New course laid out. Looking for...

[gnarledwolf]

Ok, The new course starting in a few weeks, is laid out. I'm speaking from ignorance so someone please set me strait as far as reality goes on this plan.
Quartzsite up 95 through Barstow, then up 395 and 178 into Kernville. Hoping to re-gas up and start up through national forest roads, hopefully free-camping through Sequoia, then Inyo National forests on up to Yosemite National Park, then out on 120 to 580 and into San Francisco for a day, then on up north.  I want to do lots of exploration as long as it doesn't cost a lot of money other than food and fuel, and see any interesting excisions anyone might suggest along that path.

 

[highdesertranger]

well being winter some of those roads probably are not open. there is a storm blowing in today(3/5/16). they expect between 1-3 of snow in the Sierras, when the storm passes it will get butt cold. highdesertranger

 

[gnarledwolf]

yep, that's why we are waiting a few weeks... unless those storms will still be blowing in closer to April?  I don't know this coast well enough to judge that from experience.

 

[highdesertranger]

the only places to cross the Sierras is Walker pass or I-80 until June or July, also many of the high elevation roads are closed. it's really not the time of year for boondocking in the Sierras. a better alternative might be US-395, it will be open but north of Bishop could still be a lot of snow. I say "might be" because a storm can blow in like this one and create havoc. so what ever route you take be prepared, there could be chain restrictions and you could find yourself stuck in bitter cold weather for a few days or more. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

From my experience, it works better to have a general direction in mind but no set schedule or routes. Nature doesn't give a hoot about our plans. It's going to do what it wants, so we need to be adaptable.

 

[GotSmart]

yep, that's why we are waiting a few weeks... unless those storms will still be blowing in closer to April?  I don't know this coast well enough to judge that from experience.

I have seen a foot of snow on Donner Pass in the middle of April.  Just keep an eye on the weather.

 

[akrvbob]

I love the drive up 395, one of my favorite drives in the country!

Having said that, you'll save $1 a gallon or more if you drive through Nevada instead of California.
Bob

 

[rvpopeye]

Ditto what Bob , Mr Noodly and HDR said, they just posted first !

 

[gnarledwolf]

I love the drive up 395, one of my favorite drives in the country!

Having said that, you'll save $1 a gallon or more if you drive through Nevada instead of California.
Bob

395 is a great route, we came down here on that route, but we were hoping to see something else... most of that drive is desert rock.  Our ultimate goal is to hit San Francisco in a few months and go up the coast from there.  I don't mind some cold.... gotten damn used to the low 30's over the last several months, but not really interested in snow.  Our season here is ending... so we have to do something...

 

[USExplorer]

I'm traveling in the opposite direction of your general path, working my way down from San Fran to Ridgecrest and Death Valley. I'm currently by Lake Isabella. There is snow above 6000 feet in the Sierras and above 7500 all the roads are still closed. The route I just took was 155 over the Greenhorn Mtns, cresting out at 6200 feet. I'd recommend it as a scenic drive unless you want to hit Bakersfield on the 178. Some snow but the road was clear.

At Sequoia NM the best groves are snowed in. Yose valley is open but the rest of the park is still snowed in. M56 is closed, Western Divide Highway is closed. Generals Highway in Sequoia NP is closed. I would recommend traveling up the eastern side of the Central Valley. it is very pastoral and uncrowded away from the 99 corridor. Great weather too. Most roads close to the mountains tend to travel perpendicular to them through river valleys, so heading north-west will require plenty of zig-zagging. Be aware that most all of the forest roads in the western Sierras are gated or snowed in.

Route 130 over the Diablo coast range to San Jose is a scenic route, a last taste of nature before hitting the Bay Area sprawl. After hitting Yosemite take the back roads east through Turlock and Patterson and hit Del Puerto Canyon Road. This route is heavily posted against camping though, so plan to spend the night in the Valley or in San Jose.

It costs $30 to drive into Yosemite. A round trip from Mariposa to Yose valley on the YARTS bus is $12 (park admission included), plus you save 80 miles of driving.

The fifth largest tree in the world is a few hundred yards off a paved road up in a private inholding in the Sequoia NM. If you want to visit it take 190 up into the mountains from Springville and stop at Camp Nelson for exact directions. Don't go if the weather is foul.

When you get to San Francisco try to curb camp on the west side of the city, where parking is far less strict. You may still be hassled though. San Fran has a very good municipal bus system, two bucks and a quarter each ride, so if you want to check out downtown it is your best option. Choose your area first, it is a big city with a lot of variety. Alternately you can take the BART train from the East Bay or San Mateo area and avoid trying to find parking in San Francisco altogether. Four to ten bucks each way.

If you have any questions about specifics feel free to PM me.

 

[gnarledwolf]

I'm traveling in the opposite direction of your general path, working my way down from San Fran to Ridgecrest and Death Valley. I'm currently by Lake Isabella. There is snow above 6000 feet in the Sierras and above 7500 all the roads are still closed. The route I just took was 155 over the Greenhorn Mtns, cresting out at 6200 feet. I'd recommend it as a scenic drive unless you want to hit Bakersfield on the 178. Some snow but the road was clear.

At Sequoia NM the best groves are snowed in. Yose valley is open but the rest of the park is still snowed in. M56 is closed, Western Divide Highway is closed. Generals Highway in Sequoia NP is closed. I would recommend traveling up the eastern side of the Central Valley. it is very pastoral and uncrowded away from the 99 corridor. Great weather too. Most roads close to the mountains tend to travel perpendicular to them through river valleys, so heading north-west will require plenty of zig-zagging. Be aware that most all of the forest roads in the western Sierras are gated or snowed in.

Route 130 over the Diablo coast range to San Jose is a scenic route, a last taste of nature before hitting the Bay Area sprawl. After hitting Yosemite take the back roads east through Turlock and Patterson and hit Del Puerto Canyon Road. This route is heavily posted against camping though, so plan to spend the night in the Valley or in San Jose.

It costs $30 to drive into Yosemite. A round trip from Mariposa to Yose valley on the YARTS bus is $12 (park admission included), plus you save 80 miles of driving.

The fifth largest tree in the world is a few hundred yards off a paved road up in a private inholding in the Sequoia NM. If you want to visit it take 190 up into the mountains from Springville and stop at Camp Nelson for exact directions. Don't go if the weather is foul.

When you get to San Francisco try to curb camp on the west side of the city, where parking is far less strict. You may still be hassled though. San Fran has a very good municipal bus system, two bucks and a quarter each ride, so if you want to check out downtown it is your best option. Choose your area first, it is a big city with a lot of variety. Alternately you can take the BART train from the East Bay or San Mateo area and avoid trying to find parking in San Francisco altogether. Four to ten bucks each way.

If you have any questions about specifics feel free to PM me.

How soon is it possible to take national forest roads up to Yosimite area? I wasn't actually planning to curb park anywhere.... really hard to do with two people in an eclipse.... but a way to park outside the city and take a bus or train into the city for a day would be great! Is there any BLM type camping within range of a train or bus into the city?  We'd have to get in as early as we could and back out before night.