Re: Transportation question with fire

We have planned all year for a week and a half backpacking trip starting from Happy Isles. We are flying into Oakland on 8-1-08 and then Amtraking it to Merced where we jump the bus to Yosemite / Yosemite lodge drop-off. With the Telegraph fire I am very concerned about getting into the park with these travel arrangements.

All tickets have been purchased and are basically non refundable at this point. Can anyone provide any insight or suggest alternatives? Perhaps just some reassurance that the bus in would take an alternate route if necessary?

Any insight or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

TM

I would think the bus company would simply switch their route to either Hwy 41 or Hwy 120, however, I suggest you contact them to be sure.

Louis wrote:

> I would think the bus company would simply switch their route
> to either Hwy 41 or Hwy 120, however, I suggest you contact
> them to be sure.

They had to deal with 140 being inaccessible to buses after the landslide. I'm sure they know what to do, but of course contact them to make sure.

Highway 140 is now open.

Associated Press - July 30, 2008 1:14 PM ET

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) - The main western highway into Yosemite National Park is reopening after firefighters pushed back flames that have charred about 50 square miles just outside the park.

Authorities had temporarily shut down a 10-mile stretch of Highway 140 to keep flames from leaping across the Merced River canyon earlier this week. The road reopened this morning, but officials are still recommending tourists take alternate routes into Yosemite to give fire engines enough room to maneuver.

The blaze raging since Friday has destroyed 21 homes and is only 20% contained.

Fire officials previously said 25 homes burnt down, but revised their assessment today after discovering 4 of the structures were outbuildings.

Caltrans currently shows 140 as one-way traffic with CHP escorts.

I'm with Rick. 395 may be a little slower than 99 but the scenery will more than make up for the extra hour or so on the road. You will also get to go through the park from the east. I'd say that just planning to leave one to two hours earlier than originally planned will get you to the valley floor at the same time even after having stopped at some of the view spots. This does not include the extra day you would need to visit Mono Lake.

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Old Dude

Thanks everyone we are looking good for the morning.

TM