joraz
Tucson
Senior Member
Joined: 08/16/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
We're in Hawthorne, NV right now and need to get over to Oakdale, CA, near Modesto. Wondering which way would be the best given that we are in early May. We were thinking of heading up to Tahoe, taking 50W and 49S and W on 108. Does this sound like the way to go? (36' w/toad) Thanks.
jor
95 Foretravel
Cummins M11 400
Allison 4060
|
msmith1199
Central, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/07/2001
View Profile
|
Tioga Pass is supposed to open tomorrow. This will be one of the earliest openings in a long time. If you want to take that route I'd check the Yosemite website and make sure it does open. It's a little more difficult road than 50, but much more scenic. I'd try and time it so you hit the park gate around noon or after because earlier in the day their may be ice on the road.
If you don't like the 120 idea I just drove from Ely NV to Modesto yesterday and I came over 88. It's all clear and is just as easy as 50 and there won't be as much traffic. Of these three choices, 50 would be my third choice.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP.
2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
|
msmith1199
Central, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/07/2001
View Profile
|
I also just noticed you mentioned taking 49 from 50 all the way to 108. That is a nice drive if you want to take your time. It's a long ways down 49, but it is the gold country. You can pick up 49 whether you take 50 or 88. If you come across Tioga (120) then that is the road Oakdale is on. Just come right down the mountain and into Oakdale.
Per Google maps:
Hawthore to Oakdale coming over Tioga: 197 miles
Taking 88 and then 49 down to 120: 264 miles
Take 50 and then 49 down to 120: 295 miles
According to the NPS website Tioga Pass is scheduled to open Monday, May 7th at noon. Judging by the lack of snow on 88 when I came across yesterday I don't think you'll have any problems on Tioga.
|
joraz
Tucson
Senior Member
Joined: 08/16/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Thanks, M. Just the info I was looking for. I think we'll go 88.
jor
|
DonBaja
Goodyear, Arizona
Senior Member
Joined: 03/19/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
This post illuminated east-west CA roads that I had never considered. We did CA-70 last year from Hallelujah Junction to Oroville and it was too narrow and curvy for our tastes in a 36' Class A. Would it be possible to compare CA-50 or CA-88 to the CA-70 that had us scared, better or worse? Thanks.
|
|
|
msmith1199
Central, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/07/2001
View Profile
|
I think I've been on 70, but it was years ago and I know I've never done it in my motorhome. I seem to remember it being very windy, but then again all of these mountain passes are windy. Obviously the best road to take over the Seirras is I-80. Second best would be 50. I think Tioga (120) and 88 are about tied, but Tioga does go to a higher elevation and you have to pay $20 to drive through Yosemite. I have done 108 over the Sonora Pass in a rented motorhome without a toad and I wouldn't do it again. Way too steep and way too windy. On all of these roads there's spots where you're going to looking down several thousand feet at the roadway edge, even on I-80. But at least they have guard rails on I-80.
It's hard to give people advice on these roads because what's good for some isn't good for others. For example I have taken my 35' Dp with a toad down Highway 1 from Carmel to San Simeon several times and I love the drive and to me it's just a moderate difficulty road. But you have people on here who swear it was the worst thing they ever did and they would never do it again even in a car. I've even cruised right down Hollywood Blvd in my Motorhome and I can assure you many people on here wouldn't even think of doing that. So it's hard to say what is better for you.
|
2oldman
Winchester WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Camping along the lake?
|
Executive
California/Arizona/South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 02/07/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
If you take 88, my recommendation, be sure to stop at the Jackson Rancheria RV Park just before you get to Hwy 49. Ask for space 57, our favorite. Its about a mile or so from the casino with shuttles from your campsite if gambling is your thing. The campground is a definite "10"+...pool, 2 jacuzzis, free laundry facilities, and tons more..with their casino card you get discounts at their fuel station along with a drive through RV wash......Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
Chevy HHR W/ ReadyBrute
Fourth Year Full Timing Click here to view our travel blog
|
joraz
Tucson
Senior Member
Joined: 08/16/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Thanks for that recommendation, Dennis. We just might do that. We've been out for seven or eight weeks now and the rig could sure use a bath!
jor
|
msmith1199
Central, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/07/2001
View Profile
|
The news says Tioga Pass has opened, or at least that's what they said on the radio this morning. The Yosemite website said it wouldn't open until noon. Anyway that's still an option for you too.
|
|
|
