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Become a part of the world and you enlarge yourself.
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's
peace will flow into you as sunshine flows through the
trees. — John Muir
Many people don't realize how close Yosemite is to
many communities in the Eastern Sierra. Yosemite is
our backyard! One of the most amazing scenic roads in
the world connects us, Tioga Pass. Tuolumne Meadows
is only an hour away via this road from Mammoth Lakes,
and the valley floor is just another 45 minutes. Don't
miss the splendor of Mono Lake, thirty minutes down
U.S. Highway 395.
| Yosemite Valley is accessable
from the Eastern Sierra (Mammoth Lakes, June Lake,
Bridgeport, etc.) on Highway 120, the Tioga Pass
Road, from U.S. Highway 395 at Lee Vining (Mono
Lake). The pass is closed, due to heavy snow, from
November-May. It is one of the most scenic "High
Country" roads in the world. Tuolumne Meadows,
Lake Tenaya and Olmstead Point are among the not-to-be
missed features along the way. You haven't been
to Yosemite until you have visited the Top. Enjoy.
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An easy morning
drive, hike all day, then return in time for dinner
at Whiskey Creek. Or about 30 minutes from Lee Vining,
or about an hour from Bridgeport, or about an hour
from Mammoth. So wherever you're staying, Yosemite
is in reach. Or, for something really special, you
can stay at The Ahwahnee Hotel, an historic and
majestic National Historical Landmark, right in
the heart of Yosemite Valley. |
When Tioga Pass is closed, as it is all winter until
around Memorial Day, you could head north on U.S. Highway
395 to Highway 88, over the Sierra, weather and road
conditions permitting. Scenic Highway 49 will take you
south to Yosemite through California's historic "Gold
Country".
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You can even walk to Yosemite
from Mammoth in about 3 days (or one day if you
really hustle — it's about 30 miles), along
the Pacific Crest Trail or the John Muir Trail.
One of the Sierra's best moderate backpack trips. |
Your best bet, in our humble opinion, is pack a lunch,
put on the hiking shoes, and drive to Tuolumne Meadows.
Hike one of the dozen trails out of there, making a
day of it, then return to Mammoth for hot toddy's on
the deck. Avoid the valley floor during the height of
summer and you'll avoid the crowds.
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