Re: Height Restrictions getting into Yosemite?

We recently purchased a Fifth Wheel, and were very excited to try it out in Yosemite. However, our total height is around 13 feet. We do not see any restrictions with tunnels getting into Yosemite on Highway 140, but the height restriction is 12' 10". Does anyone know why? Has anyone with a taller RV tried to go to Yosemite? If so, what route did you take (we live in the Bay Area).
HELP!
Silver Fox

The way in from 140 is called the Arch Rock Entrance for a reason.

Silver,
Here is the official position:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/restrictions.htm

It's the curvature of the tunnel sides that make for the low clearance. If you can drive down the middle you would be OK but the Wawona Tunnel is very long and you would not be able to make it through without meeting oncoming cars. Maybe very late at night though.

The Arch Rock entrance has a rock arching over the road. Go figure!

Here is a two mile long link to a picture of the rock:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Darch%2Brock%2Bentrance%2Byosemite%2Bphoto&w=537&h=716&imgurl=www.indospectrum.com%2Fdigimages%2Fyosemite2%2Fcd014_yosemite_arch_rock_entrance.jpg&size=162.5kB&name=cd014_yosemite_arch_rock_entrance.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indospectrum.com%2Ftravels%2Fyosemite2%2Ffiles%2Fcd014_yosemite_arch_rock_entrance.html&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indospectrum.com%2Ftravels%2Fyosemite2%2Ffiles%2Fcd014_yosemite_arch_rock_entrance.html&p=arch+rock+entrance+yosemite&type=jpeg&no=1&tt=20&oid=a559f6a3769f6854&tit=cd014_yosemite_arch_rock_entrance.jpg&sigr=12qp23lb0&sigi=12eh931nu&sigb=12bgdn1af

If you come in on 120 there are two short tunnels at Tamarack Creek. You might be able to get through the middle of these if traffic is light. This is the route I would recommend.

Measure the height of your fifth wheel and the outside edges and not the highest protrusion in the middle of the roof like the AC unit. It's the outside edge height I would worry about as the center will be well away from the ceiling of the tunnel.



Post Edited (07-13-08 12:34)

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Old Dude

I'm trying to imagine why me at 5'7" would need an RV taller than 12'10"

Mountain View, we have a problem. (Sorry, Jan, I noted your email address and couldn’t resist.)

Mike’s comment about the outside right edge height (or coming down from 120 in the middle of the night) will probably solve your dilemma.

If not (and assuming that you don’t want to run out and buy tires with a smaller sidewall-to-width aspect ratio), the ultimate backup plan is always the carry-along-a-twelve-volt-compressor-and-let-some-air-out-of-the-tires technique. After all, we are only talking about 2” here.

Personally, I think that if you manage to make it over Altamont Pass in one piece it is pretty much all downhill from there.

[Aside to Vince: it is probably a converted Wooly Mammoth carrier; NASA built many of these in an attempt to combat global warming by reintroducing the species throughout the country.]



Post Edited (07-13-08 16:13)

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THE YOSEMITE POST
Voice of the Rocky Marmot Empire

At 5'7" I'm wondering why you'd need anything more than a BB gun.

Ba....urrrnnned!!!!!!!!!!!!!