Highway 395 Trip Recommendations

Never been on the eastern side of the sierras before so I’ll be traveling highway 395 from SF mid to late October hoping to catch some Fall colors. Would you recommend traveling north to south or vice versa? Thinking traveling down 5, crossing over east at Bakersfield and going north on 395 and crossing back on the western side through Yosemite on Tioga. Is there anything worth checking out that far south on 395? Thanks in advance.

 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Mammoth Lakes, and Yosemite would all be incredible stops.

 

For fall colors, the best areas are 1 hour north or south of Mono Lake (Tioga Pass) along 395.. Really the 395 stretch between Bishop in the south and say Twin Lakes in the Bridgeport area. I'd almost cut over Tioga pass from SF and go north AND south from there. Reseach places (south to north) like North/Sabrina/South Lakes, Rock Creek Canyon, June Lake Loop, Lundy Canyon, Virginia Lakes, Green Creek, and Twin Lakes

 

Drove on 395 with a semi years ago, south to north...and I mean north to Oregon. Lots of places looked interesting, like to stop interesting, but semis need sometimes too much space to park. Anyway, you'll have a great trip. Try going south to north, if you don't like it, go north to south the next time.

 

I vote South to North as the mountains to your West keep getting more and more dramatic and higher. Since you did not mention day hiking, that topic will be saved. Definately drive West from Bishop as there is a lot to see from your truck as you enter the area. A drive West from Toms Place will show some great lakes and Fall Aspen tree lined roads.
Mammoth Lakes is a destination itself. See pics.

 

In addition to all of the above suggestions which I concur with:

Mono Lake!

Bodie Ghost Town is just a few miles off 395, too...

Bakersfield sucks anus so not sure going that far down is rewarding. I'd cross over east on 120 through Yosemite and then go 395 north from there and come back across north of Reno / Susanville through Lassen via 36 / 44 and back to the 5 in Redding. Depends on where you live though, I guess.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. From the sound of things thinking the most efficient way is to travel east through Yosemite and Tioga Pass (skip 5 and Bakersfield) then do both north and south from there. South as far as Lone Pine to check out the views of Mt. Whitney from the Alabama Hills and as far North as Bridgeport? Then ending back west across Tioga again for a different view of Yosemite. Will keep that west travel from Tom’s Place in mind for those colors. No hiking involved on this trip so anything that can be seen from my truck is preferred. Traveling solo with my old dog and her hiking days are over.

 

How much time do you have for this trip?

 

Thinking 3-4 days? Leave on a Friday come back Monday.

 

I suggest saving Lone Pine for another outing. Bishop and the Hwy 168 past Aspendell to South & North lakes can take a leisure half day only getting out of your runner to place some folding chairs to view from. At the Tioga pass area are Tuloumne meadows and its granite domes plus a few miles West is the Tenaya lake basin.- easily another half day. Lee Vining and Mono Lake plus the picnic sites along Hwy 120 between Tioga and Lee Vining can easily fill a half day.
I would drive less and spend more time soaking up the magnificient sights suggested by the thoughtful posts here.

 

We go every October, mostly to get one last fishing trip in before the snow, but.. the fall colors are a bonus.. I've found the Mono County website very useful as each year they update it weekly on where the aspens are peaking... and have good links to the areas of interest

monocounty.org/things-to-do/fall-colors

This is Lundy Canyon in October for example

 

October weather is "iffy" in Eastern California, especially Mammoth and points north. This may impact your choice of entrance/egress routes.

THINGS to SEE (from south to north)

• Take I-5 s/b and cross over on Hwy 178 to Hwy 395 north. Gas up in Isabella or Kernville. This is high desert country. Fossil Falls north of Pearsonville has interesting geology and some native American cultural sites (if you know where to look).
• Cerro Gordo ghost town, near Keeler and Lone Pine, is worth a visit. The dirt access road climbs 8 miles from Hwy 136 and gains 5000' in elevation. The Interagency Visitor Center at the intersection of Hwy 136 and 395 in Lone Pine. is well stocked with books and trinkets, and sometimes good advice (depending on who's at the desk).
• Lone Pine has plenty of gas stations and motels. The Film Museum documents the area's extensive filming history, and the nearby Alabama Hills has a myriad of dirt roads that wind thru the exfoliated granite boulders and arches.
• North of Lone Pine is Manzar, the WWII relocation camp. Interesting museum and visitor center. Dirt Mazourka Canyon Rd. will take you near a number of old mines and up to Mazouorka Peak with a commanding view of the valley below.
• Independence, the county seat of Inyo Co. It has a picturesque courthouse and the Eastern California Museum is worth a visit.
• Big Pine has the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (radio telescopes).
• Bishop is north of Big Pine. Lots of motels, restaurants, gas stations and a Von's market. Schat's Bakkery has good products (famous for sheepherder bread), but it tends to be overrun with tourists. Mahogany Smoked Meats offers a wide selection of jerky and other carnivorous smoked delights. Laws, an outdoor railroad museum, is located off Highway 6. Also nearby is Five Bridges Rd. which will take you to dirt Fish Slough Rd. and points north. Lots of petroglyph sites (some marked, lots of others unmarked). "Petroglyph Loop" maps are available online. We take this route north to Red Canyon (also dirt) to Benton Crossing Rd. (paved) and on to Hot Creek Geologic Site near Mammoth Lakes. This is a scenic, fun route with some 4-Wheeling involved.
• Mammoth Lakes is higher in elevation, so seasons and weather conditions change fast. Lots of motels, condos, restaurants and stores. Depending on weather, a Laurel Lakes in a good 4x4 drive with potentially lots of fall color. We prefer to rent a condo for several nights (rather then motel) and use Mammoth as a base for day trips into the backcountry.
• North of Mammoth is Mono Lake. Grossly expensive gas in Lee Vining. The Log Cabin Mine off the west side of Hwy 120 is an interesting excursion. The east side of Hwy 120 will take you to more of Mono Lake via dirt roads as well as Mono Mills, Mono Craters and a myriad of old logging roads.
• You can return to civilization by taking Hwy 120 thru Yosemite or continue north on Hwy 395.
• Bodie Stat Historic Park near Bridgeport is one of the best preserved and scenic ghost towns in California. It's located northeast of Bridgeport (also really expensive gas) off Hwy 270. The last three miles into Bodie are graded dirt.

BOOKS and MAPS

• If you are a AAA member, get the Eastern California area map which covers the area fairly well.
• You can pick up lots of localized maps at the visitor centers and/or use online geolocated map resources.
• Roger Mitchell wrote several trail guides, that while dated, still contain valuable route and area information.
• Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley by Sharp and Glazner is my favorite geoscience guidebook to the area. It's well written at a level non-geologists can understand.

CAVEATS

• Eastern California is beautiful country, but it's also very remote with sparse, inconsistent cell coverage and infrastructure. Gas stations are few and far between and tend to be expensive (even by California standards).
• Weather is a major factor and tends to change rapidly.
• Make certain your vehicle is in top mechanical condition (including tires, transmission and cooling systems) before leaving home. Travel with adequate supplies (including food, water, bedding, cold weather gear and tools). Use common sense when exploring the backcountry.
• Leave a basic travel itinerary with someone at home, and update it as you wanderings change.
• The area tends to be very dry, even in forested areas. Be careful with fire.

Enjoy!

 

Haven't really ventured off the 395 (except for Mammoth Lakes), but i have driven the route plenty of times from San Diego to South Lake Tahoe. Such a beautiful route, once you get past Socal all the way through Ridgecrest. Anywhere you go will have sightseeing as far north as you are planning to be, cant go wrong.

Lee Vining has a great little coffee shop on the west side of the 395 we always stop at.

 

This is all great folks. I'm taking all these things under consideration.

By "iffy" October weather do you mean not within the window of those Fall colors? Haven't requested my PTO yet so the trip can shift around.

Gathering info as far as south as Lone Pine but I'll really be playing it by ear as I often do. If I find a spot I really like I'll just stay and take my time. No itinerary. As someone mentioned less time driving and all that. Right now bookending the trip up north with the Bodie ghost town east of Bridgeport.

Will add Lundy Canyon to the list for the Fall colors.

Definitely including the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest too though not entirely sure how much can be appreciated from my truck. What I've seen so far involves hikes.

Since I'm traveling solo I'll stay within reach of civilization. Nothing too remote. Expecting 395 to be similar to 50 through Nevada which I've done. My rig is well maintained and I usually do a thorough pre-trip inspection. I'll have my trusty Garmin InReach Messenger also.

 

Exactly what I'm looking for. Added to my stops.

 

@photo8 has it dialed in.. if you were after from-the-car spots.. I would prioritize:
A) the road up rock creek from Tom's place.. it's long enough and covers enough elevation gain that somewhere on that road the colors will be good.. the upper at little lakes trailhead peaks early with the lower areas lasting into mid-late october.
B) June Lake loop.. always a great drive

Clearly there are a lot of great opinions on this as there's really way more to see than a few days can fit it.. so I'd take all of October off

 

Found a Fall Color Report on the Mono County Tourism site. I'll be using it to schedule my trip. You can receive alerts on the status of the fall colors by signing up for their newsletter.

https://www.monocounty.org/things-to-do/fall-colors/

Will be taking Sonora Pass east and just limiting the 5 day trip to the northern part of 395 finishing with Tioga Pass on the return.

 

"Iffy", in the context of my post, means unpredictable--especially in the high country like Mammoth Lakes. Weather conditions also tend to change rapidly at the higher altitudes. Usually area weather in October tends to be on the cool side during the day and at or near freezing at night. You can search for average temperatures by month for more precise information.

If you have a compatible radio, listen to NOAA weather radio on 162.525 MHz and 162.475 MHz. If you're an amateur radio operator, there's a inked open repeater network operated by the Bishop Amateur Radio Club that offers good area coverage.

Fun route! There are quite a few points of historic interest along the way.

 

As far as the Bristlecone Pines, the Schulman Grove visitor center is up 168, about 26 miles east of 395. There is a nice interpretive walk there. Easy drive in any car. It takes about 2 hours to go through there. Definitely worth a look!

 

For fall colors, any of the canyons heading west should hold nice spots of Aspen turning. From Bridgeport south to Whitney Portal. Our favorites are Bishop Creek, June Lake Loop, Onion Valley, Big Pine Creek and of course Bridgeport Valley. You can head up toward Twin Lakes and catch some great color. Peak times vary with each season.

 

Sorry OP I’ve been away on a family emergency but I see you’ve gotten some great recommendations!

I would only add in ann optional ‘loop’ that covers more of the the central Sierra/395 stretch between Sonora Junction down to Bishop.

one of my favorite ‘fall’ routes when I lived in SF was to drive up the 88 from Jackson, arriving at fall colors around Silver Lake to the far side of Caples where you reach the Carson Pass. Sadly though, the massive Caldor fire of 2021 wiped out a good portion of the ‘quaking aspen’ groves on the northern side of 88. Last time I drove through (2023) to go visit friends in south shore I saw some sections on the south side that remained. Once you go over Carson summit you drop down into the Hope Valley region where you’ll be rewarded with a colorful display along both sides of 88. Right after the 88/89 junction, on the right as you’re heading east is what used to be called Sorenson’s Resort. It’s a really nice place to spend the night as there are numerous quaint cabins of varying sizes. The former owners, John and Patty Brissenden (whom I was re-acquainted with after a couple decades) even saved, move and restored Santa’s cabin from Santa’s Village in Scott’s Valley. New owners have turned the resort into more of a Glamping destination as I passed by last winter on a road trip.

Passing through Hope Valley and down the canyon to Woodfords, turn right onto 89 to Markleevile, grab a beer at Cutthroat or across the street at Stonefly I enjoyed a decent steak dinner. About 10 mins south following the East fork of the Carson (great fishing by the way) you’ll get to the 4/89 junction. Make a left and head east where you’ll make a fairly fast ascent up towards Leviathan Peak, dropping down quickly to the 395 just south of Topaz lake. From there the rest has been laid out for you to decide upon/enjoy.

I mention this route as I feel Hope Valley will offer up more ‘fall colors’ than taking the 108 up over Sonora Pass. Then again there is Kennedy Meadows (known more as a camping destination, especially for those with horses!) but over the years that former pack station has evolved and now has a well stocked mini grocery store (you can even buy packaged steaks of various cuts while out camping!) but the one thing I can say is that the restaurant there still serves up a decent (check ahead) Prime Rib dinner!

 

Ok.. I’ll add more fuel to this….


June lake area





Lundy area





Green creek area








North lake








South lake area





Rock creek area, short hike up little lakes valley

 

To the OP, after spending my first 21 years in the Eastern Sierra, I will say October may be a hair late in that Tioga may be closed. Frequently closed Oct 15th (some years earlier) until May -or June- 15th.
Due to tourism in the region, Cal trans does it's best to open all the passes ASAP in late spring. Some years though it's just not feasible. As well, due to the harsh alpine environment/climate zone the colors may be well gone by late Oct.
I would consider coming Ear over Tioga and go go S and N from a base at Lee Vining or maybe June Lake Loop area.
I have to say though, be careful - you're gonna want to move.... lol.
Seriously, along the lines of be careful, take your time, Tioga pass is no joke on either side. As a kid we heard horror stories from our folks of earlier times in older vehicles....newer cars don't defeat the laws of physics. Plus, if you're just cruising along, and you spot something truly stupendous - and that's common over there- you can pull over without getting radical and causing a scene.
I would shoot for going West on every primary road from 395, Twin Lakes, Lundy Lake, Saddlebag Lake, June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Rock Creek, Pine Creek, Bishop Creek - all three branches- with side trip up to the 4 wheeling top of Buttermilk area, Big Pine Creek, Onion Valley, Whitney Portal Road... Horseshoe Meadows maybe not so much for colors.... like I say, you just may want to move....!
(1st one 1990 SR5 then 2015 SR5)

 

^ this guy has Sierras on his mind so much that his user name is literally '395' !!!!

 

We got snowed in at Kennedy Meadows over Labor Day one time. Yes, October can be interesting.

I'd travel South to North and have the light coming in from behind you. Please be careful on 395. The reputation is well deserved.

 

It looks like a lot of folks consider 88 more scenic than 108 overall. With a milder grade and easier drive too. That said, I'm more inclined to go over Carson Pass now so thanks for the recommendation!

 

Wow, jackpot! You really struck gold there, literally. I'll be super stoked if I time the trip out there like you have.

 

lol, this wasn’t all the same trip.. but all from various October visits.. usually week 2. As you had found earlier.. that mono county site is a good guide for the timing.. good luck.