This great country

[TomC]

Jim- haven't done it, just heard that was the better way, rather than the switch backs coming up from the south.  Good Luck, TomC

[RJ]

Jim & TomC -

I've taken 40' charter coaches into and out of Yosemite on all three roads: 120, 140 and 41.

Piece of cake if you're experienced, harrowing if not.  Altho all have twisties, 41 is probably the least stressful for the non-professional - plus you get the great view of the valley as you break out of the tunnel at Inspiration Point.  Truly a Kodak moment.  (Lots of fun to listen to the Jake brake in the tunnel, too!!  LOL)

140 from Merced is currently closed to coaches due to a rock slide, so only access is over 120 from the north or 41 from the south.  Via either road, it's an hour from the main gate to the valley floor at 35 mph, radar enforced.  45-foot coaches are restricted to entering via 41 from the south only.

Best time to see this park, IMHO, is before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, not during peak summer season.  Better, too, if you can come into the park on Sunday eve and leave Wed or Thurs, fewer crowds. . .

Only the Lower Pines campground can accomodate 40-foot rigs, non can accomodate 45-footers, others either allow max of 35-foot or not at all.  For more info on camping in the park, visit:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm

PM me if you want more info about driving into the park (or most other CA attractions, for that matter).

FWIW & HTH. . .