Question: Place to Leave A Car Outside YOS, Lee Vining Area

Hey There, 

Heading to the valley, meeting a friend in Lee Vining and only wanting to take one car into the park for a few days (have a campsite) and plan on riding bikes to climbs, etc.

Any suggestions on where we can park a car for a few days outside the park in Lee Vining area, just want to cut down the carbon footprint and simplify the travel arrangement.

Thanks in advance.

-Z

The big gas station as you start up the hill from Lee Vining has an enormous parking lot and I believe lots of people leave cars there overnight. 

Also, you'll probably get more feedback if you post this in the Southern California section. I know that doesn't make sense, but the people coming to the Eastern Sierra are predominantly coming from SoCal. 

You can likely do it right outside the eastern gate to the park -- the giant gravel lot just East of the Tioga Pass gate. Would be nice to check in with the rangers just to confirm you can leave a vehicle for a couple of days, but people do it. It's also a pretty safe spot. People camp there every night, and there's plenty of traffic going on that road in the day. Your vehicle will stay safe. 

Parking lot above Tioga lake would do just fine. Usually fills up at night with van lifers so it wouldn’t be alone. 

Arnav V wrote:

You can likely do it right outside the eastern gate to the park -- the giant gravel lot just East of the Tioga Pass gate. Would be nice to check in with the rangers just to confirm you can leave a vehicle for a couple of days, but people do it. It's also a pretty safe spot. People camp there every night, and there's plenty of traffic going on that road in the day. Your vehicle will stay safe. 

If you’re talking the one below Ellery Lake on the hairpin turn, it’s no longer accessible for overnight parking. Showed up a couple months ago around 9pm to park for the night and it was vacant and blocked off with “no overnight parking” signs. 

I left my car at Saddlebag Lake parking for a few nights this summer. It's a bit out of the way, but no tickets and no problems. 

Brooks Turner wrote:

If you’re talking the one below Ellery Lake on the hairpin turn, it’s no longer accessible for overnight parking. Showed up a couple months ago around 9pm to park for the night and it was vacant and blocked off with “no overnight parking” signs. 

It's the one that is directly adjacent to the eastern gate and the ranger station. In fact, the ranger station is within view while camping. Of course, there are better free places to camp, but for leaving a car that's a safe spot because it's always within view/earshot of somebody. 

Park it in the dirt lot next to the Mobil gas station, like everyone else...what's with all the convoluted beta?

Andrew Rice wrote:

Also, you'll probably get more feedback if you post this in the Southern California section. I know that doesn't make sense, but the people coming to the Eastern Sierra are predominantly coming from SoCal. 

lol what...?

Fan Y wrote:

lol what...?

Los Angeles to Lee Vining: 5:00 -5.30 hours. San Francisco to Lee Vining: 5:45 hours, IF Tioga Pass is open. Which it only is from May/June to first snows, often October or early Nov. In winter, it's more like 7 hours from SF, over Highway 50.

Why is this hard to understand?