395 California guard rails?

[Yogidog]

I hope to someday give back all the help I get on here.

I am using a free maps com elevation finder looking at routes, national forests, with advice I have gotten earlier.

Does anyone know if there are guardrails along 395 or to national forests?. I would imagine not all the way.

I know where this fear started and it is irrating, about five years back went on cross country trip with 75 year old parents, New Mexico to four corners to Denver and Michigan in backseat, while they argued whoever was driving looking at the other, sweating thinking about it.

I believe in overcoming my fears but not all at once. I will miss the coolest places if I do t do it though

Thanks!




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[DannyB1954]

I lived in California for over 30 years. I have done hundreds of trips through the Sierras on motorcycles, cars, small trucks and an RV. Many places there are no guardrails. With motorcycles and probably other vehicles the rule is you will go where you look. Staying on the road is not difficult, but if you fixate on the edge, you will tend to go there. If you are driving ignore the scenery and use the pull outs to enjoy the views. Look ahead and at the road divider line. I would not get too close to that either, (On curves opposing drivers often get sloppy).

395 is a good road and even large vehicles do not have a problem. Highway 120 heading East out of Yosemite is a steep grade. if you are on that just take your time giving your brakes time to cool and down shift the transmission to let the engine help with the braking. If cars start to gather behind you, just find a place to pull over to let them pass. The locals who drive these mountain roads are quite comfortable with them and will want to go faster. Let them.

With your situation I would not go West on Highway 108. Highway 4 is a little further to the North and is better, but is still 2 lane and curvey. If you give me an idea where you are and where you are going, I may be able to be more specific to your needs.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You might want to look into this site's publications:

http://www.mountaindirectory.com/

IIRC, Bob recommended the printed book to us . . .

 

[highdesertranger]

I am a regular on US 395. for the most part it is a good road. you have to pay attention just like any other mountain road. the biggest danger I feel is the jerks who think like it's a raceway. there have been some horrific accidents on 395. http://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/31/us/19-dead-22-injured-in-bus-crash-in-sierra-nevada.html . but this can be said for almost anywhere. so just be careful, drive defensively. like Danny said don't fixate on the edge. this is an old off road motorcycle trick, if you are driving on a narrow path and there is a rock part way on the path pick your course and drive past the rock, DO NOT look at the rock(fixate on it) or you will hit it. that is true believe me. highdesertranger

 

[Yogidog]

I lived in California for over 30 years. I have done hundreds of trips through the Sierras on motorcycles, cars, small trucks and an RV. Many places there are no guardrails. With motorcycles and probably other vehicles the rule is you will go where you look. Staying on the road is not difficult, but if you fixate on the edge, you will tend to go there. If you are driving ignore the scenery and use the pull outs to enjoy the views. Look ahead and at the road divider line. I would not get too close to that either, (On curves opposing drivers often get sloppy).

395 is a good road and even large vehicles do not have a problem. Highway 120 heading East out of Yosemite is a steep grade. if you are on that just take your time giving your brakes time to cool and down shift the transmission to let the engine help with the braking. If cars start to gather behind you, just find a place to pull over to let them pass. The locals who drive these mountain roads are quite comfortable with them and will want to go faster. Let them.

With your situation I would not go West on Highway 108. Highway 4 is a little further to the North and is better, but is still 2 lane and curvey.  If you give me an idea where you are and where you are going, I may be able to be more specific to your needs.

Super helpful about not looking over the edge. I know where I am but not sure where I am going reno to somewhere looking at options. Ggwoman and I have tentitive plans around 15 of Sept maybe flagstaff. I returned a pm earlier today but not sure if they send right away or sit there, so I don't know if they got it. If I was going to lake Mead area would that avoid the winding mountains? I am getting used to 90 during day not sure about adjusting to hot nights though from michigan.

 

[DannyB1954]

Super helpful about not looking over the edge. I know where I am but not sure where I am going reno to somewhere looking at options. Ggwoman and I have tentitive plans around 15 of Sept maybe flagstaff. I returned a pm earlier today but not sure if they send right away or sit there, so I don't know if they got it. If I was going to lake Mead area would that avoid the winding mountains? I am getting used to 90 during day not sure about adjusting to hot nights though from michigan.

Lake Mead is very hot. Usually at least 10 degrees over Las Vegas. A more scenic road trip would be to go South through California. If you never seen Yosemite, it is worth a look. Glacier Point is quite majestic. From Reno you can go West on highway  50 to Placerville. along the  way maybe camp near Pollock Pines, (look up Sly Park Recreation area). Placerville is a good stop for food.  From there meander down Highway 49, (more like rural 49).  Heading south on 49 you will go through all the old gold towns like Sutter Creek, Columbia, Jamestown. Part of Columbia is now a free State Park and on weekends they have period actors and even a stage coach ride, (additional cost). 
You will drive through old Sonora, but to get to the new part, (walmart) you will need to jog East on 180, (only about 2 or three miles, Starbucks and grocery stores there too.

Heading South from there stay on 49, (branches off from 108), the sign will say Chinese Camp. then take 120 through Groveland. 
Stay on the main road to Groveland, (New priest Grade).  Old Priest Grade is a very steep climb. This will take you to Yosemite. Try to get there early in the morning. There is a lot to see, and chances of getting a campsite may not be good. There is a fee to get in, but it is worth it. Don't bypass Glacier Point. I think it is a must see. A number of waterfalls can be easily hiked to in the valley from the main roads. 
Get back on 120 East. leaving the park the road gets steep, (already told you that part). Nothing to panic about, Just go slow. From there 395 South. Mono lake is interesting and just a short distance from the 120 / 395 intersection. I think there is dispersed camping in that area.  Then on to Mammoth Lakes area, or take Highway120E to Tonapah if you are in a hurry.

 

[DannyB1954]

Should have also said gasoline is very expensive in Yosemite. Fill up in Sonora, then top off in Groveland. The cheapest gas in Groveland is just after the top of Priest Grade. It will be on your right. If you go the Tonopah route just get enough Gas in Benton if you need it to make it to Tonopah, (gas is a lot cheaper there). I don't know about getting gas going South on 395.

Also your question about avoiding mountains going South on 395 from Reno. The answer is yes you would, but there is not much to see. 95 South may be the quickest route, and the gasoline is probably going to be cheaper as well. All along 395 and California border figure paying a dollar a gallon more for fuel. Fill up in Carson City if you South on 395. The biggest towns have the lower prices. The small towns know they gotcha. Not much competition there.

 

[Yogidog]

This is incredible information, can't thank u enough, all I have to do is enjoy it. Hope your day is a good one!

 

[Yogidog]

I am a regular on US 395.  for the most part it is a good road.  you have to pay attention just like any other mountain road.  the biggest danger I feel is the jerks who think like it's a raceway.  there have been some horrific accidents on 395.   http://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/31/us/19-dead-22-injured-in-bus-crash-in-sierra-nevada.html .  but this can be said for almost anywhere.  so just be careful,  drive defensively.  like Danny said don't fixate on the edge.  this is an old off road motorcycle trick,  if you are driving on a narrow path and there is a rock part way on the path pick your course and drive past the rock,  DO NOT look at the rock(fixate on it)  or you will hit it.  that is true believe me.   highdesertranger

I always appreciate your generosity with knowledge and experience u even share scrapping secrets!

 

[wagoneer]

Gas get's cheap near Bishop 2.57 at the diesel pump couple months ago. gotta big tank so das a good thing

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I returned a pm earlier today but not sure if they send right away or sit there, so I don't know if they got it.

They sit on the board until the next time she logs on, at which point she will hopefully notice that she has an unread Private Message.

 

[highdesertranger]

Bishop is a good place to fuel up. actually try not to get fuel between the Topaz Lake Casino(right on the border) and Bishop. those prices will scare you. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

I've been the length of 395 and I don't recall any scary sections. It handles big rigs easily. There are decent shoulders. The only part I don't like is the long steep grade north out of Bishop. I have to be in 2nd gear most of the way.

 

[waldenbound]

Speaking of 395, how scary is the big drop/climb near Mono Lake? Is that one a cliff hanger?

 

[highdesertranger]

it's not bad, that's Conway summit. you should have seen it 40 years ago it's been upgraded. there is a gold mining area and the turn off is right off the switchback you can only make the turn going uphill don't even try it going down hill. highdesertranger