US Highway395 is Californias backbone. [36][37] By 1937, US6 had been extended to California, concurrent with US395 between Bishop and Inyokern.[36]. Then bunk down in Lee Vining or back in June Lake. Stop at Bishop for any supplies you might need and make the side trip to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest to see trees that are the oldest living things on earth some have been around for 5000 years. Bishop serves as a gateway for the recreation areas of the Sierra Nevada, including Mammoth Mountain. Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. Those latter two are a lightly shorter option (in terms of miles) compared to I-80, but beyond that? The southern segment crosses the Mojave Desert and Owens Valley and passes east of the Sierra Nevada. Why Jack, we are going to the Eastern Sierras of course. It is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945ft (3,031m)[1]. Head to the South Tufa Area where you can learn more about the weird, tower-like limestone formations known as tufa (created by the action of the lakes water with the salts in it), the billions of tiny shrimp that call the lake home, and, if youre here in autumn, the millions of migrating birds who feast on the shrimp and flies. Along the descent the highway passes by Bodie, a ghost town which the state park system has preserved, including items still on the shelves in the abandoned stores.[22]. State Elevation(ft.)1 Highest point Elevation(ft.)Lowest point Elevation(ft.)Alabama 500 Cheaha Mountain 2,405 Gulf of Mexico Sea levelAlaska 1,900 Mt. This image was generated by NOAA from digital data bases of land and . State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Lake Tahoe feels more like a summer destination to me Im thinking its still a very nice drive, but we might be able to go through a bit quicker than we would in summer when we would take the time to explore all of the above. Each day has 2-5 cool things do do and see as well as at least one scenic detour that gets you slightly off 395. I had some free time and an itch to fire up the van. This itinerary is also a great routing if you are driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas (or vice versa). The instructions are from Las Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the park. At first glance, the simplest explanation is that the elevation at that point along I-90 is 1,724 feet and it is the highest point until you travel all the way down the interstate to Oacoma, South Dakota, where it says that it's 1,729 . This add-on is best done from October to April. Just north of the lake is Lone Pine. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. The scenery around the town has doubled as everywhere from India to Spain pick up a locations map from the museum to explore more. From Death Valley to Lee Vining is a days trip if you stop and enjoy Owens Lake(bed), Alabama Hills, Mt. And the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster will be in bloom, though that is a long way from the 395 and would be too far out of your way unless you choose to take the southern route around the Sierra Nevada (Techachapi, Bakersfield and the Central Valley to San Francisco). You can also get information on which roads are open by calling CalTrans at (800) 427-7623, or by going to this web page and entering the road number: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roadscell.cgi. This lovely drive includes Grant, Silver, Gull and June Lakes. You can drive the movie loop trail or take a short hike around the popular mobius arch. This article was first published October 2015 and updated January 2021. Some parts are now built to freeway standards. However, US395 does not resume following the river, instead cutting across the Long Valley Caldera to serve the ski resort areas of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain via SR203, after paralleling the runway of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The story told here, of how thousands of Japanese Americans were seen as a security threat and forcibly moved from the coast to live in the harsh desert environment, is an overlooked and controversial episode in the countrys history. The highway enters the state in a corner of Sierra County, entering Lassen County just 3 miles (4.8km) later. Elevation: 145m / 476feet Barometric Pressure: 100KPa. Using Google Earth (thanks again, bobmrg for the tip) the highest elevation on Hiway 30 between Longview and Astoria is about 800 feet. But this itinerary recommends the best scenic bits on a 227 mile stretch that starts just south of Carson City. US395 travels in a north-northeast direction for the last 50 miles (80km) in California, paralleling the east shore of Goose Lake just before crossing the Oregon state line at New Pine Creek, Oregon. Amtraks USA Rail Pass lets you do it. Dana Meadows contains several small lakes. Eastern Californias Highway 395 deserves much more attention as a top vacation destination. Mono Lake is worth visiting for its crazy limestone tufa towers, which stagger upright out of the lake like crusty white zombies. Two hours south of Tahoe, on a side, not fully paved road off the 395, youll find Bodie, a mining ghost town with (allegedly) real ghosts. Its worth visiting because its not too far off the main road and its very pretty. While the southern portion, through Olancha, will be become an extension of SR190. Which is why this drive is tops on our list of the best scenic drives in CA. The road is open year round, unless there is a major snow storm. Get more info in our full guide to Convict lake, which include info on additional hikes, where to camp and how to rent a boat or kayak. If you are on a tight budget, consider bunking at The Hostel California, a mixed bed dorm room goes for $28. Look for the Lower Rock Creek exit and take the Lower Rock Creek Road through Paradise before reconnecting with Highway 395. The highway serves as a connection to the Los Angeles area for the communities of the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake. To get to the parking lot at the south Tufa Towers you do have to drive a short bit on dirt, but it is smooth, not bumpy. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. Also, note that the highway is not well lit at night. Fall is nice because the summer crowds have died down, but the Forest Service trails and campgrounds are still open. Water from the valley is channeled for use by the City of Los Angeles, via the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which was constructed during what is commonly called the California Water Wars. Sacred to local Indigenous populations, Spirit Mountain (or Avi Kwa Ame) might become the newest federal national monument. Check Cal Trans for snowy road conditions, watch out for fast moving semis, and stay in the slow lane, especially if you are in an RV. US Highway 395 is California 's backbone. It can be a city, town, village or even the sea or ocean. Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured on the road as it was in 1964, based on the alignment that existed at the time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage. Is the road to Whitney Portal open? This point is also where US395 departs from former rail corridors, with the former Carson and Colorado grade following the modern US6 corridor towards Hawthorne and Tonopah, Nevada. There are several trailheads into the Yosemite backcountry which begin at Tioga Pass, including the trail to the Gaylor Lakes to the west/northwest, and the trail to the summit of Mount Dana. The calculator provides a way to calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are planning or for reference purposes. The main highway is suitable for any type of vehicle. Head south toward LA. Yes, as long as you are a safe driver. The next geographic feature is Conway Summit. Highway 395 is closed from eight miles north of Sonora Junction to Walker due to snow. Want to crisscross the vast USA in 30 days by train? Check the "steepness" score to find interesting uphill hikes to summit, hilly streets to drive, or the fastest downhill mountain biking trails. Google Earth is a good way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers. The fourth summit crossed by US395 in California is Devil's Gate Pass, elevation 7,519 feet (2,292m), which separates the East and West Walker Rivers. I suppose we'll check once we're in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The US395 corridor from Lone Pine north to the Nevada state line is noted for a high concentration of natural hot springs leading to the area being known as the "hot springs jackpot".[18]. Most accommodation options are of the classier motel variety. [19], The Camino Sierra was a trail from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe loosely paralleling modern State Route 14, US395, and State Route 89. Travertine is nice because its fairly easy to find, has multiple pools, insane views and is clothing-optional. Now, on to Convict Lake. Climbing Mt. There are electric signs at several points along 395, giving you up-to-date information on which roads are open. For anyone who wants to see nature at its most stupendous, both of them are well worth seeing. For the entire route, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, California postmile Official postmile definitions, "Officially Designated State Scenic Highways and Historic Parkways", "New segment of State Route 58 opens near Kramer Junction", "Kramer Junction Solar Electric Generating Station", Map of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad/ Western Pacific and Connections, "Google Maps street maps and USGS topographic maps", "State Maintained Highways, Descriptions, Index & Maps and NHS", "Office of Historic Preservation California State Parks", American Association of State Highway Officials, California State Department of Public Works, "Olancha/Cartago 4-Lane Mitigation Planting", "FW: Olancha Cartago Cottonwood Mitigation Area", "Olancha Cartago 4 Lane Project: Project Information", "Environmental Impact Statement; San Bernardino County, CA", "City Council, Community Redevelopment Agency, Fire Protection District, Water District Agenda Date: April 4, 2007", "Widening of Highway 395 continues in Victorville and Adelanto", "US-395 Widening Project Receives $24 Million: Don't Celebrate Too Soon", "Elevation and Location of Summits and Passes in California", Template:Attached KML/U.S. The next stop is back down Highway 395 at the Manzanar National Historic Park. Along the shores of Owens Lake, the highway passes by Cartago and Olancha. Past the confluence, the highway follows North Fork Pit River across Modoc County toward Goose Lake. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. Basically, Bodie SHP is open all year long, but in the winter it is only reachable by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. The highway retains that name as it travels through Tuolumne Meadows, over Tioga Pass at an elevation of 9,945 feet, and through the Lee Vining Canyon on its 59-mile (95 km) journey to its intersection with U.S. Route 395, at Lee Vining. But the valley (and corresponding road) that flows into the park from the east from Highway 395 is a worthy road trip unto itself. Share this Highway 395 road trip itinerary with your friends on Pinterest: Thanks for the great site. Find elevation by address: Places in California, USA: The extension first appeared on the Official Nevada Highway map in 1935 and its Californian equivalent in 1936. Though the rail line was never finished, it did bring economic development to the valley. I'm afraidvery afraid. Wait to go there until the road to it is fully open. The hike up the highest peak in the lower 48 states is straightforward the path, opened in 1904, had to be easyenough for mules carrying building materials forthe Smithsonian Institution shelter at the summit, constructed to observe a transit of Venus but obtaining the permit for the climb is not quite so simple: theres a lottery held each year to restrict numbers. [9], US395 begins in Hesperia at a partial interchange with I-15 as it heads north. We love the Benchmark California Road Atlas. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park: How to Plan Your Visit, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? The highest mountain or highest elevation point for each of the 50 states are listed in the table below. This is on the Great Basin Divide, which demarcates the Great Basin. Could I get you opinion on driving times? These gnarled, tortured pine trees are the oldest in the world and can live up to 4,000 years old. These include either Aurora Canyon from Bridgeport or Pole Line Road and Goat Ranch into Lee Vining. The islands in Mono Lake are volcanic in origin, as are the Aeolian Buttes, east of 395 south of Mono Lake. Patrick Nouhailler/Flickr As the drive continues on from Topaz Lake, you'll climb all the way up to Monitor Pass which peaks at an elevation of 8,314 feet. Is nice because the summer crowds have died down, but the Service! 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