L.A. to Mammoth and back

[Beer Shaker]

Has anyone attempted this trip? It doesn't look like there are any CNG stations along the 395, so, I'm forced to take the 99 to Fresno, then the 41 to the 120 to the 395. I'm kinda worried about the drive thru Yosemite, I haven't done it before and assume there's a lot of hills. Thoughts? Oh yeah, I'll be driving a Ford Cargo Van E350 or of Ford F250 loaded with beer (for Bluesapalooza!). Am I crazy to contemplate this trip in a CNG van?

[hoofnit]

Re: L.A. to Mammoth and back

What range do you have? The nearest CNG Station to MM is Merced (170 miles one-way). Fresno is almost 200 miles one-way.

You will climb three big hills getting to over 5,000 ft, then back down.

[Beer Shaker]

Re: L.A. to Mammoth and back

My range is 200 mi. It not looking like this trip is a possibility w/o a CNG station on the 395.

[camryman]

Re: L.A. to Mammoth and back

No way you'll make it unless you have AAA for the ride back. Yosemite is a very long 2 lane mountain road going up to 9000 ft... Now if you add a few tanks you might make it.

[Michael]

Re: L.A. to Mammoth and back

There is a station in California City near US 395. However, it's still 213 miles one-way from California City to Mammoth Mountain. Merced is closer at only 175 miles one-way via Yosemite. But if your range is only 200 miles, you're looking at an awfully long ride back on the tow truck.

[Michael]

Re: L.A. to Mammoth and back

Another option is to go up through South Lake Tahoe and then back down. That still probably won't work if your range is only 200 miles because it is 150 miles one-way from South Lake Tahoe to Mamouth Mountain. And that sure is a long way around to get to Mammouth Mountain from Los Angeles.

I may be wrong about this, but I don't think that there is a natural gas pipeline near the portion of highway 395 in the Owens Valley nor just north of the valley. This would be a contributing factor as to why there are no CNG refueling stations along that portion of highway 395. The only other way to do it would be to have a CNG station that converts LNG and to haul the LNG to the station by truck. I wouldn't look for that to happen very soon.