Advice on drive from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite lodge by the falls

[JoRollo]

Driving advice - South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite lodge by the falls. We will be doing this journey on 10th May next year. Im getting concerned that there might still be a lot of roads closed due to snow especially Tioga Pass which I don't know if we will need to drive on. Has anyone done this journey in May and can tell me there experience. Thanks!

 

[GatorChris]

We live about 90 minutes from the gates of Yosemite. They open Tioga Pass in May nearly every year. By May 10th.....That'll be close. You may have to take the long way around, which is taking the 50 down the mountain until you get to the 49. Then take that to the 120 and into Yosemite. It'll be much slower, but the 49 does have some pretty scenery.

 

[JoRollo]

We live about 90 minutes from the gates of Yosemite. They open Tioga Pass in May nearly every year. By May 10th.....That'll be close. You may have to take the long way around, which is taking the 50 down the mountain until you get to the 49. Then take that to the 120 and into Yosemite. It'll be much slower, but the 49 does have some pretty scenery.

Thank you for reply I was worried we wouldn't get in there at all. Fingers crossed road will be open but as long as there is a way in that's good. Will most roads be clear of snow?

 

[GatorChris]

Thank you for reply I was worried we wouldn't get in there at all. Fingers crossed road will be open but as long as there is a way in that's good. Will most roads be clear of snow?

With all this stupid El Nino talk, who knows. But what I can tell you is that by May, snow is something you usually don't have to worry about in central CAL. Even there is snow, it will only be at the higher elevations and the roads into parks from the Valley will be cleared. You're picking a really good time to go. Waterfalls should be booming and there might be a lot of wildflowers.

 

[JoRollo]

With all this stupid El Nino talk, who knows. But what I can tell you is that by May, snow is something you usually don't have to worry about in central CAL. Even there is snow, it will only be at the higher elevations and the roads into parks from the Valley will be cleared. You're picking a really good time to go. Waterfalls should be booming and there might be a lot of wildflowers.

That's good to hear. Hoping we have more luck this visit last time we traveled from the uk was 2013 and government shut down stopped us getting into Yosemite at all so hoping to get to see it this time taken us two years to get back! Thank you.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

I don't have much on the snow, but our favorite route from South Lake Tahoe is west on the 50 to the 89, south thru Hope Valley, thru Markleville and over the Monitor Pass.
When you reach the summit, stop and take in the view, east toward Nevada, it is breathtaking. Then down the hill to the 395 and south to Tioga.
A perfect example of " Getting there is half the fun".

 

[JoRollo]

I don't have much on the snow, but our favorite route from South Lake Tahoe is west on the 50 to the 89, south thru Hope Valley, thru Markleville and over the Monitor Pass.
When you reach the summit, stop and take in the view, east toward Nevada, it is breathtaking. Then down the hill to the 395 and south to Tioga.
A perfect example of " Getting there is half the fun".

Thanks will bare that route in mind if Tioga is open. How long is the drive that way

 

[GrandBob]

We live about 90 minutes from the gates of Yosemite. They open Tioga Pass in May nearly every year.

Chris, that may be true in recent years, as the drought has severely reduced the snowfall in the Sierras. But historically, I'd figure the chances are very slim for an early May opening.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

Notice that in the last 35 years, the pass has opened as early as May 2 and as late as July 1. Usually people figure on Memorial Day weekend, more or less. OP, I'd figure on the fact that you'll likely have to take 89/88 down to 49 in the valley, and then approach Yosemite from the west. Especially given the El Nino forecast. If you get lucky and the pass is open, then the drive down 89 to 395 and then over the pass on 120 is gorgeous.

Bob

 

[Jaylens Papa]

Thanks will bare that route in mind if Tioga is open. How long is the drive that way

First off, I have the pass wrong. It's called Ebbits Pass. It's arond 190 miles from South Shore to inside Yosimite. Also, if you have an extra 1/2 day theres a ghost town called Bodie off the 395. It is a deserted mining town. Very interesting if you like those things. The people left after the gold was gone. The furniture and some clothes are still in the old houses.