Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Transportation alternatives Driving From San Francisco

We have a trail permit for June 24th and are coming in from San Francisco. It looks like CA-120 is still going to be closed. Whats my best alternative. We were looking at either 80 to Reno and down, or 5 to Bakersfield and up.

Since we live at elevation 0, we figured the Reno route.

We are only going halfway no matter what Wednesday night (finishing the drive to Whitney on Thurs), so a stop somewhere is necessary.

Whats the best route, assuming CA-120 is still closed?

Thanks

Hi,

I live in Davis. Whether or not the 120 is open, my best approach to Lone Pine is 50 to Meyers (S Lake Tahoe), 89 over Monitor Pass (8,000') to 395, south to Lone Pine. This is a very scenic and pleasant drive. I just drove back this way May 30 and the 89 over Monitor Pass and 50 over Echo Summit were fine.

When going from Davis to Mt Whitney, Mammoth is a nice stop for a warm up run or walk at 8.000'. Also non Mt Whitney wilderness permits for the Inyo National Forest can be picked up there at the Wilderness/Visitor Center in Mammoth just off the 395.

Hope this helps,

Jim

If during the daytime, I'm partial to 88/89, thru Markleville and into Walker on 395 - beautiful drive. Plenty of places to stay in Walker, Bridgeport or Lee Vining.

I concur; I have been this way twice, and I enjoyed it both times.


While the southern route is bomb-proof, it is excruciatingly boring (been that way twice and was lucky enough to be a passenger...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ)

If Sonora Pass is open (108), take that route. It will be the shortest and fastest. From Oakland, this has taken me about 5.5 - 6 hours on average to Bishop.

If it is not open, you can take Monitor Pass (89). Although I've taken Monitor Pass several times and finally concluded that it does not cut down on time or mileage very much and that if you don't like windy roads, just go through Nevada, which is 50 > 89 > 88 > 756 > 395. Going this route will be far less windy, you get a cheap gas station (7-11), and a break. From Oakland, this has taken me 6 - 6.5 hours on average to Bishop.

If for some odd reason there is a snow storm in Tahoe, take the south route going through Bakersfield.

There's some campgrounds along Sonora Pass, so you can stop there if you like.

I live in the north bay. Hwy 50 has construction going on with delays. If 108 is open its a nice ride and worth takeing. Nice places to camp along the way and you can do some day hiking near the summit, or walk the PCT where it crosses 108. Lee Vining has a nice car camp ground if you want showers. The southern route is boring and seems to go on forever. Check http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi for road conditions.

SR-120 is now open as of 06-17-11.

Services are not available meaning the gas station and grill are not open.

Have fun.