We were going to spend 3 days exploring Kings Canyon/Sequoia after we leave Yosemite tomorrow morning but with our tranny issues, after we climb out of Yosemite, we need a break from steep grades for awhile.
I don't care if we head north to Lake Tahoe and then down the east side of the Sierra's through Death Valley to Pahrump, NV or if we head south from here.
I've got from tomorrow to April 26th to get to there... and I consider 200 miles a day enough of a drive but can push 400 if it's worth it.
Looking for suggestions of what to do along the way before I flip a coin.
It would be a lot easier to head to Kings Canyon/Sequoia from Yosemite than to go up to Lake Tahoe and then over to Hwy. 395 if you want to avoid climbing hills. Go up Hwy. 180 in Fresno to Kings Canyon/Sequoia I would also go back down Hwy. 180 and not go out Hwy. 198 into Visalia as that road is steep and winding. Then I would take Hwy. 99 to Hwy. 58 over Tehachapi to Hwy. 14 over to Hwy. 395 over to Death Valley. Have fun!
Agree with spacedoutbob on route through Sequoia...especially comming out (used to drive that road regularly).
There is a bit of a grade both going into Death Valley on 190 and then comming out on 374. Something to consider. Don't know about other access roads.
Used to spend years backpacking in the Sierra's off 395, but this year was the first time I had ever been to the Alabama Hills (Google it) on the west side of Lone Pine. If you have the capabilities to dry camp for a few days, this is a great place for a little hiking and relaxing. You might even see movie being filmed too.
Maybe the ranger we talked to at the info desk isn't giving us the right info. She's the one that kind of left me discouraged about doing KC/S. She left us thinking that it was like Yosemite but not as steep in and out.
I thought it was like a canyon rim drive and flatter going in from Fresno. The ranger gave a description of more up and down and curvy driving.
We did hwy 1 for a week down the Oregon and California Coast. Then Yosemite coming in on hwy 120. Hubby is not a whiner but I can tell he's getting tired of not having a chance to take his eyes off the road. yeah, I know... I could drive. That's not relaxing for him at all with these kinds of roads.
Maybe we need to just cool it for a few days in a quiet off-road boondocky spot and then do the KC/S route as suggested by Bob (above). I'll google Alabama Hills, too.
Kathy, If you do go to Kings Canyon/Sequoia, the road down into the bottom of Kings Canyon can be a little scary as there are long steep dropoffs into the canyon. But, just take your time. There is a neat cavern down at the bottom (Boyden Cavern) and some nice hiking areas, at the other end by Hwy. 198 there is an even better cavern (Crystal Cave), you have to hike a 1/2 mile down and back up to see that one, both are pretty nice, I love the fantastic Sequoia trees that are in the park. Enjoy your stay!
spacedoutbob wrote: Kathy, If you do go to Kings Canyon/Sequoia, the road down into the bottom of Kings Canyon can be a little scary as there are long steep dropoffs into the canyon. But, just take your time. There is a neat cavern down at the bottom (Boyden Cavern) and some nice hiking areas, at the other end by Hwy. 198 there is an even better cavern (Crystal Cave), you have to hike a 1/2 mile down and back up to see that one, both are pretty nice, I love the fantastic Sequoia trees that are in the park. Enjoy your stay!
Bob in Oakland, Calif.
Thanks for that info. I only heard about the caves there, today. No hiking on this trip for us. Hubby is seeing Chiropractors every chance we get for his back. The little bit of walking we did today is bothering him tonight.
In 2001 he did an 8 day, 52 mile hike between Glacier park and Waterton Lake (Goat Haunt). He loves hiking. I love caves. Would be wonderful if we get to do that. Just depends on his back as to what we do.
the route you named has 2 tough climbs and a third one that's pretty good, too.
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If you don't want long climbs bypass Death Valley unless you come into it from Baker.
It's a long, steep, hard climb on 190 from Panamint Valley to the summit and drop down into Death Valley.
I worked Lone Pine/Death Valley with CHP for two years so know the area well. Just for future reference, a breakdown in Death Valley will cost at LEAST $600 for a tow truck. It's 106 miles from Lone Pine to Furnace Creek and the tow comes out of Lone Pine.
Just a question, did you get your tranny fixed or are you driving with the seal still leaking? If not I would stay away from Death Valley on hwy 190 as stated in above post, 11 % grade up.
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spacedoutbob wrote: Kathy, If you do go to Kings Canyon/Sequoia, the road down into the bottom of Kings Canyon can be a little scary as there are long steep dropoffs into the canyon. But, just take your time. There is a neat cavern down at the bottom (Boyden Cavern) and some nice hiking areas, at the other end by Hwy. 198 there is an even better cavern (Crystal Cave), you have to hike a 1/2 mile down and back up to see that one, both are pretty nice, I love the fantastic Sequoia trees that are in the park. Enjoy your stay!
Bob in Oakland, Calif.
We head to the bottom of Kings Canyon every Memorial Weekend, we will again this year. We go down in the rig in sig. We love it there.
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