Roads in Yosemite in Dec and Jan

[simonrjames]

We will be in San Fran on the 15th December and heading toward Vegas for new year.

Can anyone tell me what the roads through Yosemite will be like at that time of year i.e. will they be rideable on a GS, 2 up, loads of luggage on road tyres. If this is not possible could someone please suggest an alternative route between San Fran and Vegas.

[davidmc]

Most of the mountain passes will be closed for the winter at that time, with the exception being I-80, Hwy 50, and Hwy 88 near Lake Tahoe. And the ones at Lake Tahoe will be iffy at best, there is no way you want to be caught in the Sierras in a snowstorm.

Getting to Las Vegas from San Francisco is easy however, you can head down the coast and shoot through the desert south of the Sierras and east toward Vegas. I have heard that some of the roads through Death Valley have been damaged by some flooding and may be closed, so you should verify what is open in advance.

For an excellent guide to California's motorcycle roads, check out: http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm a spectacular website.

-Dave

[This message has been edited by davidmc (edited 13 November 2004).]

[This message has been edited by davidmc (edited 13 November 2004).]

[G. Kennedy]

The roads to the eastern side of the Sierra are already closed, but you can still hit the park. There will be snow on the ground, but the roads are very well maintained. As long as you are not traveling during a storm you will be OK. Enter the park from the west, do a loop of the valley floor, then head south alng the western side of the Sierra. If the weather is nice, you can pop up into Sequoia NP and some beautiful roads. Then keep heading south and hang a left as the Sierra range tapers off. Good luck