For those that live for backpacking in the Sierras...
Hwy 120 is opening this coming Monday

start your engines

Good Grief! This is early.

Keep in mind that the high country will still have some snow, and the meadows will be soggy.

--B.G.--

Yes tis true Bob, but hey, it's open!!!!!!!!!!!

(doing cartwheels!!!)

That means some Spring snow camping. Well, I'm saving money, so no trips down there yet.
Duane

I was up in Yosemite last weekend. we did a loop out of happy iles. snow level is at about 9000ft. still 2-4ft at 9500+.
Sunset camp meadow is still completely covered. lots of downed trees and soggy/wet trail higher up

"Sunset camp meadow"

Sunrise Camp?

--B.G.--

^ yep

Great news...because that will leave fewer cars on 108 to slow me down.

I always regret going over 120, rather than taking 108. I'll bet the fastest route to Tioga pass from the bay area goes through Lee Vining. Plus, it goes past the Whoa Nellie Deli.

Bill shhhhhh don't give away the 108 secret!
The only bummer is it gets kinda slow towards the top.

I've always found 120 to be quicker than 108. Maybe that is because I know where the Yosemite rangers on road patrol have their radar traps set up. Then 108 is OK until some long truck breaks down near the top.

--B.G.--

The rangers don't scare me nearly as much as the sight of the back end of a cruise-America rental rv going 30 mph with nowhere to pass between Groveland and Highway 395. why is it that those folks never think the "slower traffic use turnouts" signs are talking to them?

Bill +1

Last year our group split at the 395/120 junction. We had to go over 108 to pick something up and the other group took 120.

We got to the Baskin-Robbins in Oakdale at exactly the same time. But 108 is more miles, I think.

David, I think you are correct about 108 having more miles. I like the fact that it is less stressful. 120 can really be a pain sometimes. Speeders, RV's etc.

Great! One side of my trailheads are accessible.

But, the other side, down along the San Joaquin, is still nuked. Agnew Meadows to Reds Meadow has more than 10,000 trees down and all over the trails. Agnew Meadows campground may not even reopen by August. Seriously.