Yahoo Message Number: 109213 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109213)
I am hoping to go into Yosemite in May and would like to know if anyone used route 140 from Mariposa thru El Portal? Thank You Fritz 1998 Allure 30223
Yahoo Message Number: 109217 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109217)
We have come in from the South Entrance, off of 41. (We had a spot at the Escapees Park of The Sierras, Coarsegold.) We have also come in on 120 off Highway 99. (And, we've exited the park a few times going East on 120 to Lee Vining.)
140 was closed due to a major rockslide, since repaired. We have driven that in our toad, and it is also doable.
Just do some searching on tunnel heights, and be aware of limitations.
Sure some winding roads. But most of the time, the narrow roads are more of a hazard due to the army of Rented Class C's, with their Side Mirrors extended out as far as they can reach. You will see many close calls, and watch the road way - good chance you will see signs of broken mirrors along the roadway:)!
Coming in from the South Entrance, the roads are a bit wider, or seem to me they are.
Going East towards Lee Vining, we've seen at least three mirror to mirror contact. (One time with a gent sitting in the drivers seat pulled over as far as he could get, with traffic backing up behind him - his wife was handing him a towel for blood dripping off of his forehead.)
I find that the group that rent these Class C's, are not aware of where they are in their lanes. They seem to crowd the center line on narrow roadways. I've adopted to techniques to help in these situations: 1) If I see them coming at us (Can't always, due to curves in the roadway.) and they seem to be crowding the line. I'll ease over the line myself, into their lane just a bit, then go back over to my lane. This seems to 'Get their attention.' and they are more cautious when coming towards us for the passing. 2) I've at times, moved over as far to the right as I can. And if I feel the person coming towards me is at risk of hitting us. I will come to a complete stop, until the pass. This also seems to get their attention. And frankly sometimes stops them from sightseeing.
Not knocking them. But way too often they've seem to have just recently picked up their Class C's, and seem to drive them like a car or a pick up truck. (Many fly into the bay area, get their Class C's rental units, and then head directly to Yosemite for the first leg of their trip. So not much driving time.) I also think the rental places extend the mirrors as far as possible, to help them with better rearward viewing. Not a problem on major highways. But they don't seem to caution them to 'pull them in as far as possible' (and still see backwards) when entering tight driving areas. Such as many of the roads in the National Parks.
One of the hazards we all face while driving:)!
Have a good time,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017 (40')
Yahoo Message Number: 109223 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109223)
As usual, Smitty's answers are spot on. I do think that Tioga Pass (Crane Flat to the summit at the east entry station) is the most difficult of the Yosemite roads, but is also the most interesting (along with highway 120 and the Big Oak Flat Road from Groveland) to the valley. The eastward downgrade from the east entry station on Highway 120 is long and severe; take it easy and pull off regularly to view the wonderful scenery and Mono Lake and to cool the brakes. Also, the eastward grade on what I think is called the Big Oak Flat Road from east of Crane Flat can get steep, but the views of the valley and its approach are spectacular. There are fewer turnouts on this stretch than on the east side of the Sierra. Grab one when you can.
I think none of the other highways will give you any pause. Never have had a mirror-to-mirror contact in many times on all of these roads. If you are coming from the south, consider going out the Badger Pass Road to Glacier Point, where there are spectacular views on the valley, and with a long lens several otherwise hard to see falls, such as Nevada Fall.
Ken
2004 Allure #31035