Tioga Rd closed May-Oct??
 

We are planning on driving from Vegas, through Death Valley and hoped to drive down through Yosemite while staying at June Lake the second week of June. I am concerned with Tioga Rd being open due to all the snow this year. When zooming in on my Google Map, it shows Tioga Rd is closed from May-Oct. Is this true?? If so, we will need to make alternate plan

After leaving Vegas, we have four nights before we need to be in Sonoma. Would Lake Tahoe be a good alternative? ...or should we scrap staying in June Lake and head south toward Barstow?

Thanks for any information/suggestions!

If Tioga is still closed, continue north on US 395 to Carson City and then go west on US 50 (always open).
The top of Tioga Pass is 9945' above sea level. There was much more than the average snowfall this winter.
There is a sign along US 395 that shows which passes are open.
Do NOT go to Barstow (or Baker).
Turn south off US 50 in Placerville onto 49 to see some of the gold country on the way to Yosemite.

> Google Map, it shows Tioga Rd is closed from May-Oct
Actually, the OPPOSITE is true. Tioga Pass Road is usually closed from October to May. Sometimes it closes earlier, sometimes it opens later.
This table should help:
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

When snowfall in the area is 129% (or more) above average -- like this season -- the opening dates for Tioga Pass have been June 18, June 17, June 24, July 1, June 30, and June 3.

I'd plan for opening in late June.

Thanks for the input.

I'm not feeling confident that Tioga will be open. I think we will cut our time in June Lake down from 3 nights to 1 or 2 nights. Maybe go to Mono Lake and Bodie State Park and then head to Carson City.

We are renting a car. Do you think we will need tire chains for Rt 395 or Rt 50?

Any other suggested stops on our way to Sonoma?

This is such a great forum! Thanks to all for sharing their knowledge!

Just curious why Carson City? I haven't found anything of interest there.

>>Do you think we will need tire chains for Rt 395 or Rt 50?<<

Very doubtful. you'll need a/c more than chains :)

If we get an extended warm spell in the next 6 weeks they could make headway and get the Pass open by then but we won't know for several weeks.

I 'think' the Carson City mention is simply because that is where they would hook up w/ Hwy 50. (though there are a couple of interesting museums and the State Capitol there).

Hint -- I would NOT take hwy 50. I would head on to Reno and catch I-80. There has been a lot of slide damage and construction along Hwy 50 this year and there is likely to be quite a bit of one way/controlled traffic through the construction zones. (There is likely to be construction on I-80 as well but it can generally handle it better than hwy 50)

I would go to Lake Tahoe, north shore, Truckee. Then take I-80 west.

I agree -- I would have suggested that as well . . . If they have the time to enjoy Tahoe at least for a few hours.

If they really need to get moving and on to Sonoma then Reno > I-80.

(Thinking about it, my guess is they will have the extra time since they were considering driving through Yosemite)

sf7307--Yes, janisj is right--Carson City only because that is where we'd pick up Hwy 50.

MichelleY--So you'd suggest taking Hwy 89 up to I-80 near Truckee?

Janisj--So glad to hear no tire chains needed! :)
We prefer driving a scenic route and will check out construction along Hwy 50 before opting the I-80 route.

We will keep our fingers crossed that Tioga opens in time, if not, we will head north on 395. Thanks so much for your input!

>>MichelleY--So you'd suggest taking Hwy 89 up to I-80 near Truckee?<<

Actually, I'd take 50 to Nevada state highway 28 along the east side of the lake (instead of CA 89 on the west side). Partly because it is shorter and less congested, but mainly because it would let you visit Sand Harbor. Then around the northeast cornet of the Lake to Kings Beach and Hwy 267 to Truckee.

http://karenhutton.com/wp-content/up...HarborCove.jpg

I believe Bodie is still closed from earthquake damage http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509

You could check the route via Lake Isabella around to Kernville via State Mountain Road 99 and then across to Porterville on Hwy 190.
Trail of 100 Giants is nice, be sure to contact the right people to make sure it is open.. I think they are Western Divide station.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequo...telprdb5394941

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequ...a/?recid=79825

There is lodging along Lake Isabella (we like Lakeview Motel in Mountain Mesa) and also up in Kernville.

Then you'd be entering via Oakhurst and Wawona. (Hwy41 currently open).

Like Janis suggests, 50,28 up the east side of Lake Tahoe.

They are hoping to get Bodie open by mid-May.

We will have two days to get to Sonoma from June Lake. We've decided to take 395 north to Lake Tahoe if Tioga is closed. Any suggestions on lodging or sights to see in Tahoe or along the way to Sonoma? We are two active seniors who enjoy photography, hiking & museums.

Janisj--I had read that Emerald Bay has a lovely vista but that is on the west side of Tahoe. Would it be worth driving there just for the view and photographs and then back track to hit Sand Harbor?

Patty on--I was unaware of Bodie being close due to earthquake damage. I hope Michelle Y is correct that it may reopen in May.

You can't imagine how appreciative I am for all your input! What a great bunch!

>>Would it be worth driving there just for the view and photographs and then back track to hit Sand Harbor?<<

Yes -- easy to fit it in. If you are running late and have to choose -- pick Sand Harbor.

But since you have 2 days for the drive to Sonoma, stay at Tahoe that night in the bit over 2 half days you'd have at the lake do Emerald Bay and the Heavenly Valley Gondola day 1, and the visit Sand Harbor on day two on your way to I-80. There is some construction on SR 28 near Sand Harbor but it won't hold you up more than a few minutes.

IF you do stop at Bodie, that will cut your time the 1st day at Tahoe so play it by ear. Either do the Gondola or drive over to Emerald Bay. The good thing is there is a LOT of accommodations at Lake Tahoe so you really can decide at the last minute. South Lake Tahoe is not my favorite but for you it has the advantages of scads of rooms, and a shorter drive from the south (plus closer to Emerald Bay)

Janisj--Not to worry. We have one full day at June Lake and if Bodie is open, we will visit it then.

I'm not one to 'wing-it' when it comes finding accommodations on short notice, but since there are so many variables that are up in the air, I'm going to have to learn to go with the flow!

Thanks again!

Sometimes I can wing it, sometimes that would make me crazy :)

You can't really wing it at Yosemite but you can at Tahoe. Especially if it is a Sunday through Thursday.