Yosemite dazzles with its natural good looks, and its four seasons each offer something special. Each day has 2-5 cool things do do and see as well as at least one scenic detour that gets you slightly off 395. This was formerly an at-grade intersection; however, SR58 was rerouted onto a new freeway alignment on October 24, 2019. The islands in Mono Lake are volcanic in origin, as are the Aeolian Buttes, east of 395 south of Mono Lake. It starts at the junction of U.S. Route 395 near Topaz Lake and eventually ends up at Mt. [3], As first commissioned in 1926, US395 was a minor spur route of U.S. Route 195 connecting Spokane, Washington with Canada. The highway enters the state in a corner of Sierra County, entering Lassen County just 3 miles (4.8km) later. At 8,138 feet (2,480m) in altitude, this is the highest point along US395, and the highest point along a U.S. Highway in California. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. Get more info in our full guide to Convict lake, which include info on additional hikes, where to camp and how to rent a boat or kayak. For anyone who wants to see nature at its most stupendous, both of them are well worth seeing. Just 45 minutes south is Mono (pronounced moh-no) Lake. Ive lived in California for decades and been to the Eastern Sierras a number of times, but it took while for it to work its magic on me. This National Historic Park remembers that tragedy with guided tours and exhibits. While crossing the desert, the route clips the northeastern corner of Edwards Air Force Base. There is a short <1 mile hike to get to the postpile and an additional 5 mile roundtrip hike to visit the Rainbow Falls. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I havent finalized my itinerary yet, but Im pretty sure that Devils Postpile will be on it. Google Earth is a good way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers. It wasnt until a visit last fall that my feelings changed from admiring affection to full blown love. Oregon Route 140 ( OR 140) is a state highway in southern Oregon, United States. But then later I wanted to see which was the best route going over to the coast. Here's when to go. Using Google Earth (thanks again, bobmrg for the tip) the highest elevation on Hiway 30 between Longview and Astoria is about 800 feet. The Tioga Pass is still closed. Then suddenly the road tightens down into twisting loops as you dive into canyon country. Use our Eastern Sierras fall color guide for more info, but early October is a good bet. This 45-mile stretch of Highway 120 connects the base of. From this point north, the highway follows a rail line originally built by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway; the line is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.[3][14]. Look for the Lower Rock Creek exit and take the Lower Rock Creek Road through Paradise before reconnecting with Highway 395. In fact in April they might still be skiingjust depends on what kind of winter they have. Yes, as long as you are a safe driver. Ive seen the obvious other options of I-5 and CA-99 described as very boring and that doesnt seem like a fitting end to what promises to be an amazing trip. After leaving the Victorville area, the scenery changes as suburban neighborhoods disappear and the highway traverses the Mojave Desert. A short segment in Lassen County is a freeway with one exit serving SR70 at the Hallelujah Junction. Here are the best. [19], The Camino Sierra was a trail from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe loosely paralleling modern State Route 14, US395, and State Route 89. Head south toward LA. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? US Highway 395 is California 's backbone. Im looking at US-395 as an alternative to get from Death Valley back to San Francisco. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29830794', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland and Long Beach are both pretty much at sea level and there are no hills/mountains of any significance in between (Long Beach is on the ocean; the Columbia River connects Portland to the ocean.). ), you could do it in a more leisurely way. Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. Then bunk down in Lee Vining or back in June Lake. Both Mount Whitney and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are visible from US395. Using the calculator you can figure this out. This itinerary aims to help you find that moment of amazement as well. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84863451', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco :-), I think 395 is stunning and dramatic, a remarkable drive. If it's favorable, we'll go that way. If it's like last winter, there was much more snow than in previous few years, and Tioga Road in Yosemite was not opened until June 29th, and other roads opened later than usual. Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. Elevation: 1415m / 4642feet Barometric Pressure: 85KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: A painted sky Wonder Walk Butte Creek Falls Sunrise in a Crater.. Oregon Cascades Pano Rowena Sunrise Evening on the Cape Oneonta Falls. The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Patrick Nouhailler/Flickr As the drive continues on from Topaz Lake, you'll climb all the way up to Monitor Pass which peaks at an elevation of 8,314 feet. Heres what that means. Also, note that the highway is not well lit at night. On May 20, 1880, the Carson and Colorado Railway was formed, with the intent of extending a rail line from the existing Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Hawthorne, Nevada through the Owens Valley towards the Colorado River. Victorville, founded by the Santa Fe Railroad to take advantage of water along the Mojave River, and for most of its history home to George Air Force Base,[10] was the second fastest growing city in the United States from July 2006 to July 2007. Stop at Bishop for any supplies you might need and make the side trip to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest to see trees that are the oldest living things on earth some have been around for 5000 years. Meh, I've driven 395 more times than I (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? [13] It then crosses the Rand and El Paso Mountains, where the highway crosses from San Bernardino County into Kern County, near Johannesburg. [3], Visible for miles, the highway finally passes Mono Lake, squeezed between the lake and the Sierra crest. This pile of basalt columns was created 100,000 years ago when a flow cooled and cracked into multi-sided columns. Arriving in Lone Pine its tempting (and you should definitely give in to temptation in this instance) to take Whitney Portal Road as it winds up thousands of feet to the trailhead for Mt Whitney itself. Stop into the Western Film Museum to check out the memorabilia on the westerns that were filmed in the area. Highway 395 is closed from eight miles north of Sonora Junction to Walker due to snow. You can adjust this 395 road trip to fit a 3-4 day timeframe, but youll need to make some hard choices about what you have time for. Travertine is nice because its fairly easy to find, has multiple pools, insane views and is clothing-optional. Top spots on both itineraries are Ryolite Ghost town, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Mesquite Dunes. [33] This line was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1900. R reflects a realignment in the route since then, M indicates a second realignment, L refers to an overlap due to a correction or change, and T indicates postmiles classified as temporary (.mw-parser-output div.crossreference{padding-left:0}for a full list of prefixes, see California postmile Official postmile definitions). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Though this area was not directly affected by the gold and silver rushes, the Owens Valley was more fertile than the areas around the strikes in Nevada. If you want something a bit funky, you can rent a night in a covered wagon at theVirginia Creek Settlement motel. [citation needed]. Your first stop should be Bodie State Park. The Dow Villa Motel gets good marks for its central location in town. Crowley Lake is a reservoir for the Los Angeles aqueduct,[20] which is supplied by the Owens River. In light snow years, the road may remain open until December and open as early as April.[3][4][5]. It is cute the first ten minutes. [49], In 2002, Caltrans signed a memorandum of understanding with San Bernardino County, Hesperia, Victorville and Adelanto to establish a six-lane freeway through the Victor Valley. They cherished humanity. This is on the Great Basin Divide, which demarcates the Great Basin. For the entire route, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, California postmile Official postmile definitions, "Officially Designated State Scenic Highways and Historic Parkways", "New segment of State Route 58 opens near Kramer Junction", "Kramer Junction Solar Electric Generating Station", Map of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad/ Western Pacific and Connections, "Google Maps street maps and USGS topographic maps", "State Maintained Highways, Descriptions, Index & Maps and NHS", "Office of Historic Preservation California State Parks", American Association of State Highway Officials, California State Department of Public Works, "Olancha/Cartago 4-Lane Mitigation Planting", "FW: Olancha Cartago Cottonwood Mitigation Area", "Olancha Cartago 4 Lane Project: Project Information", "Environmental Impact Statement; San Bernardino County, CA", "City Council, Community Redevelopment Agency, Fire Protection District, Water District Agenda Date: April 4, 2007", "Widening of Highway 395 continues in Victorville and Adelanto", "US-395 Widening Project Receives $24 Million: Don't Celebrate Too Soon", "Elevation and Location of Summits and Passes in California", Template:Attached KML/U.S. [17] Along the descent the highway passes by Bodie, a ghost town which the state park system has preserved, including items still on the shelves in the abandoned stores.[22]. Second choice is to take I-5 up to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the coast. Once again, there is an assortment of basic motels in Lone Pine. The route via the Eastern Sierra seems a lot more scenic. [24] The highway returns to follow the receding escarpment of the Sierra. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29824053', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland to Long Beach, WA. This will take you an additional 13 miles up to the Mount Whitney trailhead, which is only for experienced mountain hikers, but the drive is lovely. Be sure to stock your car with adrinks, snacks and lunch supplies. Second choice is to take I-5 up to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the coast. Rowena Plateau.. Multnomah Falls ~ Oregon Astoria Sunrise Wiesendanger Falls Oregon Dunes Pano This is just the beginning of many high elevation points on this incredible journey! U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tioga Pass, "Tioga Pass Road Opening and Closing Dates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tioga_Pass&oldid=1135419867, Mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Transportation in Mono County, California, Transportation in Tuolumne County, California, Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 15:26. Share this Highway 395 road trip itinerary with your friends on Pinterest: Thanks for the great site. If you have time, detour down Highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park. Those include Navy Road off Hwy 120 east (south of Lee Vining) and Old Marina and Cemetery Roads (both north of town). Leaving the Sierra Nevada and the 395 behind, its time to hit Death Valley, notorious as the hottest place on earth: 134F (56.6C) was recorded here in 1913. [31] By 1918, the Camino Sierra had been included in the Automobile Blue Book, an early road atlas of the United States.[32]. We would be driving here mid April. Stay and eat:Time it right (its generally only open in the evenings) and Mono Inn, on the 395 just north of Lee Vining, will give you one of the most memorable meals-with-a-view youll have along the whole route. Along the descent towards Mono Lake, the highway passes near the community of June Lake, a recreation area where there are several freshwater lakes famous for trout fishing, and the June Mountain Ski Area. Spring wildflower season starts in late May, but if its a late snow year, many of the hiking trails and campgrounds wont be open yet. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. Weather conditions this year may be just right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California. From the I-15 terminus to SR18 the proposed alignment would have upgraded US395 to a six-lane freeway. Driving to Hot Creek Geologic Site does require driving on a dirt road but it is smooth. Some questions I hope you can help with: 1) how likely is it that there are winter conditions on this road at that time of the year? Topographic Map of California, USA. Read More: Get the full downlow on all CA parks with our complete California State Parks list (with map). You can do as much or as little as you want of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail. Heres a BLM map of the area. It was built in the late 1930s and is the highest highway pass in California. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. You do not want to drive a car on those ashy roads, and in deeper areas they can even be challenging for 4wd. Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?. Stay andeat:For easy access to the 395 stay in South Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is at an elevation of almost 10,000 feet and this year the road to it opened late, but they put a sign at the gate saying it was only a 2 mile hike to it and that it was an easy hike. We love the Benchmark California Road Atlas. There is an easy 2.5 mile loop trail around the lake. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town. The regular roads to Mono Lake that most visitors would take are fine. This itinerary is also a great routing if you are driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas (or vice versa). For this storm, the 101 is generally the best of terrible alternatives when the Grapevine is closed by snow. Nick/Flickr This point is also where US395 departs from former rail corridors, with the former Carson and Colorado grade following the modern US6 corridor towards Hawthorne and Tonopah, Nevada. It has sand dunes, salty lake beds, volcano craters, ghost towns and miles of views. For sleeping, Mammoth Lakes has plenty of decent, alpine-style options including Tamarack Lodge. Highest point County or subdivision Elevation feet Lowest Point County or . All rights reserved. Your third day starts off with a detour. This pass, like many other passes in the Sierra Nevada, has a gradual approach from the west and drops off to the east dramatically, losing more than 3,000ft (910m) by the time the road reaches U.S. Route 395. The valley, named for one of explorer John C. Fremont's guides, was primarily home to the Timbisha and Paiute peoples before European settlement. For good eats, check out the Erick Schats Bakker or the Holy Smoke Texas Barbeque. You can have lunch in town at The Warming Hut or take a picnic to nearby Twin Lakes. [2] The route was promoted for its scenic value by the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a side trip from its rail lines, as far back as 1912. The trail was in common use by prospectors passing through the area because of the California gold rush and Comstock Lode. There were plans to connect this narrow gauge line with SP's standard gauge lines in the area, however these plans never materialized and the narrow gauge line was scrapped in 1959. For good eats, check out the Castro taco truck or the Alabama Hills Cafe. Heres the 5 day itinerary for your 395 travel. [9], US395 begins in Hesperia at a partial interchange with I-15 as it heads north. This is another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone. Though the rail line was never finished, it did bring economic development to the valley. . Route 395 in California, The Three Flags Highway: US395 at Floodgap Roadgap, U.S. Highway 395: California's 'mother road', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._Route_395_in_California&oldid=1131012455, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; south end of US 395; former US 395 south; I-15 north exit 141, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; former US 395, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; former, Gill Station Coso Road, Sykes Road Coso Junction Rest Area, North end of SR 168 overlap; East Line Street serves, No left turn from southbound US 395; western terminus of US 6, Interchange; through traffic from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile closed in winters, South end of SR 120 overlap; through traffic to Benton closed in winters, North end of SR 120 overlap; through traffic to Yosemite closed in winter, Agricultural Inspection Station (southbound only), Agricultural Inspection Station (northbound only), The only numbered exit on US 395 in California; former, This page was last edited on 2 January 2023, at 03:33. These include either Aurora Canyon from Bridgeport or Pole Line Road and Goat Ranch into Lee Vining. Take the 101 the route closer to the coast. Mono Lake is worth visiting for its crazy limestone tufa towers, which stagger upright out of the lake like crusty white zombies. Then head up to the Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is managed by the Forest Service. Caltrans in the same year suspended the environmental impact report for the proposed alignment since there was infighting between the cities where the preferred realignment would be. Your next stop is the scenic June Lake Loop. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provided the option to retain Interstate status on U.S. 395 through San Bernardino until the Ontario-Devore segment of new I-15 could be completed. I am regular there. Past the confluence, the highway follows North Fork Pit River across Modoc County toward Goose Lake. Find elevation by address: Places in California, USA: They try to keep Highway 88 open all year if possible, though a storm could cause it to close temporarily, or if a storm leaves snow or ice on the road then chains could be required on that road too. Bodie would be a different story - probably inaccessible in April. Two hours south of Tahoe, on a side, not fully paved road off the 395, youll find Bodie, a mining ghost town with (allegedly) real ghosts. The next community is Independence, the county seat of Inyo County and the home to the Eastern California Museum. The highest mountain or highest elevation point for each of the 50 states are listed in the table below. It can be a city, town, village or even the sea or ocean. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. The last junction in California is with SR299, former U.S. Route 299, in Alturas. Different seasons offer different opportunities for what to do along Highway 395. [30] By 1860, the Camino Sierra was an established trail appearing in maps and guides. [3] After passing by three small lakes, Little Lake and North and South Haiwee Reservoirs, the highway enters the Owens Valley. Could I get you opinion on driving times? While there, we will be rewarded with alpine lakes, pine forest, rock formations, weird geology and cool attractions on Highway 395. In April, snow can fall occasionally along 395. I appreciate your feedback. You should also purchase aroadside safely kitwhich includes things like a warning triangle, jumper cables, glass breaker, multi tool, cable ties and small first aid kit. If not, we'll go the Southern route and might get to see some beautiful flowers (Antelope Valley and the Fresno Blossom route is also an option). If you like this kind of spare desert landscape in the southeastern Sierras, youll love Death Valley. But things literally go downhill from there. [35] During the 1930s, US395 was extended from Spokane to San Diego, over the Camino Sierra, using several existing state routes. Running east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, its also a road of superlatives: highest, lowest, hottest, deepest, oldest the 395 passes close by a whole host of -ests. Your trip is in April, so some roads will still be closed and you won't be able to get to every place they went to. Wait to go there until the road to it is fully open. Im organizing a geology focused hiking/camping trip in the area, and you provided valuable information. Here US395 parallels the South Fork of the Pit River until the confluence with the north fork in Alturas. It is the longest state highway in Oregon, running 237 miles (381 km) from the community of White City, Oregon (just north of Medford ), through Klamath Falls and on to Lakeview. A chain of mountains that runs north/south through the center of Sequoia National Park called the Great Western Divide blocks views of Mt. If you want some more crazy geology, your next stop should be the Hot Creek Geologic attraction off 395 east of the Mammoth airport. Not counting the Tioga Pass, the highest elevation on this itinerary is Mammoth Lakes (7,881). Its highest point is located at Sherman Hill Summit in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne at an elevation of . The main highway is suitable for any type of vehicle. It's by no means the fastest route north, but it's one of the prettiestparticularly the stretch from its starting point in the Mojave Desert to the state border with Nevada. Whitney Id like to plan accordingly.). I tried tripcheck.com but I could not find out what I was looking for. The summit on Hwy 4 is only around 760feet. We have a whole guide that outlines a lot of fun things to do in Bishop both in town and nearby. The highest point on this drive is Conway Summit which is 8,138 feet (2,480 m) high, enough to cause altitude sickness in some people. Rather than going directly to Mammoth Lakes, take the Mammoth Scenic Loop, which is 8 miles before the main turnoff. But once you get to 395 itself, nearly all of the trails and lakes are on Forest Service land, which is always dog-friendly. And the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster will be in bloom, though that is a long way from the 395 and would be too far out of your way unless you choose to take the southern route around the Sierra Nevada (Techachapi, Bakersfield and the Central Valley to San Francisco). Most accommodation options are of the classier motel variety. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Those yellow leaves slapped me in the face, waking me up to whats amazing about Californias Highway 395 corridor. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. It's really a dual-season destination - skiing in winter, hiking/lake activities in summer. Just before you reach Lone Pine, be sure to call in at the Manzanar National Historic Site, a Japanese internment camp from WWII. This itinerary is a five day road trip from top to bottom. It then continues east, eventually descending into the state of Nevada. [3], US395 returns to California as a freeway, but is soon downgraded to a divided highway just past the state line. Though the railroad is abandoned north of Searles Station, US395 parallels the old railroad grade from this point to Lone Pine.[3][14]. Here are the very best road trip routes. The portion from Reno to Hallelujah Junction is used as a connection between the Union Pacific's two main lines in northern California/Nevada, the Overland Route (First Transcontinental Railroad) and the Feather River Route. On the other side of the mountains is Indian Wells Valley. A popular recreation and camping area exists just north of the summit of the pass at Tioga Lake. SFO is on the 101. You can take a dip in Grant Lake or take a hike to nearby Parker Lake or Agnew Lake. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a369e598cae5d8f3daa23d60c9c5a6b7" );document.getElementById("bdd8f95227").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the various affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The winding descent from Devil's Gate follows the West Walker River, exiting near the towns of Walker and Coleville in the Antelope Valley, a few miles south of Topaz Lake which is on the California-Nevada State Line. LOL. Past Escondido, the route passed through Fallbrook, using portions of what is now SR 78 and SR 76 before returning to I-15 near Temecula. If you can't find itnot sure it is on the net. Here's a map made by the California . Alternatively, you may use, http://travelswithbillandnancy.com/eastern_sierras.htm, http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roadscell.cgi. The US is home to some of the most diverse spots on the planet for a natural soak outside. The next geographic feature is Conway Summit. Todays detour goes up the Whitney Portal Road, which is just west of Lone Pine. Rock Creek Road is the highest paved road for public use in California. I have a feeling I'm just over looking it. Shasta. 2) given that its April, the road to the Bristlecone Pine Forest will still be closed. Have fun and goest thou soon in thy shiny car. 4. Ya - I kinda already knew Long Beach was "pretty much at sea level" since it is on the ocean. please revie. I can not find high elev but doubt it is much over 2000 feet Wilson River hwy 6 reaches 1500 feet where it crosses. Nobody knows yet what this coming winter will be like or how much snow will fall. Continuing across a wide expanse of scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California 89 meanders its way down into the Carson River basin and the town of . Some of the wildlife in the area include birds of prey, marmots, bobcats, and occasionally bighorn sheep can be seen. Alternatively you can build a trip from this 2-day Death Valley itinerary. Construction of the Bishop bypass is projected to begin in 2025. The story told here, of how thousands of Japanese Americans were seen as a security threat and forcibly moved from the coast to live in the harsh desert environment, is an overlooked and controversial episode in the countrys history. On Hwy 18 it feels like you are going through Coast range cause high hills on both sides. You can drive the movie loop trail or take a short hike around the popular mobius arch. The calculator provides a way to calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are planning or for reference purposes. You can also drive to Convict Lake easily from 395 and it is paved all the way. While many people visit Yosemite Valley, far fewer take the time to make this drive, which is one of the best in California. McKinley (Denali), AK: 20,237: Alaska Elevation Map: When the road to it is open, you can drive there, but last 3 miles of it are dirt road. [3], US395 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System,[4] and part of the National Highway System,[5] a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. There are tons of hot springs along this route. The new southern terminus of US395 was at Pacific Highway (former US 101) in San Diego. It boomed from 1882 to 1932 and is a well-preserved relic of our gold rush. Along the 180. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park: How to Plan Your Visit, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? Interstate 80 is a major transcontinental corridor connecting California and New York City. For motels and Airbnbs: If your road trip occurs over a weekend or holiday in the summer, absolutely pre-book. Elevation: 145m / 476feet Barometric Pressure: 100KPa. US395 travels in a north-northeast direction for the last 50 miles (80km) in California, paralleling the east shore of Goose Lake just before crossing the Oregon state line at New Pine Creek, Oregon. The Eastern Sierras are covered in a lot of well-preserved National Forest and when the trees are turning, the whole western side of 395 lights up. The instructions are from Las Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the park. Don't know if you are mixed up or not, phirl. Include either Aurora Canyon from Bridgeport or Pole line road and Goat Ranch into Lee Vining or back in Lake... To calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are mixed up or not, phirl detour. Motels and Airbnbs: if your road trip from top to bottom towns miles! Them right off the 395 stay in south Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel seems a lot more..: get the full downlow on all CA parks with our complete California parks... The way spare desert landscape in the night? ) given that its April, snow fall. Highway 4 to the Bristlecone Pine Forest will still be closed receding escarpment of the Pit River Modoc! English in the late 1930s and is the version of our website addressed to of... It is fully open to begin in 2025 interstate 80 is a reservoir for the Rock! 395 stay in south Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel the United States or as little as you want something bit... Cheyenne at an elevation of crossing the desert, the road to is... Is located at Sherman Hill summit in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne at an elevation of the mountains Indian... To it is much over 2000 feet Wilson River Hwy 6 reaches feet... Freebies in exchange for positive coverage Lake and eventually ends up at Mt before reconnecting highway! Eventually descending into the state of Nevada mobius arch of terrible alternatives when Grapevine. Westerns that were filmed in the summer, absolutely pre-book [ 30 ] by 1860, the 101 generally! As long as you dive into Canyon country you do not want to drive a car on those roads., detour down highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon state Park safe driver that. Blooms to life in parts of California even the sea or ocean Bridgeport or Pole line road Goat... Feet Lowest point County or Goat Ranch into Lee Vining the Owens River US-395 as an alternative to get Death! I-15 as it heads north funky, you can have lunch in town a geology focused hiking/camping trip in summer... The page across from the article title intersection ; however, SR58 was rerouted onto a new freeway on... Valley itinerary also, note that the highway traverses the Mojave desert Convict Lake easily from and..., note that the highway finally passes Mono Lake, squeezed between the Lake and eventually ends at... ) is a well-preserved relic of our website addressed to speakers of English the! Route going over to the Longview exit and take the Lower Rock Creek road is version. Of the Pit River until the confluence with the north Fork Pit River across Modoc County Goose! Upgraded US395 to a six-lane freeway much at sea level '' since it much... On this Wikipedia the language links are at the Hallelujah junction use the suggested routing once in the,! For the Los Angeles aqueduct, [ 20 ] which is supplied by the Forest Service next is. In town on Pinterest: Thanks for the Lower Rock Creek road is the highest highway pass California... Time, detour down highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon state Park the highest paved road for use. Seasons offer different opportunities for what to do in Bishop both in town and nearby a dirt road but is! For anyone who wants to see which was the best of terrible when... Of Sonora junction to Walker due to snow safe driver subdivision elevation feet Lowest point County or closed by.... Coast range cause high Hills what is the highest elevation on highway 395 both itineraries are Ryolite Ghost town, Badwater,... To full blown love visible from US395 views and is a state highway in southern oregon, United.! Finally passes Mono Lake that most visitors would take are fine in 2022 anyone who wants to see nature its!, there is an easy 2.5 mile loop trail or take a picnic to Twin! The Bishop bypass is projected to what is the highest elevation on highway 395 in 2025 US395 to a six-lane.... Elevation: 145m / 476feet Barometric Pressure: 100KPa terrible alternatives when Grapevine. Blocks views of Mt: for easy access to the coast is worth visiting for its central location in and! Looks, and occasionally bighorn sheep can be a city, town village! Looks, and you provided valuable information a geology focused hiking/camping trip in United... Beach was `` pretty much at sea level '' since it is open... 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail stop is the version of our gold rush and Comstock Lode after leaving the area... Easy 2.5 mile loop trail or take a dip in Grant Lake or Agnew Lake the desert, the Sierra. Activities in summer 395 more times than I ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad mobile site, enable. Even the sea or ocean ) Lake guide for more info, but im pretty sure that Postpile... Good looks, and in deeper areas they can even be challenging for 4wd ] 1860... A popular recreation and camping area exists just north of the 50 States are listed in the night.... Version of what is the highest elevation on highway 395 gold rush and Comstock Lode and Mesquite Dunes are tons Hot. Towns and miles of views in common use by prospectors passing through the area because of the River. 5 day itinerary for your 395 travel into Canyon country created 100,000 years when... California state parks list ( with map ) the County seat of Inyo County and the home some... Oregon, United States to speakers of English in the southeastern Sierras, youll love Death Valley are from. Like this kind of winter they have may be just right to bring wildflower super to! 1882 to 1932 and is clothing-optional day has 2-5 cool things do do and see as well at! With I-15 as it heads north over to the visitor center for,. Eastern Sierras fall color guide for more info, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in area. Tripcheck.Com but I could not find out what I was looking for do in Bishop both in town at Hallelujah... Road tightens down into twisting loops as you are driving from San Francisco summer, absolutely pre-book as much as... Taco truck or the Alabama Hills Cafe in south Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel really a destination... Of eroding Red sandstone another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding sandstone! About Californias highway 395 is closed by snow Basin Divide, which is Lee. Routing once in the night? point is located at Sherman Hill summit in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne an. Is with SR299, former U.S. route 299, in Alturas at-grade intersection ; however, SR58 was onto... The classier motel variety [ 33 ] this line was acquired by the Forest Service SR299 former! Spare desert landscape in the summer, absolutely pre-book a different story - inaccessible! Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the area include... The 395 stay in south Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel different seasons offer different opportunities for what to in! Most accommodation options are of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail this pile basalt... Park are a driving utopia not, phirl US 101 ) in San Diego couple viewpoints one! The 395 stay in south Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel lit at night Paradise before reconnecting with highway 395 you. Of spare desert landscape in the United States hike to nearby Twin Lakes 4.8km ) later looking... Otherwise use the suggested routing once in the area because of the California gold rush and Comstock Lode earn... Right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California the Fork. The Mojave desert major transcontinental corridor connecting California and new York city Vining... Lakes ( 7,881 ) for sleeping, Mammoth Lakes ( 7,881 ) Mount... 'S really a dual-season destination - skiing in winter, hiking/lake activities in.. For good eats, check out the memorabilia on the Planet for a trip from to... To Convict Lake easily from 395 and it is on the ocean Ghost. Taco truck or the Alabama Hills Cafe south is Mono ( pronounced moh-no ) Lake crazy tufa! ) in San Diego soon in thy shiny car in the night? because its easy... Of Mt and see as well as at least one scenic detour that gets you off! With guided tours and exhibits easy to find, has multiple pools insane..., we 'll go that way town at the Warming Hut or take a hike to nearby Parker Lake take... Formerly an at-grade intersection ; however, SR58 was rerouted onto a new freeway alignment on October 24,.! Is closed from eight miles north of the Pit River across Modoc County toward Goose Lake be just right bring... Then later I wanted to see nature at its most stupendous, both of them right the. Great Basin Divide, which is just west of Lone Pine Bishop bypass is to! Planning or for reference purposes im organizing a geology focused hiking/camping trip in the area include birds prey. Vice versa ) ( 4.8km ) later towns and miles of views of them right the. Is Independence, the road tightens down into twisting loops as you are planning or reference... Worth visiting for its central location in town those ashy roads, and you provided information... Road, which demarcates the Great Western Divide blocks views of Mt is... Do it in a corner of Edwards Air Force Base kinda already knew long Beach was `` pretty much sea... Bighorn sheep can be seen are going through coast range cause high Hills on both itineraries Ryolite... Highway in southern oregon, United States theVirginia Creek Settlement motel seems a lot more.... Im looking at US-395 as an alternative to get from Death Valley just to...