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June 28, 2011

Carson City to Oakhurst

Today's target was Yosemite. Some of us left early and planned on a couple of scenic detours before taking the Tioga Pass entrance into Yosemite. We traveled down 395 from Carson City, then took the detour up to the top of Monitor Pass (8314 ft elevation) and then back down and back onto 395. Then we took the road past the Marine Base and up to the summit of Sonora Pass (9824 ft). Franz, on the BMW, had the best time on the turns, but Rob and Udo did a great job. The surprise was Clemens, who manhandled that Town and Country van around all the curves and kept us with the bikes. We then backtracked down to 395 and stopped for a break at the Whoa Nellie Deli in the gas station at the junction of 395 and the Tioga Pass road. Nobody was quite ready for a meal so they did not get to taste lobster tacos or bison meat loaf sandwiches, etc. After a coffee break, we headed back onto the Tioga Pass (9345 ft) route into the Park. At one of the early viewpoints, we caught up with the rest of the group, including Herbert and Ulli, in the Porsche. As a whole group we stopped at several viewpoints and also Bridalveil Falls, where the spray was so strong Udo and Manu wore their helmets to keep their heads from getting wet. Franz was originally heading for Oakdale for the night, but Spike really wanted to see the giant Sequoias at the Mariposa Grove, so we went that way and after walking/climbing to see all the trees, left the Park through the southern exit to Fish Camp and then stopped in Oakhurst. Yosemite was packed with tourists and motel rooms were scarce or the prices were hugely inflated. We finally found rooms at the last motel in town, America's Best Value Inn, where most of the groups' needs were met and there were several restaurants within walking distance.