CA Hwy 49 in winter

[mlbw]

We're thinking about travelling Hwy 49 S in California from Placerville in mid-December in a 35' motorhome with a small toad. Not sure what the elevation is there. Is this a crazy idea or is it likely to be okay, weather-wise?

Does anyone have any must-sees or RV park recommendations?

Thanks!

[skigramp]

Google Earth will show you the elevations along the route.

• [Get Directions] ... enter pt A to pt B
• Right click any point on the blue route generated
• Left click on [show elevation]
• the elevation and the grade are shown as you move the curser

You can also move the little yellow man to the route ... then you can "drive the route" by clicking ... you can see the width of the lanes, the shoulders, etc.

[mlbw]

I use a Mac; right clicking (control+mouse click) doesn't produce the elevation option, but thanks for the tip about the little man. I forgot about him. Very useful.

[biosensai]

Just watch the weather. I use accuweather with my iPad. If a cold storm's coming, move into the valley. We were staying at the fairgrounds at Mariposa (very basic, but full hook-ups) using it to visit Yosemite about 10 years ago. I was driving my Grand Cherokee in falling snow in Yosemite and driving rain in Maricopa. Awesome! There's a full hook-up campground on a bluff above Lake McClure just off 132 that is very nice. RV Park Northern California | RV Park Sacramento CA | Jackson Rancheria I haven't been to, but have been told it's one of the best in Cal. 49 is in the foothills. It has a few very steep, short areas and lots of just up and downs. Did it from one end to the other with a 26' Class C in the early '90's. There is a great book, Mountain Grades Directory RV bookstore - the world's largest online RV bookstore that details such. Last I checked there was not a version compatible with Apple, but my decades old copy is invaluable. No west coast RV'er should be without it.

[skigramp]

If you don't have this book ...

Mountain West Directory

order one today.

[mlbw]

Thanks for those tips! Appreciate the advice.

[Arch Hoagland]

You should be fine.

There is one extremely tight turn where the road doubles back on itself but other than that it is a very pretty area.