Expert: Steve Summers - 7/18/2007

Question
Hi Steve,

My family plans to go to Yosemite Valley this summer. I am a little afraid of high and not very good driving along the cliff. I can take highway 41 from Fresno or take 140 from Merced into Yosemite Valley.  Out of these two choices, which one is easy to drive for the people like me?  

Answer
Hi Steven,

I am also going to Yosemite this year (woohoo!). August 4-11, I'll be in site 216 Aug 4-9, and 238 Aug 9-11. Stop by and say Hi.

If you are coming from the south, Highway 41 is the way to go. There aren't many "cliffs" along the road going in. There's a short stretch near Coarsegold (inbound), and some outbound places going up out of the valley by the Wawona Tunnel. Other than that, it's not bad at all via 41. I drive a 30 foot RV, and it's not difficult, since the speed limit is 30 MPH anyway in the park.

Highway 140 has some hairy spots, especially since the flood of '97.

And if you don't like heights or "cliffs", it's best to avoid highway 120 up to the high country. Glacier Point road is OK, though.

Have fun! Hope to see you there!