengers lean forward to help the car a bit ;-) You will be amazed at the beauty driving into Yosemite from this entrance. So much granite, such great views, beautiful meadows and amazing lakes and forests. It has it all!

Do not take a different route from Tahoe to Yosemite. Going over Tioga Pass is not a big deal. What were the fears of your advisors? Had they driven into Yosemite or are they repeating someone else's fears? Was their last experience years ago?

We did the exact trip that you are planning, about 3 years ago....Tahoe to Yosemite. We took the Tioga Pass with absolutely no problems. The scenery is beautiful so you'll want to take your time and stop often to take it all in. We were there the third week of June and there were still patches of snow on the ground. The temperature was absolutley perfect for hiking and sight seeing. The waterfalls and rivers were flowing briskly. I don't recall the exact amount of time, but with the stops I think it took us at least 2 hours to get down to the valley area. I wish I were going with you. Enjoy!

I'll agree with the previous posters on two points: It's not that perilous a drive, and it's scenically magnificent!

Tioga Pass is open.

Utahtea

Don´t hesitate to do this wonderful drive. Have a picnic in tenaya lake with great views and enviroment. Enjoy.

Tioga Pass is spectacular. Dangerous?
Not if you use your head. It is far more dangerous to drive bumper to bumper at 80 mph on metropolitan Interstates.

I agree with the previous posts - a few slightly scary moments at the "Priest Road" section, but overall nowhere near the terrifying experience I'd heard it was {perhaps we read the same post advising to go way around!] I was glad that we took this entrence, and would choose it again. Have fun and relax - it'll be fine!

anyone who thinks Tioga is a bad road must lead a sheltered life......driving the pass from Yosemite to mono lake/Bodie, Ca was one of the highlights of our trip. .....don't know when you're going so make sure the road is open. it had re-opened 2 days before our arrival in November ('98).

The road's been open awhile now because of lower than usual snowpack.

I'm scared of driving near drop-offs, but I'd still go out of my way to TAKE that road, not to avoid it.

Thanks to everyone for responding! I really appreciate your opinions and for taking the time to help ease some of my concerns. It sounds like an absolutely beautiful area and I cannot wait to see it.

Thanks again!