Eastern Sierra/ Lone Pine: Driving from San Francisco

[doug_milikien]

Can anyone recommend the best way to get to Lone Pine in the Eastern

Sierra from SF Bay Area? Yahoo Maps recommends 99 South to 58 East

to 14 North to I-395 for a trip duration of 6.5 hours. This seems

very roundabout to me. There must be an easier way of getting to I-

395- through Reno or Carson City perhaps? Anybody ever try the drive

in winter? I'm going next weekend, so any advice would be greatly

appreciated. Thanks.

[aditya_agarkar__www.poptec]

Seems logical to me as all the high sierra passes (Tioga, Sonora, etc) are closed for the season.

[nick_jensen]

That is the quickest way and I would allow no less than 8 hrs for the trip.

[brad_hiltbrand]

I drove much of that route that twice last winter in late Dec and again in February. That is

the fastest route, although 6.5 hours is not nearly enough time. Count on at least 8-9

hours. I prefer to take the Walker pass (rt 178) from Bakersfield rather than Tehachapi

pass (rt 58). The Walker Pass is much more scenic, but slower. There are lots of great

Joshua trees near the top of this road.

 

In the summer Sonora Pass (rt. 108) is the quickest way to 395, but it and several other

routes over the Sierra are closed during the winter. If you are prepared for lots of serious

winter driving, I80 over Donner Pass and I50 through S Lake Tahoe also work assuming

you can drive South on I395. It was closed recently for several days between Mammoth

Lakes and Bridgeport. Check the weather and road conditions before leaving!

 

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/mtnhwys.htm

[matt_smith11]

I live south of Carson City. When I go to the Bay area I go through

south Tahoe and to Placerville on Hwy 50. Then On to

Sacaramento.I would think this is the best way to come

through.Coming from your direction I would go to south tahoe at

Stateline then take Kinsbury grade down to Gardnerville and

intersect Hwy 395 and then head south to Lone Pine.

Gardnerville has a beautiful Sierra view to take photos of. Check

out my portfolio here on Photo.net for many pictures of it.

I am heading down to Lone Pine in March so thats the way I'm

going also.

The Mnt. roads are pretty clear of snow right now so it's easy

traveling. The roads are usually in fine shape except during and

just after a storm.

Good luck and happy shooting.