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From Yosemite to Tioga pass

Here is the stretch of Fwy 120 going across between East Sierra and Yosemite. The distance is 45 miles, yet may take 1.5 hrs from the east Gate into the Yosemite Valley. The highlights of the drive are Toulumne Meadow, Lakes along the freeway.

_________TOULUMNE Meadow_________

Tuolumne Meadows is a gentle, dome-studded sub-alpine meadowy section of the Tuolumne River, in the eastern section of Yosemite National Park. In spring as soon as the snow melts, it is not uncommon to see large areas of the meadows flooded and practically transformed into a lake.

The mountains of the Sierra near the meadows have some permanent snowfields: in the summer they are mostly free of snow. Although brief, the late spring and summer wildflower bloom in Tuolumne Meadows is host to a wide variety of California wildflowers, including the relatively rare Purple Webber, a type of lupin
Excellent hiking and rock climbing are accessible from Tuolumne Meadows,which tends to be less crowded than Yosemite Valley. The John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail run through Tuolumne Meadows. The roads to the meadows are generally free of snow from June through October. Due to the extreme elevation, road access is closed through winter season in the Meadows.
Many back country hiking and backpacking trails start in Tuolumne Meadows including the primary route to summit Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park.


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