Yosemite: White Wolf to Yosemite Valley

[itsabreez-er]

Hello All:
I'm hoping to get some information about the road between White Wolf (near Tuolumne Meadows) down to Yosemite Valley in Yosemite NP. I'd like to take the bus (already figured out how to do this part) up to White Wolf and ride back down to the Valley while we're there in September. It looks like its about 30 miles, almost all of it downhill. We would be riding in the late afternoon and early evening (we often ride at night and are prepared). I am hoping that the traffic will be lighter at this time of day and time of year as I don't think the road has much, if anything, in the way of shoulders.

While my family is new back into cycling, we have been riding daily for three months and routinely ride up to 20 miles with loaded panniers (we're mostly car-free).

30 miles of downhill/flat shouldn't be a problem, but I'm having a hard time finding out if there are any steep or long uphill sections mixed in with all of the downhill. My daughter is 10 (5' 6'!) and while she physically can do the ride, I don't want her to get discouraged as I would like to do even more touring-type rides in the future.

Any advice or recommendations? Am I crazy?

Thanks in advance.

--Lorise

[tprevost]

Hi Lorise!

My first thought was 'how cool'! But then I remembered that those roads are often traveled by motorhomes and truck/trailers. You may want to re-think your route or perhaps ride the outskirts of the park instead.

The roads are pretty narrow and when I borrowed my dad's motorhome a while back, I actually almost went off the road because a 5th wheel who was trying to get around a turn was over the middle line and I had no place to go!

Definately pre-drive the route to make sure its safe!

Tracy

[Shimpie]

I remember that road. Couple of years ago, I camped at Crane Flats. It's definitely not a rideable road. The shoulder is very narrow and the RVs and trailers drive right over the shoulder in the S-curves. There's also a narrow tunnel that you'll have to traverse. You'd have to take the lane through the tunnel. I didn't see one cyclist on this route.

After I've given you all these hazards to consider, I'll answer your question. There are a couple slight inclines on the road down the valley floor. Nothing too steep.

Perhaps you'd like to consider limiting your cycling to the Valley Floor. It's not terribly challenging since it's flat. However, it's a gorgeous ride. I think you could get +15 miles just on the floor itself. Just watch out for all the sight seerers who are busy craning their heads towards the sky. This includes drivers too.

[yellow]

I used to go up to the Tuolumne Meadows area (just west of White Wolf)every September (to fish, not ride). The crowds are still there, though not as thick. However, you are still likely to have the motorhome issue.

It's a pretty steep descent. I'd probably do it, as long as I didn't have to ride back up. Be ready to take the lane and to have cars (and motorhomes) follow you for quite some time before they can pass.

[itsabreez-er]

Thanks one and all for the quick responses.

I think I'll pass on this one for now since we'll have the kiddo with us. I've got to keep the cycling positive for her since she thinks her parents are insane when it comes to cycling (I keep threatening to sell the car) -- I don't need to give her any concrete proof.


--L

[maillotpois]

We ride a lot in Yosemite. We go every year and do 50 - 80 milers there.

I have ridden the road from Crane Flat down to the Valley. It is actually fine for an experienced rider because you get going faster than the traffic on the downhill sections (most of it!) and it is beautiful. Also on the short tunnel parts you're going downhill. However, I would not let my 10 year old ride it. There is no shoulder at all, and frankly I am more worried about her on a long sustained downhill than anything else!

Tioga Road has opened up. We were only able to ride about 30 miles out and back last year on it because it was closed. That is a tough-ish ride as it is pretty high and pretty hilly.

I love doing the ride from either Wawona or the uphill end of the Valley tunnel up to Glacier Point and back. The climbing is steady and nothing too steep (til the end) and it is a beautiful ride. I find that the tour busses are very considerate of cyclists, even though the road is relatively narrow.

Also riding from Wawona to the valley is a good ride - rolling and you hit that long tunnel on a downhill so you can take the road and not worry about cars. Again, I wouldn't want my 10 year old doing it unless we were on the tandem.

For a kid, the valley loop, though totally flat and a bit dull, would be perfect.

[Veronica]

Just got back from Yosemite and we saw some guys doing exactly the ride you describe - up near White Wolf. The road is narrow, with no shoulder, but I'd do it. Not so sure about a ten year old - maybe if she stayed right in front of me.

V.