Trails near Yosemite?

I’ve got an impromptu Yosemite trip coming up, wondering if there’s any trails off the 120 that would be fun for a short trip, or even entry into the park.

I know inside there’s probably nothing due to it being a national park, but the national forests should have something outside.

Appreciate the help, I’m rolling stock so it can’t be too crazy!

 

only two pay ways into the park, but you could play around off 120 before getting back onto 120. hetch hetchy, lake eleanor and cherry lake are to the north but surrounded by wilderness areas making access busy roads.

 

Buck meadows is my usual stomping ground with forest roads and jus decent places to check out, on the south side of 120, bower cave area, cool little set of waterfalls down the stream from the bridge right there also, gotta park and hike

 

Looks like there’s a main road to it, with some forest roads scattered in between. Might make it a trip! How’s the north side of 120 in that area?

 

Kinda torched from a fire 5 years ago, i havent really gone north from there but if u go up 120 a little further then north and accross from rainbow pools (fishing n swimming) u can go check out cherry lake or go up 120 n check out hetch hechy area, some dope lodges up in the moutains up there and views

 

Check out forest route 1N10 off of Foretti Rd (near sheep ranch).

It'll take you down to the Tuolumne River where they launch the rafting trips. Keep going to find a bridge across the river then head up the other side. Hang a right on 1N04 and stay on it until you hit cherry lake road. Head down the hill back towards Early Intake and cross back over the river and head up the hill again. Once you get to the top take a left on Mather road and follow it until you get to Camp Mather. Go right on Evergreen road and you'll pop back out on 120 just west of the YNP entrance. Or if you stay on Mather rd it'll take you down to Hetch Hetchy.

 

Well........................there are other options.................

 

That are clearly prohibited by that sign; if you are insinuating that the truck pictured is about to drive down a closed trail... I surely hope not. Because, advertising that you are flaunting federal rules for the sake of “entertainment” is a great way to get more access closed to us.

I see no good in this post.

 

If this was the situation I absolutely support what you are saying. However this is an open road and as the sign indicates, the reference is to "Off road vehicles". Now this may be a bit antiquated verbiage but clearly is indicating the class of quad or perhaps even the older tri-style motorized bikes and I would assume the very sophisticated 4x4 ranch/hunter vehicles on the market today, meaning vehicles unlicensed for street use.

If this was to apply to any 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled vehicle driving on a dirt road then the sign would be more restrictive and say, "No Motorized Vehicles".

I have seen over the last 55 years that I have been personally driving the back roads of this fine country, the devastation portions of the "off road/4x4" community have wreaked on the natural environment. I absolutely do not support what has happened to much of the pristine lands of my youth. You notice I gave no directions and stripped the meta data. And yes I actually questioned posting this however this is clearly a NP sign on a designated access.

 

Worst time of the year to visit the NF imo. High temps, wildfires, smoke and hellish dust. If you follow someone your rig just sucks that dust even if you hang back.

Fall after the first couple rains is much better though some roads are closed. Speaking of which many NF roads are still closed due to the back to back wildfires and torrential rainfall a few yrs back.

 

There are (2) NF roads off hwy 120 that enter the park that I'm aware of. Both are fairly easy access and a stock Tacoma won't have any issues.

 

It’s an old forest service road that’s still maintained. If it’s the one I’ve driven, it used to go all the way into the Merced grove but it’s gated now. Or white wolf on the other side but that’s also gated.

They’re trying to keep green stickered vehicles out is all. Too tempting for some (dim witted) to go off the designated road.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

I stand corrected and better informed.

 

It’ll be in October, so we’ll see if we get any rain, but the temps should be much more bearable.

 

Feel free to DM me the road numbers/names so I can plan for them if needed! Thanks!

 

so you can get to half dome from that sign? in vehicle?

 

OP, you may have to postpone your trip:
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/...forests-closed-wildfires-brush-fires/2424786/

 

No. You can not drive to Half Dome.

 

Im watching. Luckily, kinda?, I only live about 3 hours away, so it’s not like I had cross country travel planned. The whole situation here on the west coast is a bummer at the moment.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU