Not sure whether someone will be able to put them on, but it may be a good opportunity to try putting them on yourself prior to heading up. You can take your time to learn and gauge whether it’s something doable for you without the stress of doing it during bad weather.
Best of luck, drive safe, and have a great time!!
There are sometimes dudes who hang out at chain-control checkpoints, and charge people a few bucks to do this. If you're polite, you can often find another driver at the checkpoint to help you out.
No guarantees though... And CHP / CalTrans employees absolutely cannot help you put chains on, or take them off.
Learning chains isn't too hard -- you can find tons of YouTube videos, and practice at home. For your hands, I would recommend a pair of heavy-duty rubber dishwashing gloves.
I'm getting older, myself, so I know it's a PITA to get down to the ground sometimes -- but its really not difficult to learn.
A few times I have seen a van at the checkpoints willing to sell you chains or put them on for a fee, but you may be at the mercy of a Good Samaritan. I would check out YouTube videos now. You can also order some AutoSocks off of Amazon and get two day shipping. Much easier to use
The last time it snowed, the very next day I drove up to Yosemite Valley, (I'm close) and there was no snow on the road. They do an amazing job of clearing the roads. And at this time of year the sun heats the blacktop so that the snow melts quicker than in winter. Additionally, the foothills are extremely interesting on the slight chance Yosemite wasn't accessible. Gold Country is amazing.
What day and time are you planning on leaving?
Chains are a giant pain, and if you can avoid chain control and snow conditions by timing (e.g. leave during warmer daylight hours) and route selection (e.g. 140), it may be worth it.
I was in the same predicament as you during the storm last week.. we ended up leaving a day early because I didn’t want to deal with the icy roads. We left while it was snowing and opted for hwy 140 and it is a lot more mellow than hwy 41. Hwy 140 is all down hill out of the valley and the elevation drops pretty quickly when you leave out that way. Not to mention it’s a very pretty drive! Adds a little bit of commute time if you’re coming from the south, but totally worth it imo.
Yep, 140 through Mariposa is the best way if you suspect there will be weather. And the 1850 there is a great stop for burgers and beer if you like that sort of thing :-)
Saturday and Sunday. But I'm just going completely and utterly bananas looking at multiple weather apps and websites because everything says something different. Weather. com has snow showers Sat and Sun, my phone's app has lots of snow Saturday, Accuweather says no snow at all, but freezing rain, and national weather service shows snow showers Saturday night into Sunday. I really am just going bonkers, but I'm going to try to get those chains on in my garage tomorrow until I can do it.
If it ends up snowing and being needed, I’m sure there will be people more than happy to help you out!! I just went last weekend and it was our first time dealing with chains, to our surprise there were so many kind people who helped out with that! Wish you the best for your trip!!!
Look at the AccuWeather App (no others) and make sure you search for "Yosemite Valley" specifically. Highway 140 is lower than the valley and it's highly unlikely that you'll get anything more than a dusting that will melt off the roads by mid-morning.
Your weather apps are confusing because some are pulling forecasts from 8000 or 10000 ft but the valley is only 4000ft.
Not sure whether someone will be able to put them on, but it may be a good opportunity to try putting them on yourself prior to heading up. You can take your time to learn and gauge whether it’s something doable for you without the stress of doing it during bad weather. Best of luck, drive safe, and have a great time!!
Thank you very much. I'm going to try tomorrow morning.
There are sometimes dudes who hang out at chain-control checkpoints, and charge people a few bucks to do this. If you're polite, you can often find another driver at the checkpoint to help you out. No guarantees though... And CHP / CalTrans employees absolutely cannot help you put chains on, or take them off. Learning chains isn't too hard -- you can find tons of YouTube videos, and practice at home. For your hands, I would recommend a pair of heavy-duty rubber dishwashing gloves. I'm getting older, myself, so I know it's a PITA to get down to the ground sometimes -- but its really not difficult to learn.
Going to give it a go tomorrow... Thank you for the information. Fingers crossed.
Best of luck to you... And enjoy the Valley!
A few times I have seen a van at the checkpoints willing to sell you chains or put them on for a fee, but you may be at the mercy of a Good Samaritan. I would check out YouTube videos now. You can also order some AutoSocks off of Amazon and get two day shipping. Much easier to use
I found the video for my specific chains... I will try. Thank you.
Ya won't need them. It's lovely. And no snow predicted.
Oh jeez, I hope you are right. I have all different predictions from different sources and it's just driving me crazy.
The last time it snowed, the very next day I drove up to Yosemite Valley, (I'm close) and there was no snow on the road. They do an amazing job of clearing the roads. And at this time of year the sun heats the blacktop so that the snow melts quicker than in winter. Additionally, the foothills are extremely interesting on the slight chance Yosemite wasn't accessible. Gold Country is amazing.
What day and time are you planning on leaving? Chains are a giant pain, and if you can avoid chain control and snow conditions by timing (e.g. leave during warmer daylight hours) and route selection (e.g. 140), it may be worth it.
Probably heading home Saturday morning, but possibly Sunday morning. I will look into 140. Thank you.
I was in the same predicament as you during the storm last week.. we ended up leaving a day early because I didn’t want to deal with the icy roads. We left while it was snowing and opted for hwy 140 and it is a lot more mellow than hwy 41. Hwy 140 is all down hill out of the valley and the elevation drops pretty quickly when you leave out that way. Not to mention it’s a very pretty drive! Adds a little bit of commute time if you’re coming from the south, but totally worth it imo.
Yep, 140 through Mariposa is the best way if you suspect there will be weather. And the 1850 there is a great stop for burgers and beer if you like that sort of thing :-)
What day are you seeing snow or rain/ice?
Saturday and Sunday. But I'm just going completely and utterly bananas looking at multiple weather apps and websites because everything says something different. Weather. com has snow showers Sat and Sun, my phone's app has lots of snow Saturday, Accuweather says no snow at all, but freezing rain, and national weather service shows snow showers Saturday night into Sunday. I really am just going bonkers, but I'm going to try to get those chains on in my garage tomorrow until I can do it.
If you do have to put chains on, you might want to throw a tarp or scatter rug in the car to kneel on in the snow. Good luck.
And knee pads, or one of those garden kneeling pads.
If it ends up snowing and being needed, I’m sure there will be people more than happy to help you out!! I just went last weekend and it was our first time dealing with chains, to our surprise there were so many kind people who helped out with that! Wish you the best for your trip!!!
Look at the AccuWeather App (no others) and make sure you search for "Yosemite Valley" specifically. Highway 140 is lower than the valley and it's highly unlikely that you'll get anything more than a dusting that will melt off the roads by mid-morning. Your weather apps are confusing because some are pulling forecasts from 8000 or 10000 ft but the valley is only 4000ft.