Mt Whitney Webcam
Mt Williamson Webcam
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 155 guests, and 16 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
#25577 07/02/12 09:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
E
Elwood Offline OP
OP Offline
E
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Hello! We're planning a 4-day hike from Mineral King to Whitney! I'm looking for the best driving directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King! Map Quest & Google Maps has me driving all the way west to Bakersfield, but looking at the map, it looks shorter taking route 155NW out of Lake Isabella, to 65N to Porterville, then 65W to Lindsay, then 245N to 198NE to Three Rivers. Has anyone taking this route, or are there any opinions? Thanks, Elwood

Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Elwood #25578 07/02/12 09:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
E
Offline
E
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
It's shorter, but it's not necessarily faster. 178 is reasonably straight and has four lanes, 99 is a freeway, 155 is twisty and has two lanes, 65 is straight but, again, only two lanes. Google makes its recommendation because it figures that you'll be averaging 39 mph on 178W and 50 mph on 65N.

Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Elwood #25579 07/02/12 10:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4
E
Offline
E
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4
Hwy 65 is heavily patrolled.

245 you will be dodging fruit pickers

Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Elwood #25582 07/02/12 11:49 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,505
Likes: 103
S
Offline
S
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,505
Likes: 103
I drive Fresno to Lone Pine, and sometimes take the route from Bakersfield through Isabella, and other times Bakersfield through Tehachapi.

Google reports the Tehachapi route to be 13 miles farther and 3 minutes longer. But for ease of driving, the Tehachapi route is much better. The Isabella route has some terribly winding sections, and all the rest is two lane. If you get behind a line of cars, you're stuck. However, the Isabella route is prettier, so if you are traveling during the day, it is worth considering.

It has been a number of years since I took the 155 out of Isabella, and it seemed to go on forever! The endless slow curves was mind-numbing. It was one of those "never again" experiences.

That stretch of one-lane between Three Rivers to Mineral King will probably be all the slow road you can stand. Google shows "27.6 mi, 1 hour 4 mins Mineral King Rd"

If I were driving, I'd go Visalia, Bakersfield, Tehachapi.

And best of luck on the hike! What route out of Mineral King are you taking? It should be fun seeing Whitney from the pass, before getting there 2-3 days later.

And we definitely want a report, both of the hike, AND your driving route. smile

Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Steve C #25601 07/03/12 10:31 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
E
Elwood Offline OP
OP Offline
E
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Thanks! Everyone, After reading all your posts, I think we'll go conservative! Tehachapi, Bakersfield, Visalia. How many hours should it take us to drive from Lone Pine to Three Rivers, excluding the hour+ to Mineral King?
Many years ago, we hiked over Sawtooth Pass in route to climb Black Kaweah, but I've never been over Franklin Pass. Does anyone have a recommendation?
Also, in a couple of weeks, when we return, I'll do a trip report, to incude photos. If I can figure-out how to add them. Ha!

Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Elwood #25625 07/03/12 03:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,505
Likes: 103
S
Offline
S
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,505
Likes: 103
I think the 4.5 hours Google Maps gives for Lone Pine - Three Rivers is pretty close. Of course if you stop for food....

I've been over Glacier Pass and Blackrock Pass on the way to Mt Kaweah, but not Sawtooth or Franklin passes. Hmmmmm... Looking at the online map ( Mineral King using Gmap4 ), seems Glacier and Blackrock might get you to Whitney quicker.

As for uploading pictures, the Picture Gallery has a link at the top with instructions.


Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
Steve C #25633 07/03/12 05:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
Offline
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
And save your lunch money for Murray Family Farms along rt 58 just outside of Bakersfield. The sign says "Fruit Stand", but don't believe it: the place is a fresh and dried fruit and nut smoothie ice cream zillion kinds of trail mix emporium. With a view.


Wherever you go, there you are.
SPOTMe!
Re: Best Driving Directions from Lone Pine to Mineral King?
saltydog #25637 07/03/12 07:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
E
Elwood Offline OP
OP Offline
E
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Saltydog, Good tip! Always looking for side stuff. Is Brew Bakers still making beer in Visalia? Because we might be thirsty by the time we round the Southern Sierra!


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4
(Release build 20200307)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.032s Queries: 30 (0.027s) Memory: 0.6073 MB (Peak: 0.6822 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2024-03-28 16:30:44 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS