Tioga Pass
CA 120SR 120Crane Flat to Lee Vining · California
Distance58.4mi · 94 km
Drive time1 h 57 minon the road
DifficultyModerate
MountainForestLakes
Yosemite's high country crossing, the highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada.
CA 120 climbs east through Yosemite's high country from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass and down toward Lee Vining, threading granite domes, alpine meadows and the shore of Tenaya Lake at about 8,150 ft, topping out near 10,000 ft at the pass. Open only in summer; mind the altitude, the wildlife, and the long descent on the eastern side.
Where it runs
Crane FlatStart · California
Lee ViningEnd · United States
Character
Corners38bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb1427 mtotal ascent
Summit3036 mhighest point · 9961 ft
Summer
Elevation
1142 m rangeKnow before you go
- Closed most of the year by snow
- High altitude
- Wildlife and stopping sightseers
Along the road
- viewpoint View on Tenaya Lake
- viewpoint Disappearing Meadows
- viewpoint Ellery Lake Lookout
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Tioga Pass.
