The Epic Trip - Across the USA with a Tramper ™

Chapter 4 - Las Vegas to Yosemite

We left Las Vegas (hurrah) on Tuesday 30th and headed for Furnace Creek in Death Valley. We had planned to eat at Furnace Creek Inn but were told that it would not be possible as the temperature during the day was 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning had failed and the heat in the kitchen was running at 140 degrees!

By the time we arrived the temperature had dropped to 100 degrees at 9 pm and was bearable if you didn't stay outside for too long.

The following morning we got up at 6 am and took the Tramper for a hike to the old borax mine. There was a pleasant catabastic breeze at that time of day and we didn't scorch in the middle of Death Valley. There were many photo opportunities in the stark but beautiful landscape.

In the afternoon we left Death Valley and headed for Boulder Creek RV park at Lone Pine which is at the base of Mount Whitney (highest peak in the Sierra Nevada) in the Owens Valley which is very dry as it lies in the rain shadow of the Sierras. Very pretty RV park but rather too close to the highway.

Chapter 4 - Las Vegas to Yosemite

On Thursday we entered the Sequoia National Forest - what a contrast to Death Valley! The temperature had dropped dramatically (up to 8,500ft) and we needed down jackets for warmth. We dry camped (no hook ups) that night at the Azalea campground in the forest, a beautiful setting (6,500ft), but woke in the morning to snow and very cold weather!

We took the small electric wheelchair for a short walk to the General Grant tree and then moved on to parking for the General Sherman tree where we unloaded the Tramper and went for the most fantastic walk along the Congress Trail. Because of the weather there were very few people around and we had the trail virtually to ourselves and could admire all the giant trees around us. It was damp and misty and had an ethereal quality. Not sure if the photos can really do it justice.

Chapter 4 - Las Vegas to Yosemite

On Saturday we arrived at Yosemite National Park. We had been spoilt at other National Parks as many of them were reasonably quiet (due to the time of year) but Yosemite was quite different and was busy everywhere we went. Nevertheless it didn't spoil the experience of yet another WOW factor. We drove up to Glacier Point for our first magnificent overview and managed to get Peter to the lookout point by small electric wheelchair – a challenge for its small solid rubber wheels and Peter’s bum. The view looking at the many peaks and 4,000ft down to the emerald green valley floor was simply mind-blowing! We then drove down to Bridalveil Falls for another fantastic view – the snow melt of Spring meant that all the spectacular falls were in spate and at there best.

The campsite at Groveland was very pretty and blissfully quiet and we were pleased to know we would be spending a second night there. On Sunday we returned to Yosemite and headed for Mirror Lake. We had been told that although the route there was closed to most vehicles, as we had a disabled permit we would be able to drive up there. What we had failed to be told was that there was no turn around at the end and any vehicle going up there would have to navigate a 3 point turn to turn around. This might be pretty easy for a Jeep or Ford Focus but just try doing it with a 35 foot motor home towing an 8 foot trailer!

Chapter 4 - Las Vegas to Yosemite

Luckily we met a very helpful Ranger who just happened to be in charge of transport for the Park and he helped us unhook the trailer and negotiate the tight turn. Dave, the Ranger was very interested in Peter's Tramper as he was involved with disability access and so we gave him all the info that we carry around with us. We had a lovely walk around Mirror Lake and then moved on to Yosemite Falls for another walk with the Tramper. Barbara and Dennis then went off to find a phone to see if we could get a campground space in Yosemite whilst Peter and I went off for a long walk on bicycle trail around Sentinel Meadow in the low evening sunlight – WOW it was so green and beautiful. What we hadn't bargained for was 4 steps leading up to a bridge. Peter was all for attempting the steps with the Tramper but I refused to let him, so it was a retracing of steps to make the walk even longer.

We then took our final tour before leaving Yosemite, stopping at El Capitan to take photos and watch a couple of climbers in a bivouac high above us. All in all it had been a wonderful visit and I feel that a visit to the USA must include Yosemite in the Spring.

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