West - Has anyone driven Zion to Yosemite?

Hi everyone, Mrs Noniron and I are putting together a road trip over Easter and while what we have planned so far seems doable it is this leg that is giving me some concern!

With a glass of wine while peering over my map of the area at home here in Northern Ireland it seems a vast distance to try and cover in one day, is it possible to do it in a day or would it be a fools mission!?

We've been to both parks, but haven't driven directly between the two of them.

Even if conditions are great, you would be in for a very long day, (including refueling and food/restroom stops) and there is a real chance of weather or traffic problems at Easter.

If I were you, I would plan on a night along the way. Get as far as you want, and then find a motel with a vacancy (there is usually something available) or book in advance if you don't want to deal with the uncertainty.

You do have the advantage of a time zone change in your favor, so if you're up for a 12+ hour trip, it may be worth thinking about.

Both Zion and Yosemite are outstanding. While you're in Utah, you might also think about a visit to Bryce. Have a great trip!

This old thread might be of interest to you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/west/303152-drive-yosemite-zion-np.html

This old thread might be of interest to you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/west/303152-drive-yosemite-zion-np.html

Thank you for the link, I think we'll plan this section with a night stop and do it over two days.

I have driven this route, and others similar to it, in a single day. It's
definitely feasible. But be realistic about two things:

First, it's about 600 miles by shortest route. Although most of the roads are wide open country highways where it's easy to cover distance quickly, that amount of driving is not for everybody.

Second, there are a number of worthwhile sights to see along the way, including Death Valley National Park, Whitney Portal, Bristlecone Pine Forest, Mono Lake, and the Tioga Pass area (eastern entrance) of Yosemite. If you blow through in a single day you may have enough time for a quick nature walk in just one of these areas. I suggest taking the route more slowly and enjoying some of these areas unless your schedule really demands covering ground quickly.

Hi everyone, Mrs Noniron and I are putting together a road trip over Easter and while what we have planned so far seems doable it is this leg that is giving me some concern!

With a glass of wine while peering over my map of the area at home here in Northern Ireland it seems a vast distance to try and cover in one day, is it possible to do it in a day or would it be a fools mission!?

I have driven this route, and others similar to it, in a single day. It's
definitely feasible. But be realistic about two things:

First, it's about 600 miles by shortest route. Although most of the roads are wide open country highways where it's easy to cover distance quickly, that amount of driving is not for everybody.

Second, there are a number of worthwhile sights to see along the way, including Death Valley National Park, Whitney Portal, Bristlecone Pine Forest, Mono Lake, and the Tioga Pass area (eastern entrance) of Yosemite. If you blow through in a single day you may have enough time for a quick nature walk in just one of these areas. I suggest taking the route more slowly and enjoying some of these areas unless your schedule really demands covering ground quickly.

Tioga Pass will almost definitely not be open for Easter 2012. It's extremely rarely open in April, it generally opens by Memorial Day but has been as late as 4th of July.

This means your routes limited to heading south through the Mojave or the like making for fast driving, but not much scenery. Easter in Yosemite can be limiting because of a number of roads closed from snow.

Tioga Pass will almost definitely not be open for Easter 2012. It's extremely rarely open in April, it generally opens by Memorial Day but has been as late as 4th of July.

Good point. I overlooked that the OP is going in early April. Some of the sites I suggested will be closed that time of year. In addition, they are all on the Eastern Sierra, which is a convenient route to Yosemite only when the Tioga Pass is open.

Under those conditions I would be more in favor of driving straight through from Zion to Yosemite if I were doing the trip myself. Note that the distance increases to about 650 miles. If I had at least one extra day in my schedule I would make a side trip to Death Valley. April is generally a nice time to visit there, as the temperatures are hot but not scorching.

Easter in Yosemite can be limiting because of a number of roads closed from snow.

I love visiting Yosemite Valley in the springtime. The weather's beautiful and-- I mean, it's horrible, the roads are snowed in, there's no toilet paper in any of the bathrooms, and the rangers train bears to break into your car and steal your food. Stay away. ;)

Our trip will begin in SFO April 4th and we plan to be in the Yosemite area April 14th-16th

Thanks for all the tips so far.

G

I've done this route over the years in sections.
The HWY 168 Route over Westgard Pass to HWY 395 is particularly interesting. You could stop and tour the Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains for an afternoon you won't regret.
I don't know what April is like in that vicinity nor if the NV & CA DOTs keep the pass open at that time of the year but it is a nice option into the Owens Valley without having to dip down into the Death Valley region. Just be sure you are fueled up as there are no services throughout the traverse.

I've done this route over the years in sections.
The HWY 168 Route over Westgard Pass to HWY 395 is particularly interesting. You could stop and tour the Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains for an afternoon you won't regret.
I don't know what April is like in that vicinity nor if the NV & CA DOTs keep the pass open at that time of the year but it is a nice option into the Owens Valley without having to dip down into the Death Valley region. Just be sure you are fueled up as there are no services throughout the traverse.

I think Westgard Pass will probably be open but the road up to even the lower Bristlecone Pine grove, the Schuman Grove, very possibly closed (it is at 10,000-12,000', after all, even if the White Mountains get less snow than the Sierra). OP might call the White Mountain Ranger station at 760-873-2400 (Inyo National Forest) to see what roads (and trails) are open. Highway 50 across Nevada could be interesting.

I agree that Tioga Pass being closed is pretty much a given. See http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/clsdlst.htm

Mapquest, Google Maps, etc. will likely show as the most direct route going over the Sierra to the south (Tehachapi Pass). Boring route, though one could add a side trip to Death Valley. I'd rather head ove the Sierra around Lake Tahoe (Echo Summit or Donner Summit; Monitor Pass IF a light snowfall year) to Hwy. 49, and south on 49. Reservations for accommodations in Yosemite are a MUST at that time of year. If the snow has melt enough for the waterfalls to be big, crowds could be big.

BTW, I think two days is an absolute minimum. If taking the Tahoe loop, I'd consider adding an extra day, or be prepared for every long days of driving.

Hi everyone, Mrs Noniron and I are putting together a road trip over Easter and while what we have planned so far seems doable it is this leg that is giving me some concern!

With a glass of wine while peering over my map of the area at home here in Northern Ireland it seems a vast distance to try and cover in one day, is it possible to do it in a day or would it be a fools mission!?In early April, I wouldn't even dream of trying that trip. Certain mountain passes will be definitely closed, and you might not even know which ones are closed until you get there. Conditions in the Sierras can change very quickly and can be dangerous if you're not prepared with both the right gear and knowledge of how to handle the conditions.

Yes, both Zion and Yosemite are spectacular, but in between them is hundreds of miles of poor roads with few amenities and probable weather complications.

Now, if you tried the same trip at the end of May or early June, I'd say check the road conditions, but go for it.



p.s. I'll add I'm a native California who has driven most of the roads on that route in a variety of weather conditions, and I don't care to try some of them ever again!

As far as I'm concerned, the road from Zion to Yosemite goes through Las Vegas. Problem solved. :D :D :D