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Hotel Charlotte
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Tioga
Pass is open |
Eastern Sierras from Tioga Pass—North or South | |||||||||||||||||
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Visit our
Bodie State Park: Surreal Bishop: Great Bakery
Mammoth: Busy & commercial June Lake: Classic log cabin feel Hot Springs of the
Eastern Sierra: |
Once through the pass and following the long descent, you will see a Mobile gas station on your right, eat here! This is the Whoa Nelly Deli, sign posted "Restaurant" and is a low-key marvelous and quick stop for a snack, lunch or complete gourmet dinner, always fairly priced. The Whoa Nelly Deli is only open while the pass is open. Preferred seating is by picnic table outside with expansive views to Mono Lake, such as the picture above, left. More
Mono Lake, at the
intersection of 395 and 120, has several access points. The
landscape is lunaresque. If you drive North away from the lake,
look back and see that it continues on far further than you would
think from your first view of the lake.
Heading
North—Lake Tahoe, Reno, Carson City or Virginia City: We finished our day by heading north again through Bridgeport, and then some, following signs for highway 108. This route back over the Sierra Nevada is very pretty and travels through the high country above Sonora. Many campgrounds are in sight. You might follow this over the pass to Strawberry and have dinner then complete the final portion of your route to Groveland on a full stomach.
Heading
South—Las Vegas, Death Valley & Los Angeles:
Fishing is a big sport here and we came through on a Monday night to find many of the inns with their "no vacancy" lights on. Once in the town of June lake there are two larger hotels/motels that had openings. Consider the Heidelberg for the convenience of walking to the downtown shops and restaurants. June Lake is a year-round destination with a little ski hill just outside of town, perfect for families with young children or those just starting out. Mammoth: A haven for Los Angelean's getting away from the big city has turned what used to be a sleepy hamlet into a viable community. The little town I knew a dozen years ago is now hidden behind high-end shopping, condos, a high school and hospital. Getting away from town up to Lake Mary is still beautiful. This year-round resort village has a ski hill with a chair lift right in the middle of town along with two golf courses who's greens also seem to dissect the middle of town... One summer I was visiting Mammoth for 4th of July weekend and the skiers were still skiing the slopes but the mountain bikers thought the season was such that the hill should have been turned over to them. Quite a heated debate was heard over a beer most evenings! Hot Creek Geologic Site: There are many hot springs on this side of the Sierra with most secret locations closely protected by the locals. Hot Creek Geologic Site, is about 25 miles south of Mono Lake just off 395.
One can continue this route south and then eastward through Death Valley and onto to Las Vegas or southwest and into Los Angeles. Once the weather changes and the snow starts falling, perhaps late October but usually November (and if we are lucky, December!) Tioga Pass will close to through traffic until late May or early June of the following year. The next closest cross-over that is cleared throughout the winter is Highway 88, somewhat north of us, but a lovely trip! Alternately, a shorter but not a scenic route would be to go South on 41 out of the park through Fresno and to Bakersfield on Highway 99, then over the Sierra. There is a brand new publication called Motor Touring in the Easter Sierra, Mono County, California with the whole book online. It is quite well laid out and an exceptional resource. You can also request a copy mailed to you to help in planning your trip. If you are going to spend any time in this part of the Sierra Nevada, we highly recommend this free guide. |
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From Groveland this is a full day's
round trip. This route is actually better used as a way to/from
Yosemite-Groveland from Tahoe or Las Vegas. Leave
Groveland early and wind your way through Yosemite along 120 and
Tioga pass. If you take the time to enjoy the scenery and take in the streams, a
hike around Tenya Lake and the many photo opportunities, you might consider this an
overnight trip with lodging on the Eastern side of the Sierra in June Lake
or Bridgeport. When we did this in May a few years ago there was still plenty of snow to
be found throughout the region. When we did the trip on October 4th & 5th
last year, the
Aspens were turning colors and the views were dramatic with the many
shades of yellow. 
The lake was, in recent years, the
center of attention regarding water use rights. Nearly drained in the
1980s, Mono Lake is now quite full and alive with shrimp, birds and all manner of
little critters. The visitors center at Lee Vining over looking the
lake is a wealth of information, pictures, history and learning
opportunities with its hands on displays featuring highlights on about this unique part of California.
Once on the road to Bodie, civilization
quickly falls away and the road eventually blends to gravel. Watch for the
hillside Shepard and his dogs, very European! Once at Bodie head for the
museum, this
is where you will pick up your passes for the
Gold Stamping Mill Tour. Only a few dollars, but worth a mint in history,
local color and
interesting gold rush information. The tours are at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm daily. If
you can't make a tour time, take a moment to query one of the docents or
rangers, they have wealth of knowledge and seem to genuinely enjoy sharing
it!
Bishop:
Another little bit down the road is the town of Bishop, which is home to
my now-favorite bakery, 
Hotel Charlotte
