Yosemite Tour, Tale, and Pics

[BrianN]

After having the car for two years we finally took it on an extended tour. Three days at Yosemite. Total of 644 miles. Furthest point was Tioga Lake just outside the Tioga Pass gate at 9932' elevation. The car ran GREAT! Even at altitude. Total oil consumed as just over 1/4 quart. Fuel economy was about 19mpg. Engine never overheated, though it ran at about 220 ascending the scorching foothills from Merced to Mariposa. 95+ heat.

We chose to return late on Tuesday via the northern route after sunset to avoid traffic and heat. But that was still a Mr. Toads wild ride. Lots of high speed interstate truck traffic and a 30 knot headwind over Altamont Pass. The car seems to lift a bit at high air speed, causing sensitivity to road surface grooves and side winds. HANG ON!

The trip did convince me to get into the front suspension again and change out the bushings and king pins. And maybe go to 60 spoke wheels and a bit larger and better tires. Especially if we are going to take more trips like this.

Here are some pics of the trip:

El Capitan in Yosemite Valley:

Tioga Pass Elevation 9932'

IXORA with a Search and Rescue heliocpter in Yosemite Valley:

 

[John Loftus]

Hi Brian,

So what's the story with the search and rescue helicopter? You didn't get lost did you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

Great pictures and glad to hear the Healey gave you a trouble-free ride. I plan to get up to Yosemite in September to hike up Half Dome as a training for our annual Mt. Whitney hike . Yosemite is a beautiful park .. especially when it's not too crowded!

Cheers,
John

 

[gonzo]

Brian
Great photos! Thanks for sharing. Your Healey look’s wonderful in the wilderness. We’ve driven our Healey to Sonora and over Sonora Pass. Back roads in general are quite rewarding in a good performing Healey, especially when that brief reflection in the rear view mirror happens to be from a new, super-bike quick Lotus!

Healeys are for the open road – much preferred to mixing-up with traffic on the 580 / 680 / 101 corridor. You probably consider returning South I-5 then west through Pacheco Pass on to Hollister as your alternate. Less busy, but definitely HOT.

John: Funny – we’re doing/planning the opposite: Yosemite’s Half Dome to train for Mt.Whitney climb.

Yosemite is stupid crowded right now. Right now the 400+ steps to the back of the Dome are under maintenance/ construction and closed Mon. through Thurs; but opened Fri, Sat and Sun. As a result the trail(s) tend to be crowded with enthusiast of every sort – some demanding to “make-way” for their decent. With a 4000+ft. drop straight to the bottom I happily remind these folks of a faster alternate route down. Rudest crowd ever!

John, your timing should be better. Happy trails.

Brian, thanks again for sharing. Hope to see you at the Palo Alto British Car Meet Sept 11th. GONZO

 

[tahoe healey]

Brian, you had a better experience than we did with the Golden Gate Healey club. Great ride up from Manteca until we almost reached the gate. Then it was bumper to bumper to get into the park(up hill, 40 minutes to go 1/2 mile in heat). I peged at 230 but lost no coolent. Dave Knok (British Car Specalist) lost all his coolant and filled with genuine Merced River water. Dave was running racing fuel and it runs hotter. We were an hour late for our lunch reservation at the Ahwanee Hotel. The traffic was so bad in the park we averaged about 8 to 10 miles per hour. Couldn't see much. But great ride there and back. We had about 10 Healeys and we got a lot of attention. Next time in the spring or fall. Are you a GGHC member? We have a LOT of Northern Cal rides. Check the wed sight.
Gonzo, we may be in Palo Alto also.

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
Right now the 400+ steps to the back of the Dome are under maintenance/ construction and closed Mon. through Thurs; but opened Fri, Sat and Sun.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Mitch, Thanks for the info on the construction. I recall my hiking buddy mentioning it also. We are planning a weekend hike in mid Sept. so hopefully the summer crowds will be long gone. We are then doing a moonlight hike up Whitney to get to the top at sunrise. Should be great if the weather cooperates.

Cheers,
John

 

[BrianN]

Dr. T--

Yes, Yosemite can be croweded. I understand the gate is closed from time to time on account of excessive numbers of vehicles in the park. Fortunately, we go on Sunday-Tuesday on account of our work schedules, so it's not so bad. For this last visit there was no wait at either gate coming or going. Lucky I guess. Lots of parking in the Valley, too.

We plan on being at Palo Alto this year. Used to take the Triumphs there every year. (We had his and hers Spitfires for many years.)

With six weddings on the summer calendar this year (I didn't know I had that many friends!) many car club activities were put aside. Perhaps next year we can participate more.

Also, we signed up for Autumn Classic in San Juan Bautista. Looking forward to that as well. Hope to see lots of Healeys there this year. (And no rain!).

 

[tahoe healey]

John,be sure you have reservations for Whitney. They limit it. We had reservations for July 4th but it was still covered with impassable snow. Next year we'll try for later in the year. Have you done it before?
Brian, your Healey looks great with EL Cap in the back.

 

[John Loftus]

Hi TH,

Yes, reservations have been made. This will be my 3rd hike up Whitney. First time was from the west side (up from Guitar Lake) after 5 days in Kings Canyon. Incredible backpacking country. The last two times have been one day hikes up the main trail from the Portal. I like hiking up there in September (this year we are going on the 20th) .. after the summer thunderstorm season, and gives the snow a chance to melt! Just need to be on the lookout for early winter storms but so far no problems.

Cheers,
John