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Tioga Road (Tioga Road to Crane Flat Junction)

Posted on October 17, 2008 by: Traveler

Best Time To Visit: Memorial Day to October 31st
Closest City: Lee Vining
State: 7
Country: 209

DIRECTIONS: From California 395 near the city of Lee Vining, take Highway 120 (Tioga Road) up to Tioga Pass (9,945 ft.) and into Yosemite National Park. This write-up of the Tioga Road will cover the sights traveling from east (Tioga Pass) to west (Crane Flat junction).

DESCRIPTION: DANA MEADOWS- At first you will pass through the Dana Meadows area with Mount Dana's 13,057 ft. summit (second highest in the park after Mount Lyell at 13,114 ft.) commanding the skyline. Dana Meadows will be mostly to the left side of the road. Continuing toward the Tulomne Meadow area, you will pass a couple smaller unnamed meadows. Don't miss an unnamed lake on the left side of the road which reflects Mt. Dana's pyramid profile. Tioga Road will then start to parallel the Dana Fork Tuolumne River which will also appear to the left.

TUOLUMNE MEADOW- When you start to see the Dana Fork Tuolumne, that's indication you're getting close to the meadow because soon the Dana Fork Tuolumne, Lyell Fork Tuolumne and lesser watersheds like Rafferty Creek will merge to form the main branch of the Tuolumne River. The Tuolumne River is one of the centerpieces of Tuolumne Meadows area.

TENAYA LAKE- Just past the eastern end of Tuolumne Meadow, the road will begin descending to Tenaya Lake.

OLMSTED POINT- Area of the Tioga Road where views south all the way down to Half Dome unfold.

MAY LAKE ROAD- A two mile junction leading up to the parking area/ trailhead of May Lake High Sierra Camp and Mount Hoffman.

PORCUPINE FLAT CAMPGROUND- coming soon

YOSEMITE CREEK CAMPGROUND- coming soon

WHITE WOLF CAMPGROUND- coming soon

TAMARACK FLAT CAMPGROUND- coming soon

CRANE FLAT AREA- This area is where the Tioga Road (Highway 120 east) meets up with the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 west). By heading toward the Big Oak Flat Entrance (right fork at the Y junction with the stem being the Tioga road), you will pass Crane Flat and Hogdon Meadow Campgrounds and the Tuolumne and Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. The Big Oak Flat Road also continues down to Yosemite Valley (left fork at the Y junction with the stem being the Tioga road). The Crane Flat gas station is the closest fill up point to Yosemite Valley. There are public restrooms and a gift shop here as well.

ROAD CLOSURE: The Tioga Road is closed west of Tioga Pass from November to May (usually Memorial Day weekend). Highway 120 closes in the winter. Now, I don't know when the two closures coincide, but I do know it is some of the best off-piste skiing near the Tioga Pass Resort. You just need to have some cross country skis to even get there. Check out the link below of an article featured in Sierra Heritage Magazine.

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