climb up to Yosemite, wow!

[David Anderson]

We made it up to Yosemite today.  I came up CA120 to Groveland.  That is the most difficult climb I've ever done.  On the last big push just west of Groveland the torque converter started to slip.  I panicked.  I had 10 cars behind me on a tight road, and to top that, the local fire dept had just pulled a smashed up truck that went over the cliff about a mile back.  The bus made to the top and I immediately pulled out and put the bus into high idle to cool the tranny oil from 200 back to 180.  I've never had the coach do that before.  I unhooked my toad and let my wife follow me up to the campground from there.  I didn't have any issues after that.  CA120 was just too difficult.  I going to scout CA120 east out of the park to US395 to see if I can get the bus out of here without going down westbound.  I fear that as much as the climb.  We will be here 4 days and hope to have a great time touring.  It's still too hot, but I'm glad to be here.

David

[Dave5Cs]

David I give you pats on the back, Groveland entrance, has got to be the tough route. I have never been in the park but have been up that road in a good sized truck and it was not fun. windy and steep. Might get a hold of RJ he knows the park very well beings he lives just up the way from it in Clovis, CA
Dave5Cs

[RJ]

David -

Good for you!  You took the more rigorous route into the park from the valley and survived, congratulate yourself!  140 would have been an easier drive, but 120 gave you a much better challenge which you overcame.

Now, 120 out of the park going east is not nearly as bad. . . in fact, it's a gorgeous drive that most Yosemite visitors never see!

HOWEVER:

The downgrade east of Tioga Pass into Lee Vining is quite steep, and you REALLY have to pay attention! This is definitely a 2nd gear descent - even with a Jake Brake - and you need to use a "stab" braking technique to control your speed.  As a matter of humor, there's the "Whoa Nellie Deli" as you come into Lee Vining - just to give you some perspective of the grade.

But don't be afraid of it!  Tour buses criss-cross the Tioga Pass road all summer long, so take your time, enjoy the views and pay attention when you start down (which, IIRC, is shortly after the East Yosemite Park Gate.)  There will not be nearly as much traffic on this portion of 120 compared to what you experienced coming into the park from the west.

In the meantime, enjoy wandering around one of the most beautiful National Parks in the US.  With the toad, take the drive up to Glacier Point for spectacular views of the high country, then stop at the Tunnel View observation area (aka "Oh, my!" point) on the way back for terrific photos of the valley floor and Bridal Veil Falls.  Poke around and see if you can find "Fern Falls" - the only waterfall in the park that's twice as wide as it is tall!  (Hint: If you're coming into the valley from Big Oak Flat Rd > El Portal Rd, it's close to the first RH pullout after you cross the bridge over the Merced River.)  Be sure to take the short hike up to the base of Bridal Veil - another good photo op, especially if there's a breeze to create the fall's veil effect.  Park the toad in the Village, and take the free shuttle bus to the Ahwahnee Hotel (oops, now "The Majestic Yosemite Hotel") - check out the Great Room and the Dining Hall, both so unique in their own way.  Hop on the shuttle again and ride to the Yosemite Falls stop, where another short hike (mostly level, btw) will have you "Ooooing" and "Ahhhing" all over again.

If you're hikers, the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls is a good workout, but if you're really into hiking, then take the trail to climb the back side of Half Dome!  Bring good gloves, you'll need them, as they really help you grip the wire assist rope w/o ruining the skin on your hands.

Now, while you sit by the campfire under the trees, think of me roasting down here in 106^o Clovis. . .   

FWIW & HTH. . .

[David Anderson]

RJ,

I don't mind the steep as much as the constant turns that I encountered coming up CA120. If I went down that way I could never get the bus in 2nd to use my retarder effectively.  Is 120 out to the east more straight?  It would make it much easier.

David

[Iceni John]

David -
If you're hikers, the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls is a good workout, but if you're really into hiking, then take the trail to climb the back side of Half Dome!  Bring good gloves, you'll need them, as they really help you grip the wire assist rope w/o ruining the skin on your hands.

Only 300 people are allowed up the cables to the top of Half Dome each day, and permits to do so are only distributed by lottery.   At this time of the year, forget it!   A group of us (permits are only issued to parties) hiked Half Dome a few years ago, and the permit was obtained many months before.   Even without going up the cables to the top, the hike to the base of the cables is stunningly beautiful, not difficult at all, just a nice easy climb past several waterfalls as you wind around the back side of Half Dome.   Well worth it.

John

[eagle19952]

RJ,

 Is 120 out to the east more straight?  It would make it much easier.

David

i have not ever come in from the east, only in and out to the west/Lee Vining. it was doable.
ps i had no retarder/jakes pulling a 14 ft trailer.

flattestroute.com

https://www.flattestroute.com/?from=Lee+Vining%2C+CA%2C+United+States&to=Groveland%2C+CA%2C+United+States&travelMode=Driving&measurementMode=miles

[oltrunt]

Up and East on 120 will be much easier than what you have already done.  Watch out for the 40' tour buses heading down (West) as they have a hard time making some of the tight inside turns without sharing your side of the road.  Some years ago I rode a bicycle from Tuolumne Meadows down to Craine Flat.  A couple of times I had to dive for the ditch to keep from becoming one with a bus and a mountain side what with the way a bus body cheats between the axles--still, it was too much fun to resist.  Jack

[RJ]

Is 120 out to the east more straight? 

David -

Yes, EB 120 out of the park to Lee Vining is much straighter than the narrow twisties coming up from Chinese Camp to Groveland.  However, it is a mountain road, so you will be winding the steering a bit, but not as much as before.

If you do encounter one of the many tour buses headed WB on 120 while you're going EB, don't be afraid to slow down and/or stop if you're not sure they're going to clear you on a tight turn.  Better you be stopped and they run into you than vice versa!!

Did you find Fern Falls??

FWIW & HTH. . .

[HB of CJ]

Back in 1970 there was a special turbo charged, Jake Braked 4104 that made the summer run from the Valley Floor up over the top then on to Reno.  Laid over there then returned the next day.  Yosemite Park And Curry Company.  Scheduled passenger service.

Coming down into Lee Vining was 2nd gear riding the Jake.  A fun run but you had to pay attention to what you were doing.  Some old infirmed passengers would take a short walk at 9900 feet then keel over.   We carried oxygen on the bus.  Long time ago.

[skihor]

Stop @ Olmstead point on the way out to the east. Walk down the steps, turn right, go about 100 yards and turn left up the rock. Outstanding views looking back towards Half Dome. Great burgers @ the little place across the street from the Chevron on the north side of town. Decent pizza @ Camp Curry.
HEED the warnings about food and bears.

[David Anderson]

We finished Yosemite.  All the suggested stops we did and it was spectacular.  We decided to come back west on CA120.  I went down without the toad.  I had to stab the brakes constantly even using the retarder.  They smelled pretty hot when I got to the bottom, but it still wasn't as bad as Wolf Creek Pass westbound.  We are at a park in Bakersfield.  Man it's hot here.  Tomorrow on to Phoenix to the Cancer Center for my wife.  Our last reports were not good, so we will camp at the hospital for the next 2-3 weeks .  The rest of our trip north to Oregon/Washington we had to cancel.  She wants to get home to the grandkids after her radiation.

David

[oltrunt]

Glad you got to do the Yosemite trip and We'll hold a thought for your wife (and you) as you deal with the clinic in Phoenix.  Jack

[digesterman]

The best of wishes to you and your wife

[Dave5Cs]

Positive thoughts and energy to both of you...

[luvrbus]

Sorry to hear about your wife David, please call me if there is anything we can do for you guys while you are here