Thanks for all the comments.

The signs I saw today don't contain any 'may' word, it's a 'must' and with 'no exception' on it. The sign was permanent, I don't know if CHP turned it 90 degrees during summer.

I called CHP earlier today and was told that if I drive into Yosemite I have to have chain in the car at ALL times. I have also searched online to find some information about where exactly they have chain control areas in CA, and with no luck.

We were hoping to get to Shaver Lake and there was a sign just after Prather. We were able to drive up to above 3000 ft before there is a turnaround point. The weather was fine here in Clovis but then it was extremely foggy up there and it's pretty cloudy early this afternoon.

The mountain is very beautiful and we really hope to see them. Where can you find cheap chain that costs a few bucks? The cheapest we have seen online is about USD 20. We are driving a Chevy Traverse and it's a pretty big tires. We feel that it's a waste to spend USD 20 for something that is required to have but not needed.

We have time to drive around tomorrow before heading to Turlock, and we are thinking about driving up from Clovis on Hwy 41 up to Oakhurst before the check point, and then head north on 49 to Big Oak Flat to see some Giant Sequoia, then to Turlock. We are not intending to get into Yosemite since we only have 1 day there.

Would we run into chain control area if we drive on this route tomorrow?

Thanks in advance!