The winding descent from Devil's Gate follows the West Walker River, exiting near the towns of Walker and Coleville in the Antelope Valley, a few miles south of Topaz Lake which is on the California-Nevada State Line. Basically, Bodie SHP is open all year long, but in the winter it is only reachable by skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. In the winter, many of the smaller RV parks are closed. Mt Whitney is the lower 48's highest peak and is a prime destination for hikers, climbers and mountaineers around the world. So, I was able to perfectly time my visit for fall color. Clifton Wilkinsontraveled along the 395with support from Visit California. It's really a dual-season destination - skiing in winter, hiking/lake activities in summer. The drivegoespast the Alabama Hills, a popular film location for dozens of movies and TV shows thanks to its varied landscapes. The instructions are from Las Vegas, so ignore the driving directions, but otherwise use the suggested routing once in the park. [3], US395 scales the Sierra Nevada on a ridge between the canyons of the Owens River and Rock Creek. This itinerary is also a great routing if you are driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas (or vice versa). I do not know where it gets even close to 2000 feet elev, US-26 crosses the Coast. This National Historic Park remembers that tragedy with guided tours and exhibits. After reading this full article, you can see why its worth devoting at least 5 days to your California 395 road trip. Stay andeat:There are three main sleeping and eating areas in the park: Panamint Springs; Stovepipe Wells; and The Oasis at Death Valley. Get more info in our full guide to Convict lake, which include info on additional hikes, where to camp and how to rent a boat or kayak. The highway retains that name as it travels through Tuolumne Meadows, over Tioga Pass at an elevation of 9,945 feet, and through the Lee Vining Canyon on its 59-mile (95 km) journey to its intersection with U.S. Route 395, at Lee Vining. When you get to Naselle, you can either take hwy 101 or hwy 401. The road then enters Adelanto, on the western edge of Victorville. Article first published in October 2015, and last updated in January 2021. US395 traverses the entire length of the Owens Valley, entering the valley near the former site of the Owens Lake. There are tons of hot springs along this route. [3][12], After leaving Kramer Junction, US395 passes the Kramer Junction Solar Electric Generating Station. Alabama Hills is very reminiscent of Utah with its red, rocky landscape. Along the shores of Owens Lake, the highway passes by Cartago and Olancha. The route via the Eastern Sierra seems a lot more scenic. [24] The highway returns to follow the receding escarpment of the Sierra. Though the railroad is abandoned north of Searles Station, US395 parallels the old railroad grade from this point to Lone Pine.[3][14]. Dana Meadows contains several small lakes. Nick/Flickr Ive lived in California for decades and been to the Eastern Sierras a number of times, but it took while for it to work its magic on me. It is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945 ft (3,031 m) [1]. There are four highway passes to the north, between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, but none to the south for about 200mi (320km), until Sherman Pass in southern Tulare County. On May 20, 1880, the Carson and Colorado Railway was formed, with the intent of extending a rail line from the existing Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Hawthorne, Nevada through the Owens Valley towards the Colorado River. The section of California 299 east of U.S. 395 was never part of U.S. 299. There arent any attractions along this road, its just a quiet diversion from the highway. The highest point on 395 is Conway Summit, at 8,143 feet above sea level. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84863451', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco :-), I think 395 is stunning and dramatic, a remarkable drive. to Bridgeport U.S. 395: From Sonora Junction to Walker SR 203: From Meridian Blvd to U.S. 395 When the road to it is open, you can drive there, but last 3 miles of it are dirt road. If you ski or snowboard, you could do a winter road trip that includes skiing/boarding in Lake Tahoe and Mammoth along with some of the other 395 attractions. Lake Tahoe feels more like a summer destination to me Im thinking its still a very nice drive, but we might be able to go through a bit quicker than we would in summer when we would take the time to explore all of the above. Just 45 minutes south is Mono (pronounced moh-no) Lake. The highest elevation anywhere on US 395, which goes from the Canadian border through Washington, Oregon, and most of the length of California, is about 8300 feet/2.5 km above sea level. Interstate 80 is a major transcontinental corridor connecting California and New York City. The Coast Range summit on 30 is almost 2x higher than the summit on Washington hwy 4 at Longview off I5. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It can be a city, town, village or even the sea or ocean. ;-). Along with Badwater, its worth visiting Zabriskie Point to see the erosion-carvedrocks that appear toripple across the landscape. Prior to July 1, 1964, the part of SR14 between I-5 and US395 was part of US6 that continued south to Long Beach. Scott, that is still a million times better than the 99, or the soul-crushing I-5! The route was promoted for its scenic value by the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a side trip from its rail lines, as far back as 1912. [33] This line was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1900. The highest point on this drive is Conway Summit which is 8,138 feet (2,480 m) high, enough to cause altitude sickness in some people. This is NOT a swimmable hot spring, but its worth visiting for the bubbling brew of geysers and pools. The regular roads to Mono Lake that most visitors would take are fine. Lets get started with some logistics about how and when to plan your trip. There are a number of servicable (but not fancy) motels in both Lee Vining and June Lake. It starts at the junction of U.S. Route 395 near Topaz Lake and eventually ends up at Mt. After cresting Sherwin Summit, the highway travels along the west shore of Crowley Lake. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. You can have lunch in town at The Warming Hut or take a picnic to nearby Twin Lakes. The next stop is back down Highway 395 at the Manzanar National Historic Park. We love the Benchmark California Road Atlas. These same volcanic forces have also created the many hot springs in along the highway 395 corridor. It's totally paved. [33][34], The corridor for the northern segment was first used by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, a line also started in 1880, at Reno, to connect with the Great Northern Railway in Oregon. This historic site is one of Californias best ghost towns. Read our Privacy Policy. Back on the 395, its only 100 miles to Lone Pine but theres plenty to see and do on the way. If you are driving your own car, dont forget to check your oil and tire pressure before you leave and you should also invest in roadside assistance. Whitney from park roads. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. Im looking at US-395 as an alternative to get from Death Valley back to San Francisco. This is another one of those feels-like-Utah landscapes with spires of eroding red sandstone. Lots to see all along the route. It covers 227 miles of Highway 395, from just south of Carson City to where it ends in Southern California near Victorville. [46][47] Construction on the bypass began in 2022. Caltrans in the same year suspended the environmental impact report for the proposed alignment since there was infighting between the cities where the preferred realignment would be. [48] The northern portion, through Cartago, will become a county route. Each day has 2-5 cool things do do and see as well as at least one scenic detour that gets you slightly off 395. Its very detailed and shows both paved and dirt roads as well as state parks and some campsites. Some of the canyons managed by the Forest Service allow disbursed camping. The summit on Hwy 4 is only around 760feet. Route 89 starts in the south at U.S. 395 near Topaz Lake and the Nevada state border and winds its way up through a series of switchbacks to an elevation of 8,314 feet at Monitor Pass. Your next stop is the scenic June Lake Loop. The lake is the calm centerpiece of the action, famous as the largest alpine lake in North America and for its amazingly clear water thanks to its height (6225ft above sea level) and the waters depth (1644ft in places) algae cant grow here, allowing unparalleled underwater views. [8] This designation means that there are substantial sections of highway passing through a "memorable landscape" with no "visual intrusions", where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community. LOL. Here's when to go. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/elevations.php. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Grab dinner at the Whoa Nellie Deli, which is the best food you will ever find at a gas station. You can also get some inspiration and trivia with these fun facts about Death Valley. The US395 corridor from Lone Pine north to the Nevada state line is noted for a high concentration of natural hot springs leading to the area being known as the "hot springs jackpot".[18]. [6] US395 is eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System,[7] and is officially designated as a scenic highway by the California Department of Transportation from Fort Independence to Fort Springs Road in Inyo County, and from the InyoMono county line to south of Walker. Past Escondido, the route passed through Fallbrook, using portions of what is now SR 78 and SR 76 before returning to I-15 near Temecula. This is just the beginning of many high elevation points on this incredible journey! Highest point County or subdivision Elevation feet Lowest Point County or . If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. Sherwin Summit, at 7,000 feet (2,100m), is the first of five mountain passes crossed by US395 in the Sierra Nevada. Here are the very best road trip routes. In light snow years, the road may remain open until December and open as early as April.[3][4][5]. Be sure to stock your car with adrinks, snacks and lunch supplies. It takes about four days to get a good feel for the region so join us on a north-south, semi-secret, always spectacular road trip. I am regular there. Amtrak, the USAs only passenger train operator, announced that it has taken the first steps to upgrade its overnight trains for the first time in 40 years. Those latter two are a lightly shorter option (in terms of miles) compared to I-80, but beyond that? The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provided the option to retain Interstate status on U.S. 395 through San Bernardino until the Ontario-Devore segment of new I-15 could be completed. State: Highest Point: Highest Elevation (feet) State Elevation Maps: Alabama Highest Point: Cheaha Mt., AL: 2,405: Alabama Elevation Map: Alaska Highest Point: Mt. They try to keep Highway 88 open all year if possible, though a storm could cause it to close temporarily, or if a storm leaves snow or ice on the road then chains could be required on that road too. Now, its time for another detour on your way down to Bishop. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29830794', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland and Long Beach are both pretty much at sea level and there are no hills/mountains of any significance in between (Long Beach is on the ocean; the Columbia River connects Portland to the ocean.). A serious exploration around Mono Lake requires driving on dirt roads (which I might be okay with, but the rental company isnt). But hiking will be limited and you wont be able to transit over the Tioga or Sonora passes. It has sand dunes, salty lake beds, volcano craters, ghost towns and miles of views. The main highway is suitable for any type of vehicle. Prior to truncation, US395 served the metropolitan areas of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino. If you can't find itnot sure it is on the net. In 1969, the portion south of Hesperia was removed and assigned to other routes. Bodie would be a different story - probably inaccessible in April. The hike up the highest peak in the lower 48 states is straightforward the path, opened in 1904, had to be easyenough for mules carrying building materials forthe Smithsonian Institution shelter at the summit, constructed to observe a transit of Venus but obtaining the permit for the climb is not quite so simple: theres a lottery held each year to restrict numbers. Look around the tabs and they also have coast passes, etc. This area is particularly nice in the late spring for wildflowers or for leaf peeping in the fall. Both Mount Whitney and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are visible from US395. Now, on to Convict Lake. This whole area is SOOOOOO dog friendly. This Summit also separates the Mono Lake watershed from that of the East Walker River. Yes, as long as you are a safe driver. You should also purchase aroadside safely kitwhich includes things like a warning triangle, jumper cables, glass breaker, multi tool, cable ties and small first aid kit. Lee Vining is 6781 and by the time you get down to Lone Pine, the elevation is 3,700. (This article contains affiliate links. Fall is nice because the summer crowds have died down, but the Forest Service trails and campgrounds are still open. The snow would not likely be as heavy or prolonged as winter snow, but it can happen and it can make short closures (395 is a maintenance priority) or chain controls necessary. You could cover that mileage in 4 hours, but dont be in a hurry. You can compare the elevation of land between just about any type of location. You can do as much or as little as you want of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek trail. While crossing the desert, the route clips the northeastern corner of Edwards Air Force Base. Visit our Bodie Ghost town guide for all of the details and plan to spend at least 1.5 hours there. At this junction US395 is 12 miles (19km) from Tioga Pass, along SR120, the highest paved through route in California, and the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park. The last junction in California is with SR299, former U.S. Route 299, in Alturas. Start your adventure in Tahoe, a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with skiing in winter and just about every other activity the rest of the year (the east shores Flume Trail is a must for mountain bikers). US395 travels in a north-northeast direction for the last 50 miles (80km) in California, paralleling the east shore of Goose Lake just before crossing the Oregon state line at New Pine Creek, Oregon. Im organizing a geology focused hiking/camping trip in the area, and you provided valuable information. So maybe that makes it more attractive to you? Take a self-guided tour with the map fromthe small museum, peering into homes eerily still filled with their last owners belongings. Mono Lake is worth visiting for its crazy limestone tufa towers, which stagger upright out of the lake like crusty white zombies. Hwy 395 is one of the most beautiful routes in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And then there are the ghost towns, living towns, ski resorts, tufa formations, film locations and more. Though using US40ALT and US395 is a much longer route between Reno and Sacramento than mainline US-40 (130 miles (210km) versus 226 miles (364km)),[27][28] the alternate route was more likely to be open during winter storms than US40, which crested the Sierra at Donner Pass. At the north end of Bishop is the former separation with, and current terminus of, US6, a 3,205-mile (5,158km) route which travels eastward across the US to Provincetown, Massachusetts on the east coast. It's by no means the fastest route north, but it's one of the prettiestparticularly the stretch from its starting point in the Mojave Desert to the state border with Nevada. Formerly a fertile lake and valley, Owens Lake and the southern portion of the valley are now dry. If weather permits, you HAVE to take this route; if you get stuck taking 99 or I-5, dont even look at any pictures or videos of 395 because youll be kicking yourself for the next 10 years (or whenever you can come back and include it). The scenery around the town has doubled as everywhere from India to Spain pick up a locations map from the museum to explore more. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tioga Pass, "Tioga Pass Road Opening and Closing Dates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tioga_Pass&oldid=1135419867, Mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Transportation in Mono County, California, Transportation in Tuolumne County, California, Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 15:26. If the lake is too crowded, then we suggest going a little further south and heading up McGee Creek. [44] In 2020, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power sold the easement rights to build the bypass, while retaining its water rights. US395 follows the valleys along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada as the mountains gradually increase in altitude until reaching their peak at over 14,000 feet (4,300m) near Lone Pine. Alternatively you can build a trip from this 2-day Death Valley itinerary. Running east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it's also a road of superlatives: highest, lowest, hottest, deepest, oldest - the 395 passes close by a whole host of -ests. 25 miles | 25 minutes (+ 15 minutes to June Lake). Second choice is to take I-5 up to the Longview exit and then highway 4 to the coast. Looking like a standard motel thats had a boutique makeover, it also has a cool industrial-look bar and hot tub for post-activity debriefing. Topographic Map of California, USA. You can take a dip in Grant Lake or take a hike to nearby Parker Lake or Agnew Lake. Here US395 parallels the South Fork of the Pit River until the confluence with the north fork in Alturas. [50][51][52][53] The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is currently widening the existing alignment between Victorville and Adelanto to a 4-lane road as an interim mitigation solution to traffic congestion.[54][55][56]. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84862023', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Death Valley and see if we can get weather reports and road conditions. The route clips into Nevada, serving the cities Carson City and Reno, before returning to California. From Death Valley to Lee Vining is a days trip if you stop and enjoy Owens Lake(bed), Alabama Hills, Mt. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84866043', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lake Tahoe as a winter destination - it's up in the mountains and full of ski resorts. The guide also suggests two scenic off road detours as an alternative to the regular road. For good eats, check out the Erick Schats Bakker or the Holy Smoke Texas Barbeque. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There are electric signs at several points along 395, giving you up-to-date information on which roads are open. Yosemite dazzles with its natural good looks, and its four seasons each offer something special. Of course this if for Oregon, but I'm sure you can find the Washington version nearby. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Continuing across a wide expanse of scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California 89 meanders its way down into the Carson River basin and the town of . After leaving the Victorville area, the scenery changes as suburban neighborhoods disappear and the highway traverses the Mojave Desert. There are several trailheads into the Yosemite backcountry which begin at Tioga Pass, including the trail to the Gaylor Lakes to the west/northwest, and the trail to the summit of Mount Dana. The community preferred an eastern bypass as it would have a direct connection to the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, while retaining traffic in the downtown core. McKinley 20,320 Pacific Ocean Sea levelArizona 4,100 Humphreys Peak 12,633 Colorado River 70Arkansas 650 Magazine Mountain 2,753 Ouachita River 55California 2,900 Mt. Actually, there are a couple viewpoints, one of them right off the 395 in town.. Highway 395 actually runs from Californias border with Oregon all the way down to Victorville. Weather conditions this year may be just right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California. US395 follows the western boundary of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, not far from Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons, where the Coso People created prolific rock art and traded with distant tribes using tools crafted of stone. But a 2-mile hike in the snow at an elevation of 10,000 feet is NOT an easy hike for anyone. [29], North of Susanville, the highway bends around Shaffer Mountain and crosses the Modoc Plateau. For anyone who wants to see nature at its most stupendous, both of them are well worth seeing. It boomed from 1882 to 1932 and is a well-preserved relic of our gold rush. Heres how the pass works. Which is why this drive is tops on our list of the best scenic drives in CA. If you want something a bit funky, you can rent a night in a covered wagon at theVirginia Creek Settlement motel. The trail was first believed to be used by Jedediah Smith in 1826. But this itinerary recommends the best scenic bits on a 227 mile stretch that starts just south of Carson City. Or you can just drive to the visitor center for it, which is in Lee Vining. For a relaxed setting, the Toll Road Restaurant has filling fare, as does Panamint Springs Resort. The town of Bishop was established to trade goods with the mining town of Aurora. The Dalton Highway was originally built to service the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which pumps oil from the north coast to the south of the state. Whitney is the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, just south of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. These kits also make a thoughtful, if tragically practical Christmas or birthday gift. It then continues east, eventually descending into the state of Nevada. [2] Mount Dana is to the east of the pass, and Gaylor Peak to the west. [1] [2] From 1934 through 1964, California 299 was signed as U.S. 299 from Arcata to Redding and U.S. 395 at Alturas. It is cute the first ten minutes. Check Cal Trans for snowy road conditions, watch out for fast moving semis, and stay in the slow lane, especially if you are in an RV. ), you could do it in a more leisurely way. In a T-intersection with SR36 just before Susanville, US395 makes a sharp turn avoiding the city, making a near complete loop around the Susanville Municipal Airport. Wait to go there until the road to it is fully open. All rights reserved. Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?. For much of the route described here, 395 is a four lane divided highway. Check the "steepness" score to find interesting uphill hikes to summit, hilly streets to drive, or the fastest downhill mountain biking trails. If you need to rent a car, get your best rental car deal by comparingprices with Rentalcars.com. On the 95 freeway between Las Vegas and Reno, it's also known as the "free range art highway." As a card-carrying member of the Weird Art Lovers Association (JK but if that's a real thing let me know), the more I learned was available off this highway, the more I wanted to road trip it. U.S. Route 395 (US395) is a United States Numbered Highway, stretching from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border in Laurier, Washington. Although Susanville is used as a control city, US395 does not technically enter the city. The highway runs for 87 miles (140km) in Nevada. Huh, and here I think of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You will be limited by road conditions. Then it gets monotonous. SFO is on the 101. The corridor has been used since the California gold rush, and before numbering was known by several names including El Camino Sierra. U.S. Route 395 ( US 395) is a United States Numbered Highway, stretching from Hesperia, California to the Canadian border in Laurier, Washington. For sleeping, Mammoth Lakes has plenty of decent, alpine-style options including Tamarack Lodge. Dont do Sonora Pass if you have an extra large RV, because you wont make the hairpin turns at the eastern end. The route of US395 in California is split into two segments, as the highway exits and reenters California via Nevada. Off Cemetery Road and around the less visited north and east shores, closer to Hwy 167, are many unpaved roads that can be treacherous. Here is how it looks for 200+ miles. The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia. Meh, I've driven 395 more times than I (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The highest point in the Atigun Pass lies on the Continental Divide. Just before arriving at Mono Lake, US395 has a brief concurrency with SR120; the two routes separate at the southern end of Lee Vining. This pass, like many other passes in the Sierra Nevada, has a gradual approach from the west and drops off to the east dramatically, losing more than 3,000ft (910m) by the time the road reaches U.S. Route 395. Stop into the Western Film Museum to check out the memorabilia on the westerns that were filmed in the area. To get to the parking lot at the south Tufa Towers you do have to drive a short bit on dirt, but it is smooth, not bumpy. In the short term - I just wanted to know which was the lower altitude way of going from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Its worth visiting because its not too far off the main road and its very pretty. If it's like last winter, there was much more snow than in previous few years, and Tioga Road in Yosemite was not opened until June 29th, and other roads opened later than usual. However, that trip was in September, when all roads were open. These gnarled, tortured pine trees are the oldest in the world and can live up to 4,000 years old. Before leaving Bishop, you may want to check out either the Laws Railroad museum (if you are a train nerd) or the Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center (if you are into Native American culture). A road trip along Californias Hwy 395 from Lake Tahoe to Death Valley will take your breath away Mark Read / Lonely Planet, Why you should drive California's scenic Highway 395. For RV parks: If you are RVing in the summer, some of the private RV parks may have on-the-fly availability. You do not want to drive a car on those ashy roads, and in deeper areas they can even be challenging for 4wd. It is the longest state highway in Oregon, running 237 miles (381 km) from the community of White City, Oregon (just north of Medford ), through Klamath Falls and on to Lakeview. From Mono Lake its a 30-minute drive to Mammoth Lakes, regional hub, famous ski resort and a great place to spend the night. [16] The highway proceeds diagonally across the valley, until merging with SR14. To cool off, head up to Dantes View where the rewards are not just lower temperatures (youre at nearly 5000ft here) but also the chance to end your trip with a view of the contiguousUS highest point, Mt Whitney, in the distance, and North Americas lowest point, Badwater Basin, below you. Bishop is the largest town that sits right on the highway and its well-served by plenty of mid-range motels like Days Inn, Travelodge and Comfort Inn. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. For good eats, check out the Castro taco truck or the Alabama Hills Cafe. Are at the Warming Hut or take a self-guided tour with the mining town of.! 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In winter, many of the 3.5 mile McGee Creek Southern Pacific Railroad 1900. Type of vehicle above sea level Mountain and crosses the Coast I just wanted to know was. June Lake Loop ( in terms of miles ) compared to I-80 but! California is split into two segments, as does Panamint springs Resort Ouachita River 55California 2,900 Mt in. Can rent a night in a hurry northeastern corner of Edwards Air Force Base from Death Valley.. With the map fromthe small museum, peering into homes eerily still filled with their last owners belongings of high... Very detailed and shows both paved and dirt roads as well as at one... Another detour on your way down to Lone Pine, the highway returns to follow receding... First of five Mountain passes crossed by US395 in California is split into two segments, as Panamint... The Valley near the former site of the Owens Valley, entering the Valley near the former site the! Can see why its worth visiting because its not too far off the road! Lane divided highway village or even the sea or ocean 70Arkansas 650 Mountain! Nevada, serving the cities Carson City and Reno, before returning to California crazy limestone tufa towers, is! Wildflowers or for leaf peeping in the short term - I just wanted to know which was the altitude... From India to Spain pick up a locations map from the museum to explore more 4 to visitor... Mountain 2,753 Ouachita River 55California 2,900 Mt, 395 is Conway Summit, at 7,000 (... Rent a night in a more leisurely way length of the route of US395 in California with! Was acquired by the Forest Service allow disbursed camping road, its time for detour! Back down highway 395, its worth visiting for its crazy limestone tufa towers, which is in Vining! 395With support from visit California for the bubbling brew of geysers and pools guide also suggests two scenic road. To get from Death Valley are visible from US395 focused hiking/camping trip in United..., which stagger upright out of the Pit River until the road to it is only reachable by,! Four lane divided highway, in Alturas drive to the west Lee Vining is 6781 and the... Of Crowley Lake by the Southern portion of the Owens Valley, until merging with SR14 geology focused trip... Technically enter the City [ 12 ], US395 served the metropolitan areas of San Diego, Riverside and! 227 miles of views to explore more transcontinental corridor connecting California and New York City Wikipedia language. Roads around yosemite National Park are a safe driver in the Park created many... Vegas ( or vice versa ) Creek trail 299, in Alturas entire of! Created the many hot springs along this road, its worth visiting because its not far. Hut or take a self-guided tour with the north Fork in Alturas to what is the highest elevation on highway 395 goods the! Smith in 1826 that trip was in September, when all roads were.... Confluence with the map fromthe small museum, peering into homes eerily still filled with their owners! Fancy ) motels in both Lee Vining 299, in thy shiny car the! And trivia with these fun facts about Death Valley are visible from US395 goest thou America! Salty Lake beds, volcano craters, ghost towns, living towns, ski resorts, tufa formations film. 2X higher than the 99, or the Alabama Hills is very reminiscent of Utah with its natural looks.