Craig P.
Southern California
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We will be traveling to the Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes resort in Groveland CA next summer from Southern California. We haven't visited the park in a long time, but the mountain drive during our last visit was a little scary, and that was when we had a 31' motorhome. The DW refused to look out the window as we drive around tight curves with sheer drop-off's. This time we will be traveling in a 39' motorhome, towing a Toyota Tacoma crew cab. Can anyone suggest a good route from the L.A. area?
Thanks!
Craig
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maddog348
Bakersfield,CA
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What route did you drive last time so won't reccomend it????
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Craig P.
Southern California
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maddog348 wrote:What route did you drive last time so won't reccomend it????
Not sure, it was over ten years ago. If it's very narrow and would give a 39' MH w/toad a hard time, then that's the one I'd like to avoid if at all possible.
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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You must have gone north from Mariposa on 49 as Groveland is down near the flatland. Go in by way of 120 off 99.
By all means don't take her up CA 1 from Cambria to points north, especially coming south from anyplace north.
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Craig P.
Southern California
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Doug and Cassi Glass wrote:You must have gone north from Mariposa on 49 as Groveland is down near the flatland. Go in by way of 120 off 99. By all means don't take her up CA 1 from Cambria to points north, especially coming south from anyplace north.
Thanks Doug & Cassi....I'll try the 120.
Happy Trails.
Craig
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Marv Hoag
Redding, CA
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Sounds to me like he took Hwy 120. Priest grade to be specific, is on Hwy 120 on the way to Groveland. Heading to Yosemite on 120 the Priest grade section is definately uphill and twisty with drop offs on the passenger side. Big rigs do it all the time. Only problems is when you meet a tour bus coming the other direction hanging in your lane. Been up 120 at least three times in my 40' MH towing the CRV heading towards Yosemite. Elevation of Groveland is 2800'. Not in the flatlands.
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flaja
anywhere,usa
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We stayed at TT about 2 years ago. If memory serves there are 2 routes you can take. The one approach from the north (120) is the route TT recommends & the route we took. It is a VERY narrow & scary road, with MHs & semis going in both directions. It is a steep incline that goes up on your way in. However, when I asked locals later, no one had "fallen" off it......recently! LOL! The other route enters from the south & I think passes thru Yosemite to it's west entrance & TT. We could not take that route because of repeated landslides blocking the road. Didn't sound like it was any better! Like any time the road is difficult just slow down & take your time. Hundreds of vehicles travel it every day in the summer with no problems. To us it was well worth it. Yosemite is one of THE MOST beautiful parks & the TT preserve was great!
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flaja
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Oh...I should add we did it in a 38'MH with a chevy silverado in tow :-)
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Marv Hoag
Redding, CA
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Sorry my post failed to answer your question. The length of your rig dictates two posssable route. Hwy 41 from Fresno or 120. Hwy 41 takes you through the park. The roads in Yosemite are narror with little or no shoulder, curvy, sometimes with vertical rock walls next to the road, and tunnels. Hwy 120 has Priest grade. IMHO 120 is the best way to TT. A shorter route from the south would be to take Hwy 140 out of Merced turn on NB Hwy 49 in Mariposa and then follow 49 to 120 towards Big Oak Flat and Groveland. Doesn't cut out Priest grade but it is a shorter route. Staying on Hwy 140 to Yosemite is not an option due to length restrictions still in effect.
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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I guess I wasn't too clear in my first post. Groveland is near flat land but not in it. You've got to climb mountains to get into Yosemite and 120 is the best route into the park. Just remember, 10s of thousands do it every year. You can too.
Take your time and use the turnouts.
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