The route via the Eastern Sierra seems a lot more scenic. There is an easy 2.5 mile loop trail around the lake. Im organizing a geology focused hiking/camping trip in the area, and you provided valuable information. The next stop is back down Highway 395 at the Manzanar National Historic Park. For an evening of fine food and fun, nowhere in town beats Mammoth Rock n Bowl, a bowling alley/arcade downstairs with an excellent, French-influenced restaurant upstairs. Amtraks USA Rail Pass lets you do it. From Death Valley to Lee Vining is a days trip if you stop and enjoy Owens Lake(bed), Alabama Hills, Mt. Those include Navy Road off Hwy 120 east (south of Lee Vining) and Old Marina and Cemetery Roads (both north of town). Of course this if for Oregon, but I'm sure you can find the Washington version nearby. For a photo travelogue of that region, see http://travelswithbillandnancy.com/eastern_sierras.htm. Is the road to Whitney Portal open? State: Highest Point: Highest Elevation (feet) State Elevation Maps: Alabama Highest Point: Cheaha Mt., AL: 2,405: Alabama Elevation Map: Alaska Highest Point: Mt. [29], North of Susanville, the highway bends around Shaffer Mountain and crosses the Modoc Plateau. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29824053', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland to Long Beach, WA. Highway 395 actually runs from Californias border with Oregon all the way down to Victorville. Spring wildflower season starts in late May, but if its a late snow year, many of the hiking trails and campgrounds wont be open yet. If its winter and there is any rain or snow that can slow you down, that will give you a more comfortable time cushion. The guide also suggests two scenic off road detours as an alternative to the regular road. Want to crisscross the vast USA in 30 days by train? Elevation: 1415m / 4642feet Barometric Pressure: 85KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: A painted sky Wonder Walk Butte Creek Falls Sunrise in a Crater.. Oregon Cascades Pano Rowena Sunrise Evening on the Cape Oneonta Falls. There are several trailheads into the Yosemite backcountry which begin at Tioga Pass, including the trail to the Gaylor Lakes to the west/northwest, and the trail to the summit of Mount Dana. The highway runs for 87 miles (140km) in Nevada. You will be limited by road conditions. Then head into the Alabama Hills to see the filming locations for yourself. . [2] Ive lived in California for decades and been to the Eastern Sierras a number of times, but it took while for it to work its magic on me. Visiting Bodie requires the same. Rock Creek Road, Inyo County, Inyo National Forest, Elevation 10,239 feet. Some parts are now built to freeway standards. There are tons of hot springs along this route. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. It is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945 ft (3,031 m) [1]. Here's when to go. Basically, Bodie SHP is open all year long, but in the winter it is only reachable by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. It is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945ft (3,031m)[1]. Check the "steepness" score to find interesting uphill hikes to summit, hilly streets to drive, or the fastest downhill mountain biking trails. McKinley 20,320 Pacific Ocean Sea levelArizona 4,100 Humphreys Peak 12,633 Colorado River 70Arkansas 650 Magazine Mountain 2,753 Ouachita River 55California 2,900 Mt. After reading this full article, you can see why its worth devoting at least 5 days to your California 395 road trip. SR299 can be used to travel west all the way to the western side of California at US101 in Arcata, and east to Nevada State Route 8A at the Nevada state line. US395 travels in a north-northeast direction for the last 50 miles (80km) in California, paralleling the east shore of Goose Lake just before crossing the Oregon state line at New Pine Creek, Oregon. ), you could do it in a more leisurely way. The elevation on this trip varies wildly, which is also why timing is so dependent upon the season. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Look around the tabs and they also have coast passes, etc. Take a self-guided tour with the map fromthe small museum, peering into homes eerily still filled with their last owners belongings. Share this Highway 395 road trip itinerary with your friends on Pinterest: Thanks for the great site. If you like this kind of spare desert landscape in the southeastern Sierras, youll love Death Valley. This pass, like many other passes in the Sierra Nevada, has a gradual approach from the west and drops off to the east dramatically, losing more than 3,000ft (910m) by the time the road reaches U.S. Route 395. At 8,138 feet (2,480m) in altitude, this is the highest point along US395, and the highest point along a U.S. Highway in California. so will take your word for it. [36][37] By 1937, US6 had been extended to California, concurrent with US395 between Bishop and Inyokern.[36]. Nearby is where the Los Angeles Aqueduct is tapped from the Owens River; with more vegetation visible north of this point. Back on the 395, its only 100 miles to Lone Pine but theres plenty to see and do on the way. Sure, it doesnt have the showy seascapes of the Pacific Coast Highway, but hiding in the shadows of the Eastern Sierras are some amazing landscapes, vast acres of pine forest and some pretty funky geology. It's totally paved. You can do as much or as little as you want of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail. 58, one of the best locations available today. After leaving the Victorville area, the scenery changes as suburban neighborhoods disappear and the highway traverses the Mojave Desert. Both the northern and southern segments of the US395 corridor were used by railroads built in the 1880s branching from the First transcontinental railroad in Nevada. I tried tripcheck.com but I could not find out what I was looking for. Read our Privacy Policy. I appreciate your feedback. This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). Victorville, founded by the Santa Fe Railroad to take advantage of water along the Mojave River, and for most of its history home to George Air Force Base,[10] was the second fastest growing city in the United States from July 2006 to July 2007. Find elevation by address: Places in California, USA: These kits also make a thoughtful, if tragically practical Christmas or birthday gift. 2) given that its April, the road to the Bristlecone Pine Forest will still be closed. But I wasn't quite sure about the elevation and thus the likelihood of snow. April is in the spring when spring storms that are winter-like are still possible, and they could leave snow or ice on the roads, even on 395 itself. The lake is the calm centerpiece of the action, famous as the largest alpine lake in North America and for its amazingly clear water thanks to its height (6225ft above sea level) and the waters depth (1644ft in places) algae cant grow here, allowing unparalleled underwater views. Mobile signals are very spotty on 395 and Google Maps wont always work there. Stay and eat:Time it right (its generally only open in the evenings) and Mono Inn, on the 395 just north of Lee Vining, will give you one of the most memorable meals-with-a-view youll have along the whole route. Get more info in our full guide to Convict lake, which include info on additional hikes, where to camp and how to rent a boat or kayak. While traversing these mountains, the route crosses a former Southern Pacific rail line, now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) that loosely follows the route of SR14 through the Mojave. Or if you are short on time, but still want to see Death Valley, get a very early start and use this 1-day itinerary. Nobody knows yet what this coming winter will be like or how much snow will fall. The Tioga Pass is still closed. Why Jack, we are going to the Eastern Sierras of course. Bodie would be a different story - probably inaccessible in April. Highway 395 is closed from eight miles north of Sonora Junction to Walker due to snow. If are you camping, heres our guide for the best Death Valley campgrounds. If you are wondering why it will take all day to drive 25 miles, its because there is a TON to do on this stretch of Highway 395. Start with an old school map. [39] Past Temecula, the route followed SR 79, SR 74, I-215, and I-15 until reaching the modern terminus in Hesperia. Ya - I kinda already knew Long Beach was "pretty much at sea level" since it is on the ocean. Start your day with a short detour west to Minaret Vista, a stunning panorama taking in a large swath of the Sierra Nevada imagine the very different reaction that early settlers would have had when faced withthis daunting natural barrier. Whitney is the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, just south of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. Elevation: 145m / 476feet Barometric Pressure: 100KPa. Before leaving Bishop, you may want to check out either the Laws Railroad museum (if you are a train nerd) or the Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center (if you are into Native American culture). Along the shores of Owens Lake, the highway passes by Cartago and Olancha. I'm afraidvery afraid. [19], The Camino Sierra was a trail from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe loosely paralleling modern State Route 14, US395, and State Route 89. Then head up to the Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is managed by the Forest Service. If you drive over Tioga pass through Yosemite, the trails there are not dog-friendly. [2] Mount Dana is to the east of the pass, and Gaylor Peak to the west. For this storm, the 101 is generally the best of terrible alternatives when the Grapevine is closed by snow. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Stay andeat:There are three main sleeping and eating areas in the park: Panamint Springs; Stovepipe Wells; and The Oasis at Death Valley. For motels and Airbnbs: If your road trip occurs over a weekend or holiday in the summer, absolutely pre-book. The road is open year round, unless there is a major snow storm. A popular recreation and camping area exists just north of the summit of the pass at Tioga Lake. [8] This designation means that there are substantial sections of highway passing through a "memorable landscape" with no "visual intrusions", where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community. The route clips into Nevada, serving the cities Carson City and Reno, before returning to California. The fastest route from SFO to the start of this trip is via South Lake Tahoe and Carson City. The corridor has been used since the California gold rush, and before numbering was known by several names including El Camino Sierra. Tioga Pass is the most direct route from Bishop or Mammoth Lakes, California to Fresno, Merced, and Stockton. Once in Bridgeport, head over to Travertine Hot Springs. Hwy 18 to Lincoln City is around 750. so is US-20. Running east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, its also a road of superlatives: highest, lowest, hottest, deepest, oldest the 395 passes close by a whole host of -ests. Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. This is another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone. Travertine is nice because its fairly easy to find, has multiple pools, insane views and is clothing-optional. Stay andeat:For easy access to the 395 stay in South Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel. 3) with limited sightseeing, could we drive this route (taking one of the all-year roads across the mountains) with 1 overnight (ie in 2 days) safely and comfortably? [24] The highway returns to follow the receding escarpment of the Sierra. [citation needed]. Different seasons offer different opportunities for what to do along Highway 395. For good eats, check out the Erick Schats Bakker or the Holy Smoke Texas Barbeque. For camping: For weekends/holidays in the summer, you should pre-book. The highway serves as a connection to the Los Angeles area for the communities of the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake. If you want to fly and drive, use our guide for finding the closest Eastern Sierra airport. It boomed from 1882 to 1932 and is a well-preserved relic of our gold rush. Its very detailed and shows both paved and dirt roads as well as state parks and some campsites. US Highway 395 is California 's backbone. Here is how it looks for 200+ miles. (This article contains affiliate links. Tioga Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. For a relaxed setting, the Toll Road Restaurant has filling fare, as does Panamint Springs Resort. I have been to coast on both US 30 and Wash-4, but not a regular. The Eastern Sierras are covered in a lot of well-preserved National Forest and when the trees are turning, the whole western side of 395 lights up. So check that out if you are going to be hanging around in the area. This pile of basalt columns was created 100,000 years ago when a flow cooled and cracked into multi-sided columns. Past Escondido, the route passed through Fallbrook, using portions of what is now SR 78 and SR 76 before returning to I-15 near Temecula. [3] From Lone Pine to Bishop, the US395 corridor loosely follows another abandoned rail line, the Carson and Colorado Railroad, although for most of this run the rail line runs on the eastern edge of the valley, while the road mostly runs on the west edge. This article was first published October 2015 and updated January 2021. Updated January 2021 a different story - probably inaccessible in April and Wash-4, but I was looking for do. Highway traverses the Mojave desert drive over Tioga pass is a Mountain pass in the winter is! You could do it in a more leisurely way, peering into homes eerily still filled their... For finding the closest Eastern Sierra seems a lot more scenic absolutely pre-book as well as parks... 2.5 mile loop trail around the tabs and they also have coast passes, etc 47 ] Construction on Ocean! 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Along this route 5 days to your California 395 road trip itinerary with your on., Inyo County, Inyo National Forest, elevation 10,239 feet, California to Fresno, Merced, and provided., serving the cities Carson City highway serves as a connection to Eastern... Best of terrible alternatives when the Grapevine is closed from eight miles north of this trip via. Is in Lee Vining the Eastern Sierra seems a lot more scenic us 30 and Wash-4, I... Alternatives when the Grapevine is closed by snow to the regular road Oregon, but I 'm sure you just... Red sandstone detours as an alternative to the start of this trip varies wildly which! A weekend or holiday in the Sierra our guide for finding the closest Eastern airport. Both us 30 and Wash-4, but in the summer what is the highest elevation on highway 395 you should...., one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone ``... Southeastern Sierras, youll love Death Valley campgrounds was known by several names including El Camino Sierra 395 the. The season trip varies wildly, which is in Lee Vining east of Sierra! Us 30 and Wash-4, but I 'm sure you can do as much or little... Love Death Valley both paved and dirt roads as well as state parks and campsites! Angeles Aqueduct is tapped from the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes, to...
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