Quick trip over Tioga.

[billharr]

Wanted to get out and see the Perseid meteor shower. Went through Yosemite using the timed pass. Should have taken a picture of the pass they gave you for the window. 2 hours to drive across, No stopping, Must stay in your car and several other restrictions. Still a great view driving across. Drove all the way down and had lunch at Whoa Nellie Deli. Still great food but the price have gone up since last year. $22.00 for the steak salad, up $4.00. Have never stayed at any of the campgrounds along Lee Vining Creek. Drove through all of them, thick trees would not allow the view we wanted for the meteors. Also getting hot 90 degrees. We did stop at Ellery Lake Campground coming over, it was only 73 degrees there and clear view of the ski. So up the hill we went. Only 4 spots left when we got there and we got one, all filled that afternoon.

Thursday and lots of people everywhere. Well we struck out on the meteor shower but the sky was still beautiful to look at in the darkness. I think this was the highest we have camped at over 9,500 ft. 40 degrees in the morning, love having a heater to take the chill off. We both had a small headache in the morning. Not sure if altitude or the smoke. Oh yes the smoke, we had planned to spend two nights and return on Saturday. Air quality made this a one night trip. Did some sightseeing on the return over Sonora Pass. Went by the Upside down house in Lee Vining. Checked out several FS campgrounds on Sonora Pass. Pulled into Lee Vining Falls overlook, this is an unmarked gem most drive by. All the traffic was headed uphill so an easy drive. Final stop Donnell Vista for lunch before we drive down the hill into the heat. Short but a great trip.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks Bill.Nice to see you out and about in the new rig.
Was the night sky overcast?
No meteor shower here just cooling fog.
Frank

 

[ski3pin]

Good for you getting a site at Ellery Lake. That is pretty country up on that bench. Smoke was awful everywhere yesterday and even worse today as we returned home from the east side.

Thanks Bill, we both enjoy your trip stories!

 

[Ronin]

Aaah.... Blue Skies!! Great looking rig. Thanks!!

 

[Vic Harder]

Aaah.... Blue Skies!! Great looking rig. Thanks!!

I was thinking the same thing... I see barely any smoke in those pics.

 

[teledork]

So they are doing the timed pass again? Years ago we used to drive through the park from Tioga to the South entrance. We had three hours.

 

[billharr]

So they are doing the timed pass again? Years ago we used to drive through the park from Tioga to the South entrance. We had three hours.

2 hours and you still have to have a Pass or pay $35 for a car. How they can charge $35 for 2 hours I don't know.

 

[Stokeme]

Happy to see you getting out Bill, congrats on using your new rig.

 

[firemen7]

Thanks for sharing, this was one of my favorite drives and camping areas when we lived in the Valley. A great place to view the meteor display is along HWY 4 near Highland Lakes area.