Yosemite to Lake Tahoe early June? (Carson, Truckee: live, safe, estate)

[mrdon]

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out which is the best/feasible route from Yosemite to D.L. Bliss State Park, Lake Tahoe. This trip will be in early June, most likely June 2.

According to Google Maps, I can take CA-120E/Tioga through the park, then CA-89 up to Lake Tahoe --- OR --- get out of the park and take CA-4, then CA-89.

Since Google is suggesting that 120/89/4 "may be seasonally closed", but I'm not travelling in winter. Is it safe for me to assume that I can take these routes?

Or is there other safe/recommended route, please do share.

Thanks,
Don

[coyoteskye]

Come down from Yosemite (over Tioga Pass / 120) on the eastern side of the Sierra and then onto HWY 395 up to Carson City, Reno and then onto to HWY80 to Truckee and then on over to Lake Tahoe.
A beautiful drive and i wouldn't do it any other way.

[DMenscha]

With all the snow we've had this year, those passes might not even be open by June 2. 120 West out of the park to 49 and north to 88 at Jackson up to 89 might be your only option. Highway 4 probably has 15 feet of snow on it now and 120 over Tioga perhaps a bit more.

Caltrans tries hard to clear the roads but sometimes mother nature tries harder.

[coyoteskye]

True.
O.P. - Check road status as your trip time approaches.
Yosemite National Park - Current Conditions (U.S. National Park Service)

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

With all the snow we've had this year, those passes might not even be open by June 2. 120 West out of the park to 49 and north to 88 at Jackson up to 89 might be your only option. Highway 4 probably has 15 feet of snow on it now and 120 over Tioga perhaps a bit more.

Caltrans tries hard to clear the roads but sometimes mother nature tries harder.

I'd agree with this route.

And we just got more snow last night.

I am surprised that google maps recommended HWY 4. Not only is it slower than 88, but as you get towards the summit it turns into a one lane road (no center line) for about 10 miles. Slow twisty and you have to pull to one side at places if there is an oncoming vehicle.

Google is not always your friend.

[DMenscha]

Here's a link to a cam in Bear Valley at 7000' on Highway 4. http://www.bearvalleyrealestate.com/...vrelivecam.jpg They've still got 10' of snow on the ground. The top of the pass is 8700' and as Mr5150 says it's pretty narrow even in the summer when there aren't any snowbanks still around.

[mrdon]

Thanks for your feedback guys!

Originally Posted by DMenscha

With all the snow we've had this year, those passes might not even be open by June 2. 120 West out of the park to 49 and north to 88 at Jackson up to 89 might be your only option. Highway 4 probably has 15 feet of snow on it now and 120 over Tioga perhaps a bit more.

Caltrans tries hard to clear the roads but sometimes mother nature tries harder.

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Google is not always your friend.

While Google & its gizmos served me well during the past few years, I would have to agree with you. I'm glad I turned to this website.

It looks like I will have to monitor road condition carefully before leaving Yosemite. Even part of 89 is closed at the moment.

Thanks again.

[Phil306]

Oh wait, snow in California? It snows here? That isn't possible...

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by mrdon

Even part of 89 is closed at the moment.

That's Monitor Pass, which connects Highway 4 with Highway 395 near Markleeville.

If all the passes get opened by the time of your trip, the most scenic way would be over Tioga Pass, up 395 to Topaz Lake and over Monitor Pass, through Markleeville and over Luther Pass into S. Lake Tahoe.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by Phil306

Oh wait, snow in California? It snows here? That isn't possible...

Actually CA gets the thickest snowpack in North America.