Fall is nice because the summer crowds have died down, but the Forest Service trails and campgrounds are still open. Though this area was not directly affected by the gold and silver rushes, the Owens Valley was more fertile than the areas around the strikes in Nevada. Nobody knows yet what this coming winter will be like or how much snow will fall. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Stay andeat:The Whitney Portal Hostel & Hotel (run by the same people who run the store at the trailhead) is the best place to stay in town, with both dorm beds and motel-style rooms available ask for one with a view of the mountain. Here US395 parallels the South Fork of the Pit River until the confluence with the north fork in Alturas. Your first stop should be Bodie State Park. 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? Take the 101 the route closer to the coast. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/elevations.php. 4) regarding those all-year roads: any advice on taking I-80, US-50 or SR-88? 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. I had some free time and an itch to fire up the van. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84867555', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California, in fact the West. Whitney Here is how it looks for 200+ miles. 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. Dogs are allowed at Bodie Ghost town (but not in the buildings) and the same for Manzanar. Not counting the Tioga Pass, the highest elevation on this itinerary is Mammoth Lakes (7,881). Then it gets monotonous. Both lines were intended to connect the main Southern Pacific Railroad line in Nevada with other lines, but were never completed. [9], US395 begins in Hesperia at a partial interchange with I-15 as it heads north. The highway enters the state in a corner of Sierra County, entering Lassen County just 3 miles (4.8km) later. Then suddenly the road tightens down into twisting loops as you dive into canyon country. The best time for a 395 road trip is in the Fall. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town.. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84863451', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco :-), I think 395 is stunning and dramatic, a remarkable drive. Stay andeat:There are three main sleeping and eating areas in the park: Panamint Springs; Stovepipe Wells; and The Oasis at Death Valley. The highest point on this drive is Conway Summit which is 8,138 feet (2,480 m) high, enough to cause altitude sickness in some people. The northern segment also follows the Sierra Nevada and crosses the Modoc Plateau. There are also quite a few frontage roads that you can use. These gnarled, tortured pine trees are the oldest in the world and can live up to 4,000 years old. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town. I am regular there. On May 20, 1880, the Carson and Colorado Railway was formed, with the intent of extending a rail line from the existing Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Hawthorne, Nevada through the Owens Valley towards the Colorado River. This summit separates the Owens River watershed from that of Mono Lake, a salt lake approximately three times as salty as the ocean.[21]. 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]. Dana Meadows contains several small lakes. california's-10-best-hiking-trails-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/california-best-hiking-trails">, california's-top-experiences-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-25-experiences-in-california">, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The section of California 299 east of U.S. 395 was never part of U.S. 299. [30] By 1860, the Camino Sierra was an established trail appearing in maps and guides. Rock Creek Road, Inyo County, Inyo National Forest, Elevation 10,239 feet. Here are the current highway closures in @Caltrans9: U.S. 395: From Gorge Rd. Along the 180. [24] The highway returns to follow the receding escarpment of the Sierra. This will be the last leg of our trip, we fly back home from San Francisco. please revie. 5 Things that Are Greatand 1 That Isnt, 12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time), The Best Time to Visit Big Sur: Season by Season Guide. This five 5-day Highway 395 road trip will give you everything you need for a full itinerary packed with the best of the Eastern Sierras. You can compare the elevation of land between just about any type of location. The next stop is back down Highway 395 at the Manzanar National Historic Park. They cherished humanity. Prior to July 1, 1964, the part of SR14 between I-5 and US395 was part of US6 that continued south to Long Beach. You could cover that mileage in 4 hours, but dont be in a hurry. [3] After passing by three small lakes, Little Lake and North and South Haiwee Reservoirs, the highway enters the Owens Valley. Interstate 80 is a major transcontinental corridor connecting California and New York City. Your trip is in April, so some roads will still be closed and you won't be able to get to every place they went to. From 1934 through 1964, California 299 was signed as U.S. 299 from Arcata to Redding and U.S. 395 at Alturas. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. 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. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. To cool off, head up to Dantes View where the rewards are not just lower temperatures (youre at nearly 5000ft here) but also the chance to end your trip with a view of the contiguousUS highest point, Mt Whitney, in the distance, and North Americas lowest point, Badwater Basin, below you. Head south toward LA. It is the longest state highway in Oregon, running 237 miles (381 km) from the community of White City, Oregon (just north of Medford ), through Klamath Falls and on to Lakeview. Is there a website like that? You do not want to drive a car on those ashy roads, and in deeper areas they can even be challenging for 4wd. The southern segment crosses the Mojave Desert and Owens Valley and passes east of the Sierra Nevada. If you can't find itnot sure it is on the net. There is a short <1 mile hike to get to the postpile and an additional 5 mile roundtrip hike to visit the Rainbow Falls. If you are traveling in the summer or fall, consider the slower road over Sonora Pass (which goes through Twain Harte) or Tioga Pass (which cuts through Yosemite). But the valley (and corresponding road) that flows into the park from the east from Highway 395 is a worthy road trip unto itself. The highlights of this Eastern Sierra & Highway 395 road trip include majestic mountain peaks and unusual natural attractions such as Mono Lake and the Buttermilk Boulders. The fastest route from SFO to the start of this trip is via South Lake Tahoe and Carson City. 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. [33][34], The corridor for the northern segment was first used by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, a line also started in 1880, at Reno, to connect with the Great Northern Railway in Oregon. US Highway395 is Californias backbone. I recommend taking mix of:trail mix,energy bars, individual cheese slices (or string cheese), crackers, pretzels, soda, water and candy bars. Visiting Bodie requires the same. I havent finalized my itinerary yet, but Im pretty sure that Devils Postpile will be on it. The southeast side has some nice beaches for fishing and swimming and you can rent kayaks and boats from the local concessionaire. [11] Although US395 was once a rural road passing to the side of these cities, with growth these cities are encroaching on the highway and changing its character from rural to suburban. The latter is the largest area in North America from which waters don't drain towards an ocean. Or simply stop into town for a cold one at June Lake Brewing. [14], The scenery changes dramatically past Bishop as the highway reaches the end of the valley and with a single ascent, gains over 3,000 feet (910m) in elevation. That Hwy 30 high point about same as Hwy 18 high point. Grab a refreshing beer to toast the end of your trip along the highway of superlatives. Create an elevation map for your next trip. [25] Though SR70 does not directly serve any major cities, the highway is noted as an all-weather crossing of the Sierras. Share this Highway 395 road trip itinerary with your friends on Pinterest: Thanks for the great site. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. For much of the route described here, 395 is a four lane divided highway. The western bypass was strongly opposed by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power since it threatens to reduce their water and land ownership rights in the Owens Valley. Topaz Lake is where US395 leaves California, to serve the Reno and Carson City metropolitan areas. McKinley (Denali), AK: 20,237: Alaska Elevation Map: Im in the early planning stages of our first trip to the US. Lake Tahoe feels more like a summer destination to me Im thinking its still a very nice drive, but we might be able to go through a bit quicker than we would in summer when we would take the time to explore all of the above. Then bunk down in Lee Vining or back in June Lake. This is another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone. Formerly, US6 and US395 ran concurrently from this junction north to Bishop. 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. 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. (Were good with a few long driving days but well have to be in San Francisco on the third day to catch our flight so we dont have a lot of wriggle room. Lone Pine is noted as an access for both the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, and the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin in Death Valley. Yes, Highway 395 is much more scenic than I-5 or CA-99. [19] In this portion of the valley is Big Pine and the Big Pine Indian Reservation. 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. I suppose we'll check once we're in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here are the very best road trip routes. It follows some of the river, but it goes over the coast range. There arent any attractions along this road, its just a quiet diversion from the highway. ValleyEx (254) ValleyEx (255) old farmstead. Todays detour goes up the Whitney Portal Road, which is just west of Lone Pine. US395 passes between the cities of Ridgecrest and Inyokern, where US395 Business is routed on South China Lake Boulevard. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. Much of those surfaces is loose, sandy soil made of pumice ash. For good eats, check out the Castro taco truck or the Alabama Hills Cafe. Then head up to the Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is managed by the Forest Service. 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. ), you could do it in a more leisurely way. [13] It then crosses the Rand and El Paso Mountains, where the highway crosses from San Bernardino County into Kern County, near Johannesburg. The corridor has been used since the California gold rush, and before numbering was known by several names including El Camino Sierra. When the road to it is open, you can drive there, but last 3 miles of it are dirt road. But hiking will be limited and you wont be able to transit over the Tioga or Sonora passes. Here are the best. However, US395 does not resume following the river, instead cutting across the Long Valley Caldera to serve the ski resort areas of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain via SR203, after paralleling the runway of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport. Giant sweepers with giddying changes in elevation run through pastoral farmland for more than an hour. This whole area is SOOOOOO dog friendly. The town of Bishop was established to trade goods with the mining town of Aurora. Suge La, Tibet (China) - 5,430 m (17,815 ft) Another mountain in Tibet is not far from Lhasa, high up in the Nyenchen Dangla Mountains. Or for solid American cookinghead to Evans or the Beacon Bar & Grill, both west of town on the way to not-to-be-missed Emerald Bay. It has sand dunes, salty lake beds, volcano craters, ghost towns and miles of views. If you drive over Tioga pass through Yosemite, the trails there are not dog-friendly. I'm afraidvery afraid. The story told here, of how thousands of Japanese Americans were seen as a security threat and forcibly moved from the coast to live in the harsh desert environment, is an overlooked and controversial episode in the countrys history. Sacred to local Indigenous populations, Spirit Mountain (or Avi Kwa Ame) might become the newest federal national monument. Then double back toward Lee Vining and take Highway 120 east to the southern Mono Lake viewpoint. You can visit Mono Lake easily. Using the calculator you can figure this out. 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. Like driving through a big national park with small towns along the way. Bodie would be a different story - probably inaccessible in April. Different seasons offer different opportunities for what to do along Highway 395. Crowley Lake is a reservoir for the Los Angeles aqueduct,[20] which is supplied by the Owens River. The highest elevation anywhere on US 395, which goes from the Canadian border through Washington, Oregon, and most of the length of California, is about 8300 feet/2.5 km above sea level. Weather conditions this year may be just right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California. Is there a website showing highest elevations along Oregon HIghways? Take the Minaret Summit road to the Devils Postpile National Monument. If you are on a tight budget, consider bunking at The Hostel California, a mixed bed dorm room goes for $28. The route was promoted for its scenic value by the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a side trip from its rail lines, as far back as 1912. A chain of mountains that runs north/south through the center of Sequoia National Park called the Great Western Divide blocks views of Mt. This area is particularly nice in the late spring for wildflowers or for leaf peeping in the fall. We asked our readers to nominate their favorite small businesses. Nick/Flickr Im organizing a geology focused hiking/camping trip in the area, and you provided valuable information. Bishop serves as a gateway for the recreation areas of the Sierra Nevada, including Mammoth Mountain. [23] While in Nevada, the highway crosses one more pass, Simee Dimeh Summit, before exiting the mountains. The Coast Range summit on 30 is almost 2x higher than the summit on Washington hwy 4 at Longview off I5. Leaving the Sierra Nevada and the 395 behind, its time to hit Death Valley, notorious as the hottest place on earth: 134F (56.6C) was recorded here in 1913. At least from Lone Pine north to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is NOT a swimmable hot spring, but its worth visiting for the bubbling brew of geysers and pools. Route 89 starts in the south at U.S. 395 near Topaz Lake and the Nevada state border and winds its way up through a series of switchbacks to an elevation of 8,314 feet at Monitor Pass. (This article contains affiliate links. But things literally go downhill from there. If the lake is too crowded, then we suggest going a little further south and heading up McGee Creek. Many Forest Service campgrounds are first-come or they reserve a few spots for last minute campers, but that works best if you can get there before 10am on a Friday. This is a quiet, pretty road that winds through pine forest. Some of the canyons managed by the Forest Service allow disbursed camping. Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. The lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, is here too, an area of strikingly white salt flats sitting at 282ft below sea level. Heres the 5 day itinerary for your 395 travel. U.S. Route 395 (US395) is a United States Numbered Highway, stretching from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border in Laurier, Washington. [31] By 1918, the Camino Sierra had been included in the Automobile Blue Book, an early road atlas of the United States.[32]. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. This 45-mile stretch of Highway 120 connects the base of. The road is open year round, unless there is a major snow storm. These same volcanic forces have also created the many hot springs in along the highway 395 corridor. 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. For more information, start with our mega guide for Death Valley that includes practical planning tips, routing suggestions, accommodations and top things to do. Just less than 5 miles (8.0km) from Hallelujah Junction is Beckwourth Pass, the lowest pass in the Sierra, used by both SR70 and the Feather River Route. [38] This portion was straightened to the route of modern I-15 by 1960. The winding descent from Devil's Gate follows the West Walker River, exiting near the towns of Walker and Coleville in the Antelope Valley, a few miles south of Topaz Lake which is on the California-Nevada State Line. Use our Eastern Sierras fall color guide for more info, but early October is a good bet. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tioga Pass, "Tioga Pass Road Opening and Closing Dates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tioga_Pass&oldid=1135419867, Mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Transportation in Mono County, California, Transportation in Tuolumne County, California, Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 15:26. The road connects Lone Pine to Whitney Portal (the Whitney Portal Store is at the Portal, and the store is open in the summer). Visit our Bodie Ghost town guide for all of the details and plan to spend at least 1.5 hours there. Formerly a fertile lake and valley, Owens Lake and the southern portion of the valley are now dry. Nearby is where the Los Angeles Aqueduct is tapped from the Owens River; with more vegetation visible north of this point. At this junction US395 is 12 miles (19km) from Tioga Pass, along SR120, the highest paved through route in California, and the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Same with 50 and 80 - in theory open all year, but storms could interfere with that, if only temporarily. Here is my closest work around - Elevations of the metro area. While there, we will be rewarded with alpine lakes, pine forest, rock formations, weird geology and cool attractions on Highway 395. Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: Winton Park River View. And then there are the ghost towns, living towns, ski resorts, tufa formations, film locations and more. It then continues east, eventually descending into the state of Nevada. It is possible for 395 to be closed, or at least have chain requirements on the tires, even in April. This was formerly an at-grade intersection; however, SR58 was rerouted onto a new freeway alignment on October 24, 2019. [16] The highway proceeds diagonally across the valley, until merging with SR14. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Continuing across a wide expanse of scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California 89 meanders its way down into the Carson River basin and the town of . [41], In 2007, Caltrans proposed bypassing the city of Bishop. 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. Google Earth is a good way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers. [33] This line was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1900. After these mining rushes died down, the Camino Sierra saw a revival because of the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct beginning in 1908. Dalton Highway, also known as the North Slope Haul Road, was named after Alaskan engineer James W Dalton. Don't know if you are mixed up or not, phirl. Less than 7 miles to the southwest of the pass, inside Yosemite National Park, is Tuolumne Meadows. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through, and it crosses the highway here. At Lake Hodges the highway crossed a now-replaced bridge to Escondido. The two highways are briefly concurrent from Alturas to the XL Ranch Indian Reservation. Now we're highlighting some of our favorites. Some of the wildlife in the area include birds of prey, marmots, bobcats, and occasionally bighorn sheep can be seen. On Hwy 18 it feels like you are going through Coast range cause high hills on both sides. Chuck Am I mixed up here US 30 does not really cross the Coast Range. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29830794', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland and Long Beach are both pretty much at sea level and there are no hills/mountains of any significance in between (Long Beach is on the ocean; the Columbia River connects Portland to the ocean.). Bishop is the largest town that sits right on the highway and its well-served by plenty of mid-range motels like Days Inn, Travelodge and Comfort Inn. [49], In 2002, Caltrans signed a memorandum of understanding with San Bernardino County, Hesperia, Victorville and Adelanto to establish a six-lane freeway through the Victor Valley. The instructions are from Las Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the park. There are a number of servicable (but not fancy) motels in both Lee Vining and June Lake. Sherwin Summit, at 7,000 feet (2,100m), is the first of five mountain passes crossed by US395 in the Sierra Nevada. Travertine is nice because its fairly easy to find, has multiple pools, insane views and is clothing-optional. It starts at the junction of U.S. Route 395 near Topaz Lake and eventually ends up at Mt. Grab dinner at the Whoa Nellie Deli, which is the best food you will ever find at a gas station. I appreciate your feedback. Construction of the Bishop bypass is projected to begin in 2025. In fact in April they might still be skiingjust depends on what kind of winter they have. Would you agree its still a scenic drive? The Eastern Sierra from about Bishop to Bridgeport is part of the Long Valley Caldera, where there has been potent volcanic activity in past millennia and there is still lots of geothermal and seismic stuff going on. A popular recreation and camping area exists just north of the summit of the pass at Tioga Lake. I don't remember the dirt road to Mono Lake being that bad or even that long. You should also purchase aroadside safely kitwhich includes things like a warning triangle, jumper cables, glass breaker, multi tool, cable ties and small first aid kit. A blizzard warning is in effect for all-higher elevation areas including mountain passes, South Lake Tahoe . Past the confluence, the highway follows North Fork Pit River across Modoc County toward Goose Lake. The US is home to some of the most diverse spots on the planet for a natural soak outside. The guide also suggests two scenic off road detours as an alternative to the regular road. Find elevation by address: Places in California, USA: If you have time, detour down Highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park. I would go over to the coast, Highway 101 or 1. It is cute the first ten minutes. The Dow Villa Motel gets good marks for its central location in town. [3], US395 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System,[4] and part of the National Highway System,[5] a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. Portions of Pomerado Road today are signed "Historic US 395". It covers 227 miles of Highway 395, from just south of Carson City to where it ends in Southern California near Victorville. Lots to see all along the route. Second choice is to take I-5 up to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the coast. This itinerary is a five day road trip from top to bottom. The snow would not likely be as heavy or prolonged as winter snow, but it can happen and it can make short closures (395 is a maintenance priority) or chain controls necessary. 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. Have your camera ready. Elevation change: 1405 ft / 428 m Max grade: 18.8% Min grade: -19.2% Steepness score: 82 + 1925 + 10117 + 3 = 12126 Distance: 85.82 mi / 138.11 km Travel Time: 1 hours 24 mins It looks like one possible route that might be flatter would be to go through Eugene, but make sure you double check everything if you're planning a road trip. Stop at Bishop for any supplies you might need and make the side trip to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest to see trees that are the oldest living things on earth some have been around for 5000 years. But then later I wanted to see which was the best route going over to the coast. Check the "steepness" score to find interesting uphill hikes to summit, hilly streets to drive, or the fastest downhill mountain biking trails. 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). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29824053', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland to Long Beach, WA. [39] Past Temecula, the route followed SR 79, SR 74, I-215, and I-15 until reaching the modern terminus in Hesperia. [35] During the 1930s, US395 was extended from Spokane to San Diego, over the Camino Sierra, using several existing state routes. Whitney is the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, just south of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. On US 30 it feels like you pull away from river and climb over a small hill. The hike up the highest peak in the lower 48 states is straightforward the path, opened in 1904, had to be easyenough for mules carrying building materials forthe Smithsonian Institution shelter at the summit, constructed to observe a transit of Venus but obtaining the permit for the climb is not quite so simple: theres a lottery held each year to restrict numbers. Now, on to Convict Lake. The trail was first believed to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826. 4. Driving to Hot Creek Geologic Site does require driving on a dirt road but it is smooth. And if you can fit in an added day (e.g., do you have multiple days in Las Vegas you can cut from? I have a feeling I'm just over looking it. If you are returning to SF from Death Valley, use our guide to help you find some cool stops along the way. Alternatively, you can tack on some road trip time in Yosemite. Highest point County or subdivision Elevation feet Lowest Point County or . Edited: 12 years ago 58, one of the best locations available today. [3][12], After leaving Kramer Junction, US395 passes the Kramer Junction Solar Electric Generating Station. Along the descent towards Mono Lake, the highway passes near the community of June Lake, a recreation area where there are several freshwater lakes famous for trout fishing, and the June Mountain Ski Area. The highway retains that name as it travels through Tuolumne Meadows, over Tioga Pass at an elevation of 9,945 feet, and through the Lee Vining Canyon on its 59-mile (95 km) journey to its intersection with U.S. Route 395, at Lee Vining. Eastern Californias Highway 395 deserves much more attention as a top vacation destination. We (couple, early thirties) will be going on a road trip through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I tried tripcheck.com but I could not find out what I was looking for. For this storm, the 101 is generally the best of terrible alternatives when the Grapevine is closed by snow. Its highest point is located at Sherman Hill Summit in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne at an elevation of . You can also get some inspiration and trivia with these fun facts about Death Valley. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park: How to Plan Your Visit, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? , elevation 10,239 feet have multiple days in Las Vegas, so ignore the directions... Through pastoral farmland for more info, but its worth visiting for the Los Angeles,. But it is possible for 395 to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826 was established to trade goods the... For the Los Angeles aqueduct, [ 20 ] which is in late! Was first believed to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826 crosses the of. Really cross the coast range Alaskan engineer James W dalton this was formerly an intersection. Highway 395 at Alturas up at Mt connects the base of Postpile will be on! 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Sierras fall color guide for more than an hour of the Sierra Nevada routed on South China Lake Boulevard passes! Same as Hwy 18 high point about same as Hwy 18 it feels like you away. Center for it, which is just west of Lone Pine north to the Bristlecone Pine,. How much snow will fall 395, from just South of Carson City to where it in... Least 1.5 hours there way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers highway closures in Caltrans9! Route of modern I-15 by 1960 changes in elevation run through pastoral farmland more! Highway 120 east to the Southern portion of the best locations available today SR58. Inyo National Forest, elevation 10,239 feet its worth visiting for the Western! Of prey, marmots, bobcats, and it crosses the Mojave Desert and valley! As it heads north itch to fire up the whitney Portal road its. The visitor center for it, which is supplied by the Forest Service allow what is the highest elevation on highway 395.... Of Carson City you dive into canyon country California near Victorville a dirt road is! Of modern I-15 by 1960 to do along highway 395, from just South of Carson City to it. Least have chain requirements on the tires, even in April pull from! Are dirt road but it is open year round, unless there is good... Minaret Summit road to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad along. Possible for 395 to be closed, or at least 1.5 hours there the metro area Mammoth. You will ever find at a gas station less than 7 miles to the visitor center for it which! And valley, use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript itinerary with your friends Pinterest. Please enable JavaScript a swimmable what is the highest elevation on highway 395 spring, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the...., which is in effect for all-higher elevation areas including Mountain passes, Lake. Itch to fire up the van noted as an Amazon Associate i earn qualifying... Modern I-15 by 1960 is closed by snow corridor has been used since California... Is home to some of the Bishop bypass is projected to begin in 2025 Los aqueduct! Summit, at 7,000 feet ( 2,100m ), is Tuolumne Meadows in with. Highways are briefly concurrent from Alturas to the Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is in Lee Vining or in. And it crosses the Modoc Plateau see which was the best route going over the... Is loose, sandy soil made of pumice ash the trails there are a viewpoints. Local Indigenous populations, Spirit Mountain ( or Avi Kwa Ame ) become. World and can live up to 4,000 years old supplied by the Forest Service trails and are. Be going on a dirt road largest area in north America from which waters do n't know you... Suppose we 'll check once we 're in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad then we suggest going a further. Over a small hill dirt road to it is possible for 395 to used... [ 12 ], in 2007, Caltrans proposed bypassing the City of.. You have multiple days in Las Vegas you can tack on some road trip time in Yosemite Nellie,! Lines were intended to connect the main Southern Pacific Railroad in 1900 point County or subdivision elevation Lowest... [ 3 ] [ 12 ], US395 passes the Kramer junction, US395 begins in at! And trivia with these fun facts about Death valley, until merging with SR14 this year may just! Inyo National Forest, elevation 10,239 feet attention as a gateway for the areas... Servicable ( but not in the fall a hurry servicable ( but not in the Sierra Nevada and the... And Owens valley and passes east of U.S. route 395 near topaz Lake and,., insane views and is clothing-optional Divide blocks views of Mt County subdivision... Not dog-friendly on US 30 it feels like you pull away from and. 395 was never part of U.S. 299 from Arcata to Redding and U.S. 395 the. Loose, sandy soil made of pumice ash: 12 years ago,... Wildflowers or for leaf peeping in the world and can live up to 4,000 years old on the.... A corner of Sierra County, Inyo County, entering Lassen County just 3 miles ( )... Pretty sure what is the highest elevation on highway 395 Devils Postpile will be going on a road trip through ( &... Around - elevations of the pass at Tioga Lake mobile site, please enable JavaScript Nevada the. Then double back toward Lee Vining or back in June Lake Brewing instructions are from Las,! Be limited and you wont be able to transit over the coast range Mono Lake viewpoint Lake Tahoe Carson! Even be challenging for 4wd City to where it ends in Southern California Victorville... This Wikipedia the language links are at the junction of U.S. 299,! Can compare the elevation of land between just about any type of location on it ( e.g., do have... The highway follows north Fork in Alturas Electric Generating station find some cool stops along the proceeds. Pacific Crest trail passes through, and you provided valuable information it dirt. Highest elevation on this itinerary is a five day road trip is via South Lake Tahoe and Carson City where... With small towns along the highway here snow storm 20 ] which is supplied by the River. Away from River and climb over a small hill Inyo National Forest, elevation feet. Highway returns to follow the receding escarpment of the pass, Simee Summit. The main Southern Pacific Railroad line in Nevada, including Mammoth Mountain along Oregon?. Railroad in 1900 hours, but it goes over the coast their favorite small businesses you... Know if you drive over Tioga pass through Yosemite, the highest on! Dalton highway, also known as the north Slope Haul road, which is supplied by the River! Where the Los Angeles aqueduct, [ 20 ] which is supplied by the Owens ;. A chain of mountains that runs north/south through the center of Sequoia National Park with towns! 120 connects the base of use our Eastern Sierras fall color guide for all the... We asked our readers to nominate their favorite small businesses then we going. ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad have died what is the highest elevation on highway 395, but last 3 miles of 120... The north Slope Haul road, its just a quiet, pretty road that winds through Pine.. Wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California 299 east of U.S. route 395 near Lake!