Sagecoachdriver
North Hills, CA
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We are heading up to Yosemite this weekend and I see there may be snow on the Grapevine early Friday morning. If CalTrans closes the road, what are my options? I've never heard of them letting vehicles change up. I thought maybe taking the 14 out to Mojave and the 58 to Bakersfield? I don't see anything else.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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YEs that is the long way around the mountain, and the pass is much lower on highway 58 into Bakersfield.
Fred.
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TOOBOLD
CALI
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Joined: 07/08/2004
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Since, you are in North Hills you could take the 101 all the way up to Paso Robles then the hwy 46 East and then catch Hwy 41 all the way to Yosemite. Were you planning on entering through Wawona because that's where the 41 will drop you.
Be aware that they are predicting snow down to the 4000' which is also pass level for Tehachapi. Disregard that comment the weatherman just said snow level is down to 3500', so all passes can be affected.
Remember this will be the long way if you absolutely have to leave Friday.
* This post was
edited 04/11/12 11:56pm by an administrator/moderator *
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djgarcia
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Hwy 14 to hwy. 58 is a good route. I just came over the Grape Vine I-5 and could not believe how bad the road is on I-5 and what a rough ride it was towing my 5th wheel. Going down I just pulled in the truck lane and went 35 mph all the way down just like all the other big trucks. Not nearly as rough on me or the trailer. If time is not an issue, you can drive up I-5 to Hwy. 126 to 101 then north to Hwy 46 then head for Yosemite. Very scenic drive.
Dick
djgarcia@earthlink.net
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JT
out west
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"...the pass is much lower on highway 58 into Bakersfield."
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No; both Tehachapi (58) and Tejon Pass (5) "summits" are about 4000'. The *road surface* is better over Tehachapi than over the G-vine, though. Check the CA DOT highway conditions site for current information.
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djgarcia
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Hwy 14 to hwy. 58 is a good route. I just came over the Grape Vine I-5 and could not believe how bad the road is on I-5 and what a rough ride it was towing my 5th wheel. Going down I just pulled in the truck lane and went 35 mph all the way down just like all the other big trucks. Not nearly as rough on me or the trailer. If time is not an issue, you can drive up I-5 to Hwy. 126 to 101 then north to Hwy 46then cut off to hwy. 41 & head for Yosemite. Very scenic drive.
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Sagecoachdriver
North Hills, CA
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If 41 is requiring chains past Oakhurst, can I take the 49 to Mariposa and catch the 140 into Yosemite Valley?
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Sagecoachdriver
North Hills, CA
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When they close the grapevine, do they turn traffic around? Are you stuck?
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TOOBOLD
CALI
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First thing they do is close the gate by the Mcdonald's to prevent further traffic on the I5, then they start forcing people off the exit at the 1st Castaic exit. Then you can go over the overpass and head back to LA. This will be a slow process as you will be on I5 with thousands of your best friends. Best thing you can do is fill up before Castaic just in case there are delays.
We got stuck in the snowstorm two years ago on New Year's while towing. Not fun at all. We actually started the climb and it started snowing. My husband and I said maybe we should get off at Vista Del Lago, but made the fatal error of continuing. Just after that exit all traffic came to a complete stop. Did I mention we were towing. Snow was accumulating as we were slowly moving and becoming packed as the cars rolled over it. Three hours later we crawled to the Smokey Bear road exit where they were turning everyone around. That was when we started sliding. We had no choice,but left the trailer on the side of the road for safety purposes. Made it down the hill and we were very happy we made it.
Take chains if you have them for traction. You may not need them but will be wonderful to have them just in case.It's already getting overcast here in Bakersfield and rain predicted after midnight.
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reasley
Motherlode
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Sagecoachdriver wrote:If 41 is requiring chains past Oakhurst, can I take the 49 to Mariposa and catch the 140 into Yosemite Valley?
Yes... 49 between Oakhurst and Mariposa is a good easy road.
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