Location: Yosemite National Park, Northern California, near the Nevada border Length: 64 miles (103 km) Time To Allow: 1 day Description/Highlights/Points of Interest The Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road National Scenic Byway offers one of the most memorable passages over the Sierra Nevada. You'll drive through the highest automobile pass in California and experience an elevation change of one mile (1.6 km) from west to east. Views include towering granite peaks, pristine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows and lush evergreen forests with Giant Sequoia groves. See how ancient glaciers created this serene, yet rugged, landscape. Suggested Itinerary Begin your tour on the east end of Yosemite National Park by ascending the Tioga Pass and entering the Park. Be sure to have the entrance fee handy. The charge is $20.00 for a passenger car. It will differ for other types of vehicles. This fee will entitle you to seven days of entry into the Park. You can come and go as you like within those seven days. Enjoy the drive as you approach Tuolumne Meadows. Get out here and take advantage of all the the tours and tram rides available. Expect to spend several hours learning and exploring this national treasure! Fifteen to twenty miles (24.1–32.2 km) past Tuolumne Meadows, look to the south and notice Tenaya Lake. To the north and you will see the towering peaks of Mt. Hoffmann and Tuolumne. Continue along the Tioga Road throughout most of the park. It is a fantastic drive with many things to see and do. The Junction at Crane Flat is a good stopping place, and to the north is Tuolumne Grove, a short hike onto a pretty grove of sequoia trees with a self guided nature trail. Down the road and to the south is Merced Grove. The trail into Merced is more difficult than at Tuolumne, but just as enjoyable. As you near the end of the recognized byway at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, be sure to stop and gather information about Yosemite. As you exit the national park, you may wish to turn to the north and take a side trip up to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. This is an especially great idea for those that like the outdoors and back country trails. Fishing is available at the reservoir. The Rangers there love to talk about the area so be sure to ask. After a visit to the reservoir, turn back towards Big Oak Flat Road and head down into the Yosemite Valley, about 40 miles (64 km) to the south. Stop at the visitors center for up-to-date information about activities and sights. There are lots of things to do and see in the valley, including the famous Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls. Hotels and restaurants are plentiful here, which makes the area an excellent place to stay the night. Continue south along Highway 41 (Wawona Road) into Wawona. Though smaller than Yosemite Valley, plenty of amenities are still to be found here, including the Pioneer Museum and Visitors Center. Try a stay at the Historic Wawona Hotel. If you visit at the right time of the year (summer), hop on the free shuttle bus at the Wawona store. This will take you 7 miles (11 km) away to the Mariposa Grove. The grove is famous for the "Drive Through Trees," the giant sequoias. Though cars no longer drive through these trees, feel free to explore by foot or tram (for a fee). Towards the top of the grove, a small museum and gift shop help orient visitors. The tour ends as you head south (or north if you wish) and out the South Entrance towards Fish Camp and into the Sierra National Forest.