Nearest accomodation to mono lake and Bodie?

[february]

We visited Yosemite for the first time last summer and had an amazing time. We stayed at Yosemite View Lodge which was convenient to all the main attractions that we wanted to visit/hike. We are planning to return but would like to visit mono lake and Bodie this time and wondered if anybody could recommend convenient accomodation. We will be travelling from San Francisco and onto Furnace Creek , Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Sedona, Lake Havasu, Anaheim and finishing in Santa Monica. Any other tips or opinions on itenary would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Celia

 

[february]

sorry I've posted this twice!!

celia

 

[GrandBob]

There's really not much. The town of Lee Vining is right on Mono Lake, but it's a really dinky little town. As far as I can tell, there's one small motel in town.

I'd recommend staying south, around the June Lake loop. It's a popular tourist destination, so there are lots of accommodations. You'll be about 20 minutes south of Mono Lake, and a little farther from Bodie. Or you can go a little farther south yet, to the Mammoth Lakes area. That's a popular skiing area, so there are lots and lots of accomodations there.

HTH,
Bob

 

[pharmjenn]

Lee Vining does have more than one motel, but you may not be able to book them ahead. I drove through from SF in May 2003 to Vegas with friends and we stayed in a dumpy place. Cheap though. Definitely more options south in Mammoth. But remember that the drive to Bodie is not a quick one, so add that to your plan if you do stay south. Also, the road from Yosemite through to 395 (which is how you get south through the Mono area to Vegas) often doesn't open till late May. With our lack of snow, that shouldn't be a problem this summer.
Make a stop at the Manzanar Detainment camp as well. Good for an afternoon tour if you have any interest in what the US did to its West Coast Japanese citizens during WW2. It is on the way south, near Lone Pine, which is one of the bigger towns with lodging and at the base of Mt. Whitney, one of our highest peaks.
Through Death Valley you can continue east to Hwy 95 which goes south to Vegas, rather than back tracking south along 395 then east on Hwy 15.

 

[february]

Thank you for your replies. They're really helpful and have given me a few things to mull over. I've found accomodation near hetch hetchy called Evergreen Lodge. We will be travelling from San Francisco and on their web page they say their location is the most direct route from San Francisco. I wondered if anybody knew of it and if it would work with our plans to visit Bodie and Mono Lake. Would it be possible to visit Bodie on our first full day, then wake early, leave Yosemite via Tioga pass, making stop offs along the way and visit Mono Lake on our way to Death valley.

Thanks for any advice on this.

Celia

 

[pharmjenn]

You wouldn't want to stay at Evergreen Lodge, drive roundtrip to Bodie and then head east down to Death Valley the next day. You would be back tracking for no reason. It takes atleast 2.5hrs to get from Groveland (where Evergreen is) to Lee Vining, then another long drive on a gravel/dirt road out to Bodie. You really want to spend the night along 395 somewhere after touring Bodie.
So Evergreen probably isn't a bad location for touring Yosemite Valley if you don't want to stay in the Valley, or as a stop from SF on the way East, but not a base for touring the Eastern Sierras on the way to Death valley.

 

[GrandBob]

I agree with Pharmjen. It would be crazy to stay in Mather (which is closer to where Evergreen Lodge is), drive the 2.5 hours to Bodie, then drive back, just to go the same direction the next day. The eastern Sierra is way too far away from the foothills on the western side to do that. You'll spend all your time in a car.

But I'd go further. Evergreen Lodge appears to be near Camp Mather, by Hetch Hetchy. I've stayed in the area. While it's a beautiful area for visiting in itself, it's not very convenient if you want to see Yosemite Valley. It's about an hour away from the Valley. Of course, if you figure you've already seen the valley and want to see another section of Yosemite, have fun. But if you want to see El Capitan, Half Dome, and the waterfalls, stay in the valley, or stay again at Yosemite View Lodge, which is much more convenient. (Actually, Hetch Hetchy has its own beautiful waterfall. But just one).

-Bob

 

[february]

Thanks so much for your replies. I totally agree having looked at google maps that it would be crazy to double back on ourselves. We're having a re-think based on your advice. I'm sure I'll be back for more soon!

Thanks again, it really makes a huge difference having input from those in the know.

Celia

 

[DisOrBust]

Just an FYI there is an amazing hotel , The View, in Monument Vally . The sunrise from your balcony is worth every penny.

If your in Vegas what about Zion and Bryce? If your into hiking there is Angels Landing and the Narrows to do in Zion.

Another thought for Yosemite would be to stay in Camp Curry. Yes its a tent but your in the middle ofg the Valley not having to drive all around! WE did it and it was worth the sacrifice.

.. and if your really into hiking there is the Panorama Trail in Yosemite that I think i the best hike in the USA. You take the Hiker's Bus up to Glacier point and hike somewhat "down" into the valley.

IMHO, and I many get crucified but the GC is a bit overrated. Not many day hiking trails and I don't recommend trying to go to the bottom of the canyon and back in a day hike. Bryce is a "prettier" canyon again IMHO.