Eastern Sierra US-395 & Yosemite Crossing

Head north from Los Angeles along US-395, crossing the mountains via Tioga Road to Yosemite and San Francisco

Avoid the crowded western side and travel along the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada: unique rock formations, ancient pines, and alpine lakes unfold before you cross Tioga Road into Yosemite Valley. Daily driving times are short, leaving plenty of time for short hikes. Ideal for returning visitors to California and outdoor enthusiasts. The trade-off is that this route can only be done during the mountain pass opening season; it is impossible to cross when the road is closed.

Tioga Road is open from around May/June to November, and Devils Postpile is open from around mid-June to October.

Day by day

Day 1 · Los Angeles to Lone Pine

Lone Pine & Alabama Hills（Alabama Hills、Mobius Arch、Movie Road & Film Locations）

Leave Los Angeles early and drive along CA-14 and US-395 to Lone Pine, about 340 km, taking 3.5 hours.

Stay: Lone Pine

Day 2 · Whitney Portal to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Lone Pine & Alabama Hills（Whitney Portal、Manzanar National Historic Site） → Bishop（Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest – Schulman Grove）

Drive from Lone Pine to Bishop in about 1 hour, then head up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest along CA-168, taking about 1 hour one way.

The ancient pine forest is at an elevation of about 3,000 meters; walk slowly. The road may close after autumn.

Stay: Downtown Bishop

Day 3 · Bishop Creek to Mammoth Lakes

Bishop（Lake Sabrina） → Mammoth Lakes（Convict Lake、Hot Creek Geological Site）

Drive from Bishop into the creek valley in about 40 minutes, then head along US-395 to Mammoth Lakes in about 1 hour after leaving the mountains.

Stay: The Village at Mammoth

Day 4 · Mammoth Mountain and Devils Postpile

Mammoth Lakes（Minaret Vista、Devils Postpile National Monument、Rainbow Falls、Panorama Gondola & Mammoth Summit）

During the open season, you usually need to take a shuttle to Devils Postpile, which takes about half a day including the hike. Take the gondola to the summit in the afternoon.

The round-trip hike to Rainbow Falls is about 4 km; start early to avoid the crowds.

Stay: The Village at Mammoth

Day 5 · Mono Lake and Crossing Tioga Pass

Mammoth Lakes（June Lake Loop） → Yosemite National Park（Mono Lake & South Tufa、Tuolumne Meadows、Tenaya Lake、Olmsted Point）

Drive from Mammoth Lakes via the June Lake Loop to Mono Lake in about 1 hour, then cross Tioga Road into the valley in about 2.5 hours.

There are no gas stations or supplies along the way, so fuel up in Lee Vining first.

Stay: Yosemite Valley

Day 6 · Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point

Yosemite National Park（Yosemite Falls、Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls、Tunnel View、Glacier Point）

Take the free shuttle within the valley. The drive to Glacier Point takes about 1 hour one way, with Tunnel View along the way.