US395 follows the western boundary of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, not far from Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons, where the Coso People created prolific rock art and traded with distant tribes using tools crafted of stone. The highest elevation anywhere on US 395, which goes from the Canadian border through Washington, Oregon, and most of the length of California, is about 8300 feet/2.5 km above sea level. You do not want to drive a car on those ashy roads, and in deeper areas they can even be challenging for 4wd. This summit separates the Owens River watershed from that of Mono Lake, a salt lake approximately three times as salty as the ocean.[21]. Alabama Hills is very reminiscent of Utah with its red, rocky landscape. But things literally go downhill from there. [33] This line was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1900. Scott, that is still a million times better than the 99, or the soul-crushing I-5! Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. If you want something a bit funky, you can rent a night in a covered wagon at theVirginia Creek Settlement motel. Less than 7 miles to the southwest of the pass, inside Yosemite National Park, is Tuolumne Meadows. If are you camping, heres our guide for the best Death Valley campgrounds. Your next stop is the scenic June Lake Loop. Elevation change: 1405 ft / 428 m Max grade: 18.8% Min grade: -19.2% Steepness score: 82 + 1925 + 10117 + 3 = 12126 Distance: 85.82 mi / 138.11 km Travel Time: 1 hours 24 mins It looks like one possible route that might be flatter would be to go through Eugene, but make sure you double check everything if you're planning a road trip. The next community is Independence, the county seat of Inyo County and the home to the Eastern California Museum. You can do as much or as little as you want of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail. Lee Vining is 6781 and by the time you get down to Lone Pine, the elevation is 3,700. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. If the lake is too crowded, then we suggest going a little further south and heading up McGee Creek. Here are the best. ValleyEx (254) ValleyEx (255) old farmstead. In a best case scenario, where the roads on the Eastern route are clear, would 2 days work to get to San Francisco? Prior to truncation, US395 served the metropolitan areas of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino. This itinerary aims to help you find that moment of amazement as well. For much of the route described here, 395 is a four lane divided highway. A chain of mountains that runs north/south through the center of Sequoia National Park called the Great Western Divide blocks views of Mt. This is on the Great Basin Divide, which demarcates the Great Basin. Sure, it doesnt have the showy seascapes of the Pacific Coast Highway, but hiding in the shadows of the Eastern Sierras are some amazing landscapes, vast acres of pine forest and some pretty funky geology. 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 longer version is to go 13 miles further up the dirt road to the Patriarch grove. It's totally paved. If it's favorable, we'll go that way. Check for deals and book here. The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia. Eight miles (13km) past the junction leading to Mammoth, the highway crests the second summit, Deadman Summit, at 8,036 feet (2,449m). Rather than going directly to Mammoth Lakes, take the Mammoth Scenic Loop, which is 8 miles before the main turnoff. Or if you are short on time, but still want to see Death Valley, get a very early start and use this 1-day itinerary. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town.. In the spring/fall, you shouldnt have a problem. The lake is the calm centerpiece of the action, famous as the largest alpine lake in North America and for its amazingly clear water thanks to its height (6225ft above sea level) and the waters depth (1644ft in places) algae cant grow here, allowing unparalleled underwater views. I would go over to the coast, Highway 101 or 1. Formerly a fertile lake and valley, Owens Lake and the southern portion of the valley are now dry. The south end viewpoint will get you the closest to the tufas and its best to go at sunset if you can swing it. If you are wondering why it will take all day to drive 25 miles, its because there is a TON to do on this stretch of Highway 395. [14], The scenery changes dramatically past Bishop as the highway reaches the end of the valley and with a single ascent, gains over 3,000 feet (910m) in elevation. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. The June Lake area is served from June Lake Junction by the June Lake Loop Road (SR158). Rowena Plateau.. Multnomah Falls ~ Oregon Astoria Sunrise Wiesendanger Falls Oregon Dunes Pano At first glance, the simplest explanation is that the elevation at that point along I-90 is 1,724 feet and it is the highest point until you travel all the way down the interstate to Oacoma, South Dakota, where it says that it's 1,729 . Using the calculator you can figure this out. With the announced closure of noma, it seems an era of international fine dining is also ending. The road connects Lone Pine to Whitney Portal (the Whitney Portal Store is at the Portal, and the store is open in the summer). No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Tioga Road over Tioga Pass is located in the eastern portion of Yosemite National Park and provides a way to drive through the park's high country, connecting Yosemite Valley with Highway 395. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Traveling north, US 395 traversed much of the path of modern SR 163 and I-15 to Poway Road, where it routed to the east along much of today's Pomerado Road to Lake Hodges, with various realignments over the years. While en route, the highway serves the towns of Ravendale, Termo, and Madeline in Lassen County, as well as Likely in Modoc County. I appreciate your feedback. I do not know where it gets even close to 2000 feet elev, US-26 crosses the Coast. 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. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. I tried tripcheck.com but I could not find out what I was looking for. Your third day starts off with a detour. April is in the spring when spring storms that are winter-like are still possible, and they could leave snow or ice on the roads, even on 395 itself. (Were good with a few long driving days but well have to be in San Francisco on the third day to catch our flight so we dont have a lot of wriggle room. 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. Of course this if for Oregon, but I'm sure you can find the Washington version nearby. The instructions are from Las Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the park. Todays detour goes up the Whitney Portal Road, which is just west of Lone Pine. We have a whole guide that outlines a lot of fun things to do in Bishop both in town and nearby. Tioga requires the National Park fee. In the winter, many of the smaller RV parks are closed. [26] SR70 was at one time numbered U.S. Route 40 Alternate, using US395 from this junction south to Reno to connect with the mainline US40 (now I-80). 4. These kits also make a thoughtful, if tragically practical Christmas or birthday gift. Passenger vehicles can use the unpaved road to Bodie ghost town, but it is famous for its bumps and potholes. It boomed from 1882 to 1932 and is a well-preserved relic of our gold rush. 5 Things that Are Greatand 1 That Isnt, 12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time), The Best Time to Visit Big Sur: Season by Season Guide. Lots to see all along the route. Along with Badwater, its worth visiting Zabriskie Point to see the erosion-carvedrocks that appear toripple across the landscape. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. I suppose we'll check once we're in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It wasnt until a visit last fall that my feelings changed from admiring affection to full blown love. Nick/Flickr The road follows Long Valley Creek along the edge of the Sierra towards Honey Lake. For motels and Airbnbs: If your road trip occurs over a weekend or holiday in the summer, absolutely pre-book. Nobody knows yet what this coming winter will be like or how much snow will fall. From Mono Lake its a 30-minute drive to Mammoth Lakes, regional hub, famous ski resort and a great place to spend the night. Once again, there is an assortment of basic motels in Lone Pine. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Its worth visiting because its not too far off the main road and its very pretty. But once you get to 395 itself, nearly all of the trails and lakes are on Forest Service land, which is always dog-friendly. Share this Highway 395 road trip itinerary with your friends on Pinterest: Thanks for the great site. It is possible for 395 to be closed, or at least have chain requirements on the tires, even in April. Then suddenly the road tightens down into twisting loops as you dive into canyon country. ), you could do it in a more leisurely way. [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. But a 2-mile hike in the snow at an elevation of 10,000 feet is NOT an easy hike for anyone. The regular roads to Mono Lake that most visitors would take are fine. But the valley (and corresponding road) that flows into the park from the east from Highway 395 is a worthy road trip unto itself. Once in Bridgeport, head over to Travertine Hot Springs. This whole area is SOOOOOO dog friendly. The next geographic feature is Conway Summit. In April, snow can fall occasionally along 395. . Dalton Highway, also known as the North Slope Haul Road, was named after Alaskan engineer James W Dalton. If you can swing it, we recommend adding Death Valley onto your Highway 395 road trip. Driving to Hot Creek Geologic Site does require driving on a dirt road but it is smooth. That Hwy 30 high point about same as Hwy 18 high point. This is just the beginning of many high elevation points on this incredible journey! Seems that you just haven't been to Long Beach via Or hwy 30. Check Cal Trans for snowy road conditions, watch out for fast moving semis, and stay in the slow lane, especially if you are in an RV. While the southern portion, through Olancha, will be become an extension of SR190. Hwy 395 is one of the most beautiful routes in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Stay andeat:The Whitney Portal Hostel & Hotel (run by the same people who run the store at the trailhead) is the best place to stay in town, with both dorm beds and motel-style rooms available ask for one with a view of the mountain. And would you advice any of the year-round passes over the other (if all are open)? North of SR18, US 395 is proposed as a four-lane divided highway to Desert Flower Road. Along the shores of Owens Lake, the highway passes by Cartago and Olancha. [25] Though SR70 does not directly serve any major cities, the highway is noted as an all-weather crossing of the Sierras. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through, and it crosses the highway here. Could I get you opinion on driving times? Use our Eastern Sierras fall color guide for more info, but early October is a good bet. The summit on Hwy 4 is only around 760feet. If you can't find itnot sure it is on the net. The trail was first believed to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826. to Bridgeport U.S. 395: From Sonora Junction to Walker SR 203: From Meridian Blvd to U.S. 395 Is there a website showing highest elevations along Oregon HIghways? Climbing Mt. 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. [42], Due to a higher than average accident rate within Olancha, Caltrans proposed to bypass the communities of Olancha in 2010. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. [50][51][52][53] The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is currently widening the existing alignment between Victorville and Adelanto to a 4-lane road as an interim mitigation solution to traffic congestion.[54][55][56]. [19], The Camino Sierra was a trail from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe loosely paralleling modern State Route 14, US395, and State Route 89. This pile of basalt columns was created 100,000 years ago when a flow cooled and cracked into multi-sided columns. Stay andeat:There are three main sleeping and eating areas in the park: Panamint Springs; Stovepipe Wells; and The Oasis at Death Valley. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. [16] The highway proceeds diagonally across the valley, until merging with SR14. JenAzz sez: I don't remember the dirt road to Mono Lake being that bad or even that long. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Here's when to go. McKinley (Denali), AK: 20,237: Alaska Elevation Map: After reading this full article, you can see why its worth devoting at least 5 days to your California 395 road trip. For RV parks: If you are RVing in the summer, some of the private RV parks may have on-the-fly availability. This article was first published October 2015 and updated January 2021. [38] This portion was straightened to the route of modern I-15 by 1960. Whether you have a permit or not, its worth the drive up here for the views on the way, the fresh mountain air, and the chance to eat and pick up souvenirs (and tales of the trail) at the Whitney Portal Store. 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. Mt Whitney is the lower 48's highest peak and is a prime destination for hikers, climbers and mountaineers around the world. The fourth summit crossed by US395 in California is Devil's Gate Pass, elevation 7,519 feet (2,292m), which separates the East and West Walker Rivers. Visit our Bodie Ghost town guide for all of the details and plan to spend at least 1.5 hours there. This itinerary is a five day road trip from top to bottom. Its very different from Hwy 1 along the coast and it would be difficult to say which one is more spectacular. 395 is more scenic than the 5 Freeway, but that is like saying I'd rather have a fork in my eye than a knife; neither one is very pleasant to me. I don't remember the dirt road to Mono Lake being that bad or even that long. U.S. Route 395 (US395) is a United States Numbered Highway, stretching from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border in Laurier, Washington. [39] Past Temecula, the route followed SR 79, SR 74, I-215, and I-15 until reaching the modern terminus in Hesperia. Whitney You can visit Mono Lake easily. [30] By 1860, the Camino Sierra was an established trail appearing in maps and guides. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84867555', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California, in fact the West. This is another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone. Exits for many of the more popular stops, such as Mammoth Lakes, have an dedicated ramp or left turn lane. While traversing these mountains, the route crosses a former Southern Pacific rail line, now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) that loosely follows the route of SR14 through the Mojave. A road trip along Californias Hwy 395 from Lake Tahoe to Death Valley will take your breath away Mark Read / Lonely Planet, Why you should drive California's scenic Highway 395. Here is how it looks for 200+ miles. The calculator provides a way to calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are planning or for reference purposes. This 45-mile stretch of Highway 120 connects the base of. Appearing in maps and guides Whitney Portal road, was named after Alaskan engineer James dalton. The home to the southwest of the more popular stops, such as Mammoth Lakes, have an dedicated or. 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