Need routing suggestions/info

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Next month my wife, 9 year old and myself will be flying into Reno and we need to get down to June Lake, Ca. We will be taking a week long guided horseback trail ride through Northern Yosemite, but I would like to be able to take some scenic roads to get there. I don't have all day to travel, but would be willing to spend up to about four or five hours in the rental car. Not sure if the roads around/near Lake Tahoe are a good bet or perhaps if the better secenery is further south? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I want to be able to maximize the time that we have to see as much as we can since God knows when we'll ever be out that way again!

 

[jwhite518]

Here's a suggestion:

From Reno take Hwy 431 past Mt. Rose to the Nevada side of Tahoe. Follow around the lake on the Nevada side which is very pretty and less traveled than the CA side. Go through the casino town of South Lake Tahoe, which is busy but not too bad, then take Hwy 89 through Luther Pass and Markleeville. Then go down Monitor Pass (still Hwy 89) and you'll end up on US 395. Take that south and make sure to stop at Mono Lake. Don't just stop at a highway turnout, but get off the highway and get close to the lake, there are parks and things. If you want to take a 14 mile gravel road, the ghost town of Bodie is also worth a visit (just north of Mono Lake.) Then you'll go through Lee Vining and see signs for Yosemite (highway 120.) Turn west on 120 for about 1/4 mile and stop at the gas station on that road. It has the best food for miles around. Google "Woah Nellie Deli." Then back on 395 southbound you will see the sign for June Lake Loop, this is a very scenic way to get to the town of June Lake. If rushed for time, skip the northern end of the Loop and take the southern Loop road to the town.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Here's a suggestion: If you want to take a 14 mile gravel road, the ghost town of Bodie is also worth a visit

+1

rental car

great adventure

 

[Kromm]

Here's a suggestion:

If you want to take a 14 mile gravel road, the ghost town of Bodie is also worth a visit (just north of Mono Lake.)

The last I have heard since the state of California is in such financial troubles, Bodie is one of the State parks that has been closed to save money. South on hwy 395 from Reno (about 80 miles) is a very little town called Walker. There is a GREAT burger spot for a nice family lunch. Called Walker Burger. Good food, but a better atmosphere. If you are going to head to Yosemite, it will be on your way.

We do a "lunch run" to walker at least once a year. Here is a link to all my pictures from that adventure.

 

[Bugnatr]

Here's a suggestion:

From Reno take Hwy 431 past Mt. Rose to the Nevada side of Tahoe. Follow around the lake on the Nevada side which is very pretty and less traveled than the CA side. Go through the casino town of South Lake Tahoe, which is busy but not too bad, then take Hwy 89 through Luther Pass and Markleeville. Then go down Monitor Pass (still Hwy 89) and you'll end up on US 395. Take that south and make sure to stop at Mono Lake. Don't just stop at a highway turnout, but get off the highway and get close to the lake, there are parks and things. If you want to take a 14 mile gravel road, the ghost town of Bodie is also worth a visit (just north of Mono Lake.) Then you'll go through Lee Vining and see signs for Yosemite (highway 120.) Turn west on 120 for about 1/4 mile and stop at the gas station on that road. It has the best food for miles around. Google "Woah Nellie Deli." Then back on 395 southbound you will see the sign for June Lake Loop, this is a very scenic way to get to the town of June Lake. If rushed for time, skip the northern end of the Loop and take the southern Loop road to the town.

+1 to Jerry's route.

You pick the best year to do this as we had a BIG snow year and I suspect it will still be green in the high country next month.

Here's my FZ1 at Virginia Lake last Saturday.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Thanks, guys! I actually have mapped out (so far) a route that is a beeline down 395 to get to 108, then head west until 120 and go east back to 395. I initially looked at 431 to see Lake Tahoe, but too much time if I were to do the 108/120 loop, hence I cut out 431.

Would 431 be a better scenic option over 108/120? From looking at some of the ride reports, Tioga pass looks like it'd be one helluva ride!

I'm working the night shift and getting out of work and heading straight to the airport. Travel time will be around 6 hours or so. Our flight lands in Reno around 3:30 Mountain time, which is like 5:30 in my real world (EST) time. This is why I don't want to have to drive for much more than five or six hours max. I just want to be able to maximize the little time I do have to show my wife and kid a part of the country they haven't seen. Plus, I would really prefer to limit night time driving, just because of the unfamiliar territory and the terrain involved.

Given the route of 108 and 120, are there any specific concerns/issues I need to be wary of? Rockslides, wildlife, etc.?

Thanks again for all the info! Mucho apreciado!

 

[Kromm]

You can't go wrong with any of those options. Tioga pass is one of my favorite runs. Just be warned that the speed limit in Yosemite park is 35mph. Not that you would want to go any faster and miss the great views. I've never seen any issues with rock slides with that route. There is wildlife, but anytime you head in to the high country you need to watch out for Deer.

If you have never been through Tioga pass, I think it's a MUST see if you are in the area.

 

[Fairlaner]

Here's a suggestion: If you want to take a 14 mile gravel road, the ghost town of Bodie is also worth a visit

+1

rental car

great adventure

The road to Bodie is now paved all the way.....

R

 

[Bugnatr]

You asked about wildlife, as with many forested areas of the US the damn forest rats are out there and we have more than our share of Black Tail Deer. As usual be extra careful near dawn and dusk, been seeing a **** load of the lately with the fawns up and about.

Just run over the squirrels, they are just fugging putts anyway. :blink:

 

[jwhite518]

The road to Bodie is now paved all the way.....

Seriously?