6/8/2016 YOSEMITE TO BISHOP – Yosemite, Tioga Pass & the June Lake Loop

The remaining eight gathered for departure from Tenaya Lodge just after 9am. It was another clear and sunny day, although with some warmth. Since Jim and Diane had not gone into the Park the previous day and the Stevens and Webers had not gone as far as the Village on their day trip with the Priebes, we all followed Doug and Marilyn into the Park and all the way to the Village Store, with a couple of opportunities for oohs and aahs at the magnificient scenery. We then circled back to Tioga Road and headed out to the Tioga Pass and on to Hwy 395.

The pass had only been open a few weeks and there was still a lot of snow as we climbed up to the 9000+ foot level. We stopped at a few viewpoints for panoramic views of the Valley and saw Half Dome from the 3rd or 4th angle of the trip. While the others stopped for a rest at Tuolomne Meadows, the Webers shot ahead to fill the tank of the thirsty beast before we all headed south on 395 towards Bishop.

Doug and Marilyn had planned a lovely detour along the June Lake Loop and a stop for lunch at the Double Eagle Resort in the Eagles’ Landing Restaurant. We were all very favorably impressed by the restaurant, the service, the setting and the food and enjoyed a leisurely meal before looping back onto 395 for the 60 miles south into Bishop. We got to the Creekside Inn about 6 hours after we left Tenaya Lodge. We checked in to our creek side rooms and most of us took a dip in the pool, while Diane took a nap.

Dinner was unplanned since most of us were not very hungry. Doug and Marilyn skipped the meal altogether, but the rest of us ended up at Jack’s which has been in business for 70 years and as Jim said, is a solid 5. Certainly neither the setting nor the food were as spectacular as we have been enjoying, but Bishop seems to be in a culinary no man’s land at this point and “beggards can’t be choosers.” We will make up for it by stocking up at Eric Schaat’s Bakery tomorrow morning before leaving for home.

The wonderful finale to a fantastic trip was the amazing sky of pinks and blues surrounding us as we walked back from dinner and sat outside our rooms. The red, cloud filled, western sky stretched from horizon to horizon. It certainly added a huge exclamation mark to a great time had by all. We are already talking about options for the coming year, so hope that more of the COTV gang will see these photos and words and want to share in the good times.

Pics from Marilyn & Doug