Hi folks,

We will be going to Yosemite National Park this weekend but thinking of whether we'll require chains or not. Rental car companies do not like chains put on their cars, so if it snows then we cannot rent a minivan. Since there are 6 of us (including 1 kid), our Forester will not be big enough which sucks because we already have chains/cables for that car in case we need them.

Our alternate scenario would be me and my wife will drive the Forester while the rest drive a small SUV, cheap enough rental that has 4WD. Best case would be to rent a minivan and all of us fit inside but the chain requirement worries me.

What are the driving conditions like going up the park at this time of the year? So for folks who live in the general area, I was wondering what do you think the chance of snow would be like, how severe would it be?

I'd appeciate your recommendations.

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I personally don't think you'll have much of a problem, but ask me again after our midweek "storm session". You can always try here:

Caltrans

Highway 41 should be the one you're looking for, and they have a number specifically for Yosemite info:

[YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK]
FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200

MV

How would the car rental co know if chains are used or not, assuming they're properly mounted and aren't flopping around and causing damage? Better to ask for forgiveness than permission...

I'd be real surprised if there were snow problems now but it's been an odd year. They're talking possible precip on Wed and Thur in the Bay Area and it's not out of the question if that will mean snow in Yosemite.
Good point. Especially if you drive slowly and remove them as soon as you hit semi bare pavement.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I have chains, but only put them on after I get pulled over.

I've never really needed them. I either drive slowly or not at all. If it's just too bad to drive, then it's simply that.

The only time I've had any issues were when the snow was piled up to three feet in front of the car and the pavement the car was parked on was covered in sheer ice.

I'd second the idea of renting and taking the chains with you just in case. Just buy the 'extra' insurance.

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It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

Rent a Suburban, not a minivan. By the way. Lucky you. I've been trying to get back there since the one and only time I visited in May 93.

- Peter.

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Formerly...
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1971 108 280S

Thanks guys. I'll double check the weather, see if there are any last minute changes.

Thanks too for the CalTrans contact info, I saved their number on my phone.

I didn't want to risk using the chains as much as possible, and if there was an incident, would put us in a liable situation. I have cheap chains for MB wheel size (w124/w123) and more expensive cables for the Forester (due to clearance issues).

We considered a large SUV, but the fuel penalty (quantity and fuel economy) are both against us. However, the traction should allow us to make it through. Decisions, decisions...maybe a mid-size SUV works. I'll look into that too.

Do typical minivans have the same tire size as the Forester? IIRC, the Forester has 225/55/17 stock Geolandar tires. Seems like it's gonna rain tomorrow and Wednesday, hopefully it clears out by Thursday to Friday. That way we also get to take better pics.

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I'm not as young as you and do live furthr away than you but have driven 3 times to LA and Orange county in the last 3 weeks, it was over 1,000 miles, twice in the SEC and a couple of days ago in the Red Plum.

I'd urge you to consider highway 99 up and back because of the many interesting little places along the way you could stop, and the abundance of clean restaurants and clean rest roms along the way. I am saying for the comfort not the speed.

Should you decide to split the difference and go there in 2 days rather than one, (highly recommended!) I heartily recommend Kingsburg, 20 miles south of Fresno (just before Seloma and the fir5st stop across the fresno County line on 99.

It is "Little Sweden" an undiscovered little gem of a town, friendly, very safe and pretty small (7,000 people or so.)a True small town Americana at its very finest. NOTHING like the overpricved town of Solvang (Little Denmark) which is a tourist trap, and very "Precious" -- ( ie, it knows what it is.)


At least stop at the DalaHorse restaurant on 1531Draper Street (downtown) for wonderful authentic food, check the nearby Swedish souvenir and crafts stores, and go with the gang to Julie Chambers' "Babycakes" family ice cream store --- best ice cream in California I ever tasted, and the prices are awesomely cheap!

If you guys would like to spend the night, try the new Marriott Fairfield hotel, in Kingsburg, if you have GPS it is 216 Ventura Court in Kingsburg, it is brand new and has a wonderful staff, spacilous clean rooms, the best free breakfast spread I ever saw, and with a AAA discount all that is only about $75-$99 a night.


My favorite place to stay in all of the possible choices from Nor Cal to So Cal.

It's an ambitious drive and well worth splitting in half you will drive refreshed, especially important in hot weather like we are having.

This information, while only my personal opinion, is under 48 hours old.

Now, back on topic!

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1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thank you Jim for great advise. This information is definitely welcome!

We plan to head straight to the park for some photography and nature-tripping, maybe the scenic route can be traversed on the way back instead? My wife told me she can drive the way up but when the twisty roads arrive, we can swap places on the driver's seat. But if we'll take a rental car that fits all 6 of us, then my mom or dad can take over if Mrs. MBeige gets tired.

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(re read the above to fix typo's & street address added) Have fun!!!

Perhaps a rental ew Honda Odyssey is best for the whole crew? Supposed to be roomy, comfortable and easy to drive?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I can't believe I'm "wanting" to drive a minivan

But yes, that's what I heard too. An "ew Honda Odyssey"

That, or the Sienna should work.

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Well, I'm not exactly sure where in SoCal you're coming from, but I can't imagine how you'd get to Yosemite without spending time on the 99. So that part should be easy. Not sure when you last crossed the Grapevine was, but be advised of the current construction projects, rest areas out of commission, cominded with the southbound Frazier Park rd exit being closed (was two weekends ago) makes stopping on that leg a bit of a hassle. Northbound on the 5, headed downhill on the Grapevine is rough. Watch where you put your wheels less you end up cutting a tire/bending a wheel.

For heaven's sake, whatever you're driving, watch the temps when climbing the hills. I can't tell you how many out of town residents we get in the shop who came to see the parks and then promptly overheated their cars on the drive. Should you happen to do so anyway, STOP driving! Again, so many keep going because they just wanted to get to the campground/store/flat ground or what have you. Only to then find out that their vacation just got longer, duller, and significantly more expensive, as they get to hang out in our town while I repair their car.

By the way, the phone number was specifically for Yosemite park info, the general Caltrans number is 1-800-427-ROAD/1-800-427-7623.

Have fun, and look into the Sugarpine Railroad on your way through.

MV

MV, we'll be coming from Orange County. I've driven up the Grapevine a handful of times, all with the MB's. Never overheated up the pass, but if we'll take a different car I'll definitely keep an eye on the temps.

My father tells me they already used my 300D, back in the day, to drive up Yosemite. I was too young to remember!

Good to know about the constructions and lack of rest stops! Thank you.

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Stop at Bravo Farms, just before Fresno. Interesting little tourist trap with all kinds of automotive memorabilia and a giant 5 story treehouse.

Oh, yeah, Bravo Farms. Man you haven't lived until you've been to Traver!

Actually, they do have a nifty little market, great place to pick up some snacks for later, especially their cheese.

MB, I wasn't really meaning watch for overheating on the Grapevine, though by all means, you should always keep an eye out for it. I meant more on the smaller, slower, steeper roads once you get to the real mountains near Yosemite. The Grapevine is almost always moving along, allowing for easy cooling. It's the steep and winding ones that will get you!.

MV