It has sand dunes, salty lake beds, volcano craters, ghost towns and miles of views. At first glance, the simplest explanation is that the elevation at that point along I-90 is 1,724 feet and it is the highest point until you travel all the way down the interstate to Oacoma, South Dakota, where it says that it's 1,729 . Down in Lone Pine, the Museum of Western Film History delves more deeply into the areas connections with shows like The Lone Ranger and movies such asDjango Unchained. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84862023', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Death Valley and see if we can get weather reports and road conditions. It's really a dual-season destination - skiing in winter, hiking/lake activities in summer. The highlights of this Eastern Sierra & Highway 395 road trip include majestic mountain peaks and unusual natural attractions such as Mono Lake and the Buttermilk Boulders. The California portion of US395 is a 557-mile (896km) route which traverses from Interstate 15 (I-15) in Hesperia, north to the Oregon state line in Modoc County near Goose Lake. For good eats, check out the Erick Schats Bakker or the Holy Smoke Texas Barbeque. Leaving the Sierra Nevada and the 395 behind, its time to hit Death Valley, notorious as the hottest place on earth: 134F (56.6C) was recorded here in 1913. For the entire route, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, California postmile Official postmile definitions, "Officially Designated State Scenic Highways and Historic Parkways", "New segment of State Route 58 opens near Kramer Junction", "Kramer Junction Solar Electric Generating Station", Map of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad/ Western Pacific and Connections, "Google Maps street maps and USGS topographic maps", "State Maintained Highways, Descriptions, Index & Maps and NHS", "Office of Historic Preservation California State Parks", American Association of State Highway Officials, California State Department of Public Works, "Olancha/Cartago 4-Lane Mitigation Planting", "FW: Olancha Cartago Cottonwood Mitigation Area", "Olancha Cartago 4 Lane Project: Project Information", "Environmental Impact Statement; San Bernardino County, CA", "City Council, Community Redevelopment Agency, Fire Protection District, Water District Agenda Date: April 4, 2007", "Widening of Highway 395 continues in Victorville and Adelanto", "US-395 Widening Project Receives $24 Million: Don't Celebrate Too Soon", "Elevation and Location of Summits and Passes in California", Template:Attached KML/U.S. Article first published in October 2015, and last updated in January 2021. State Elevation(ft.)1 Highest point Elevation(ft.)Lowest point Elevation(ft.)Alabama 500 Cheaha Mountain 2,405 Gulf of Mexico Sea levelAlaska 1,900 Mt. Farmers and ranchers raised cattle and other goods to trade with the mining boom towns nearby. Second choice is to take I-5 up to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the coast. If the lake is too crowded, then we suggest going a little further south and heading up McGee Creek. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29824053', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland to Long Beach, WA. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. If you need to rent a car, get your best rental car deal by comparingprices with Rentalcars.com. The lake is the calm centerpiece of the action, famous as the largest alpine lake in North America and for its amazingly clear water thanks to its height (6225ft above sea level) and the waters depth (1644ft in places) algae cant grow here, allowing unparalleled underwater views. The calculator provides a way to calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are planning or for reference purposes. To cool off, head up to Dantes View where the rewards are not just lower temperatures (youre at nearly 5000ft here) but also the chance to end your trip with a view of the contiguousUS highest point, Mt Whitney, in the distance, and North Americas lowest point, Badwater Basin, below you. [48] The northern portion, through Cartago, will become a county route. Some questions I hope you can help with: 1) how likely is it that there are winter conditions on this road at that time of the year? Huh, and here I think of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you drive over Tioga pass through Yosemite, the trails there are not dog-friendly. For more information, start with our mega guide for Death Valley that includes practical planning tips, routing suggestions, accommodations and top things to do. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29830794', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland and Long Beach are both pretty much at sea level and there are no hills/mountains of any significance in between (Long Beach is on the ocean; the Columbia River connects Portland to the ocean.). The summit on Hwy 4 is only around 760feet. After reading this full article, you can see why its worth devoting at least 5 days to your California 395 road trip. The highest point on 395 is Conway Summit, at 8,143 feet above sea level. On May 20, 1880, the Carson and Colorado Railway was formed, with the intent of extending a rail line from the existing Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Hawthorne, Nevada through the Owens Valley towards the Colorado River. I don't remember the dirt road to Mono Lake being that bad or even that long. It is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945ft (3,031m)[1]. In the spring/fall, you shouldnt have a problem. The elevation on this trip varies wildly, which is also why timing is so dependent upon the season. The highest point in the Atigun Pass lies on the Continental Divide. I recommend taking mix of:trail mix,energy bars, individual cheese slices (or string cheese), crackers, pretzels, soda, water and candy bars. The extension first appeared on the Official Nevada Highway map in 1935 and its Californian equivalent in 1936. Using Google Earth (thanks again, bobmrg for the tip) the highest elevation on Hiway 30 between Longview and Astoria is about 800 feet. The US is home to some of the most diverse spots on the planet for a natural soak outside. There are also quite a few frontage roads that you can use. Then head into the Alabama Hills to see the filming locations for yourself. I suppose we'll check once we're in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yosemite dazzles with its natural good looks, and its four seasons each offer something special. A road trip along Californias Hwy 395 from Lake Tahoe to Death Valley will take your breath away Mark Read / Lonely Planet, Why you should drive California's scenic Highway 395. Don't know if you are mixed up or not, phirl. Mono Lake is worth visiting for its crazy limestone tufa towers, which stagger upright out of the lake like crusty white zombies. The trail was in common use by prospectors passing through the area because of the California gold rush and Comstock Lode. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town.. Ive lived in California for decades and been to the Eastern Sierras a number of times, but it took while for it to work its magic on me. Whether you have a permit or not, its worth the drive up here for the views on the way, the fresh mountain air, and the chance to eat and pick up souvenirs (and tales of the trail) at the Whitney Portal Store. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Route 395 in California, The Three Flags Highway: US395 at Floodgap Roadgap, U.S. Highway 395: California's 'mother road', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._Route_395_in_California&oldid=1131012455, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; south end of US 395; former US 395 south; I-15 north exit 141, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; former US 395, Interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; former, Gill Station Coso Road, Sykes Road Coso Junction Rest Area, North end of SR 168 overlap; East Line Street serves, No left turn from southbound US 395; western terminus of US 6, Interchange; through traffic from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile closed in winters, South end of SR 120 overlap; through traffic to Benton closed in winters, North end of SR 120 overlap; through traffic to Yosemite closed in winter, Agricultural Inspection Station (southbound only), Agricultural Inspection Station (northbound only), The only numbered exit on US 395 in California; former, This page was last edited on 2 January 2023, at 03:33. This lovely alpine lake is named after a bruhaha that ensued after a group of escaped prisoners hid out there. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town. Its highest point is located at Sherman Hill Summit in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne at an elevation of . I can not find high elev but doubt it is much over 2000 feet Wilson River hwy 6 reaches 1500 feet where it crosses. Google Earth is a good way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers. 4. The new southern terminus of US395 was at Pacific Highway (former US 101) in San Diego. Yes, Highway 395 is much more scenic than I-5 or CA-99. If you want to fly and drive, use our guide for finding the closest Eastern Sierra airport. The snow would not likely be as heavy or prolonged as winter snow, but it can happen and it can make short closures (395 is a maintenance priority) or chain controls necessary. So check that out if you are going to be hanging around in the area. Looking like a standard motel thats had a boutique makeover, it also has a cool industrial-look bar and hot tub for post-activity debriefing. Amtraks USA Rail Pass lets you do it. Its very detailed and shows both paved and dirt roads as well as state parks and some campsites. It is the longest state highway in Oregon, running 237 miles (381 km) from the community of White City, Oregon (just north of Medford ), through Klamath Falls and on to Lakeview. Just past the base, the road intersects State Route58 (SR58) at Kramer Junction. [17] On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. There are tons of hot springs along this route. A popular recreation and camping area exists just north of the summit of the pass at Tioga Lake. california's-10-best-hiking-trails-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/california-best-hiking-trails">, california's-top-experiences-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-25-experiences-in-california">, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ive seen the obvious other options of I-5 and CA-99 described as very boring and that doesnt seem like a fitting end to what promises to be an amazing trip. It then continues east, eventually descending into the state of Nevada. 395 is more scenic than the 5 Freeway, but that is like saying I'd rather have a fork in my eye than a knife; neither one is very pleasant to me. On US 30 it feels like you pull away from river and climb over a small hill. [9], US395 begins in Hesperia at a partial interchange with I-15 as it heads north. Could I get you opinion on driving times? Head south toward LA. Weather conditions this year may be just right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California. [3], US395 scales the Sierra Nevada on a ridge between the canyons of the Owens River and Rock Creek. You should also purchase aroadside safely kitwhich includes things like a warning triangle, jumper cables, glass breaker, multi tool, cable ties and small first aid kit. Mobile signals are very spotty on 395 and Google Maps wont always work there. Want to crisscross the vast USA in 30 days by train? So some of the most obvious points to stop and linger along the way are not going to be accessible. Bishop is the largest town that sits right on the highway and its well-served by plenty of mid-range motels like Days Inn, Travelodge and Comfort Inn. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. On the 95 freeway between Las Vegas and Reno, it's also known as the "free range art highway." As a card-carrying member of the Weird Art Lovers Association (JK but if that's a real thing let me know), the more I learned was available off this highway, the more I wanted to road trip it. This point is also where US395 departs from former rail corridors, with the former Carson and Colorado grade following the modern US6 corridor towards Hawthorne and Tonopah, Nevada. Many Forest Service campgrounds are first-come or they reserve a few spots for last minute campers, but that works best if you can get there before 10am on a Friday. U.S. Route 395 ( US 395) is a United States Numbered Highway, stretching from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border in Laurier, Washington. This pass, like many other passes in the Sierra Nevada, has a gradual approach from the west and drops off to the east dramatically, losing more than 3,000ft (910m) by the time the road reaches U.S. Route 395. Dont do Sonora Pass if you have an extra large RV, because you wont make the hairpin turns at the eastern end. And then there are the ghost towns, living towns, ski resorts, tufa formations, film locations and more. Among the more notable upgrades, the Los Peasquitos Creek Arch Bridge, along the portion of former US395 now used by I-15, was built in 1949, and replaced in 1964, with a second span built in 1977. [36][37] By 1937, US6 had been extended to California, concurrent with US395 between Bishop and Inyokern.[36]. After leaving the Victorville area, the scenery changes as suburban neighborhoods disappear and the highway traverses the Mojave Desert. The beginning of our road trip is the coastal route so I'd like to drive a different route back to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park: How to Plan Your Visit, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? This will be the last leg of our trip, we fly back home from San Francisco. The Coast Range summit on 30 is almost 2x higher than the summit on Washington hwy 4 at Longview off I5. The winding descent from Devil's Gate follows the West Walker River, exiting near the towns of Walker and Coleville in the Antelope Valley, a few miles south of Topaz Lake which is on the California-Nevada State Line. Each day has 2-5 cool things do do and see as well as at least one scenic detour that gets you slightly off 395. Along the shores of Owens Lake, the highway passes by Cartago and Olancha. [3] After passing by three small lakes, Little Lake and North and South Haiwee Reservoirs, the highway enters the Owens Valley. Passenger vehicles can use the unpaved road to Bodie ghost town, but it is famous for its bumps and potholes. Just 45 minutes south is Mono (pronounced moh-no) Lake. The hike up the highest peak in the lower 48 states is straightforward the path, opened in 1904, had to be easyenough for mules carrying building materials forthe Smithsonian Institution shelter at the summit, constructed to observe a transit of Venus but obtaining the permit for the climb is not quite so simple: theres a lottery held each year to restrict numbers. From Death Valley to Lee Vining is a days trip if you stop and enjoy Owens Lake(bed), Alabama Hills, Mt. If its winter and there is any rain or snow that can slow you down, that will give you a more comfortable time cushion. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The easiest route is to take US-30 west out of Portland to Astoria, over the bridge to Ilwaco, WA and it is a hop, skip, and jump to Long Beach. Our xenophobic reflex to the bombing of Pearl Harbor resulted in the imprisonment of 11,000 Japanese Americans at Manzanar. Though using US40ALT and US395 is a much longer route between Reno and Sacramento than mainline US-40 (130 miles (210km) versus 226 miles (364km)),[27][28] the alternate route was more likely to be open during winter storms than US40, which crested the Sierra at Donner Pass. This exit is numbered 8, even though it resides hundreds of miles from the origin of the highway; the exit number instead uses the distance from the point of re-entry to California. Just before arriving at Mono Lake, US395 has a brief concurrency with SR120; the two routes separate at the southern end of Lee Vining. Head to the South Tufa Area where you can learn more about the weird, tower-like limestone formations known as tufa (created by the action of the lakes water with the salts in it), the billions of tiny shrimp that call the lake home, and, if youre here in autumn, the millions of migrating birds who feast on the shrimp and flies. Tioga Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. Nick/Flickr Both Mount Whitney and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are visible from US395. [citation needed]. The lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, is here too, an area of strikingly white salt flats sitting at 282ft below sea level. April is in the spring when spring storms that are winter-like are still possible, and they could leave snow or ice on the roads, even on 395 itself. [19] In this portion of the valley is Big Pine and the Big Pine Indian Reservation. Wellit's a draw either way. Stay andeat:For easy access to the 395 stay in South Lake Tahoe at Basecamp Hotel. From this point north, the highway follows a rail line originally built by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway; the line is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.[3][14]. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. Highway 395 actually runs from Californias border with Oregon all the way down to Victorville. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. US395 travels in a north-northeast direction for the last 50 miles (80km) in California, paralleling the east shore of Goose Lake just before crossing the Oregon state line at New Pine Creek, Oregon. For much of the route described here, 395 is a four lane divided highway. Whats next for the food scene? The trail was first believed to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826. It takes about four days to get a good feel for the region so join us on a north-south, semi-secret, always spectacular road trip. All rights reserved. Topaz Lake is where US395 leaves California, to serve the Reno and Carson City metropolitan areas. You can do as much or as little as you want of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail. Elevation: 1415m / 4642feet Barometric Pressure: 85KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: A painted sky Wonder Walk Butte Creek Falls Sunrise in a Crater.. Oregon Cascades Pano Rowena Sunrise Evening on the Cape Oneonta Falls. It boomed from 1882 to 1932 and is a well-preserved relic of our gold rush. This pile of basalt columns was created 100,000 years ago when a flow cooled and cracked into multi-sided columns. The story told here, of how thousands of Japanese Americans were seen as a security threat and forcibly moved from the coast to live in the harsh desert environment, is an overlooked and controversial episode in the countrys history. Suge La, Tibet (China) - 5,430 m (17,815 ft) Another mountain in Tibet is not far from Lhasa, high up in the Nyenchen Dangla Mountains. to Bridgeport U.S. 395: From Sonora Junction to Walker SR 203: From Meridian Blvd to U.S. 395 Google Earth is a good way to evaluate routes, albeit without elevation numbers. Portions of Pomerado Road today are signed "Historic US 395". The railroad was never completed past Keeler on the shores of Owens Lake. Once in Bridgeport, head over to Travertine Hot Springs. I have been to coast on both US 30 and Wash-4, but not a regular. Start with an old school map. Formerly a fertile lake and valley, Owens Lake and the southern portion of the valley are now dry. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84858223', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California (and bits of Nevada, Arizona and Utah) for about a month. [49], In 2002, Caltrans signed a memorandum of understanding with San Bernardino County, Hesperia, Victorville and Adelanto to establish a six-lane freeway through the Victor Valley. Scott, that is still a million times better than the 99, or the soul-crushing I-5! Alternatively you can build a trip from this 2-day Death Valley itinerary. Tioga requires the National Park fee. You can adjust this 395 road trip to fit a 3-4 day timeframe, but youll need to make some hard choices about what you have time for. If you like this kind of spare desert landscape in the southeastern Sierras, youll love Death Valley. Back on the 395, its only 100 miles to Lone Pine but theres plenty to see and do on the way. You can compare the elevation of land between just about any type of location. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. If you have time, detour down Highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park. If you are driving your own car, dont forget to check your oil and tire pressure before you leave and you should also invest in roadside assistance. Dana Meadows contains several small lakes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84861345', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California/Nevada state line, it is highly scenic. A portion of this line is still active and, through a series of acquisitions, the Union Pacific Railroad now owns this line. Or if you are short on time, but still want to see Death Valley, get a very early start and use this 1-day itinerary. The Tioga Pass is still closed. Start your adventure in Tahoe, a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with skiing in winter and just about every other activity the rest of the year (the east shores Flume Trail is a must for mountain bikers). We would be driving here mid April. You will be limited by road conditions. FYI - I think Hiway 30' gets to about 2000 feet along that route. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. (Were good with a few long driving days but well have to be in San Francisco on the third day to catch our flight so we dont have a lot of wriggle room. If you prefer a steady path without steep grades, use the flat route finder to get the least elevation change. r Ranges. Here is how it looks for 200+ miles. The highway enters the state in a corner of Sierra County, entering Lassen County just 3 miles (4.8km) later. Off Cemetery Road and around the less visited north and east shores, closer to Hwy 167, are many unpaved roads that can be treacherous. The June Lake area is served from June Lake Junction by the June Lake Loop Road (SR158). Or for solid American cookinghead to Evans or the Beacon Bar & Grill, both west of town on the way to not-to-be-missed Emerald Bay. This Summit also separates the Mono Lake watershed from that of the East Walker River. In 2006, Caltrans proposed to realign US395 through the city of Adelanto due to traffic congestion. Rowena Plateau.. Multnomah Falls ~ Oregon Astoria Sunrise Wiesendanger Falls Oregon Dunes Pano If you dont live in California and are flying into Reno, check out this airport guide, which includes information rental cars and which carriers fly into Reno. I appreciate your feedback. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Both the northern and southern segments of the US395 corridor were used by railroads built in the 1880s branching from the First transcontinental railroad in Nevada. Lets get started with some logistics about how and when to plan your trip. Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured on the road as it was in 1964, based on the alignment that existed at the time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage. [26] SR70 was at one time numbered U.S. Route 40 Alternate, using US395 from this junction south to Reno to connect with the mainline US40 (now I-80). There is a short <1 mile hike to get to the postpile and an additional 5 mile roundtrip hike to visit the Rainbow Falls. While crossing the desert, the route clips the northeastern corner of Edwards Air Force Base. [42], Due to a higher than average accident rate within Olancha, Caltrans proposed to bypass the communities of Olancha in 2010. Both will get you to Long Beach, 401 being a little bit shorter. This is a quiet, pretty road that winds through pine forest. Have fun and goest thou soon in thy shiny car. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. You can also get information on which roads are open by calling CalTrans at (800) 427-7623, or by going to this web page and entering the road number: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roadscell.cgi. Both lines were intended to connect the main Southern Pacific Railroad line in Nevada with other lines, but were never completed.