Originally Posted by RedandBlack

So, here are my questions...


What is the best time to start this trek considering the heat of the desert and the cold/snow of the mountains, avoiding tourist season in the parks, etc...?

That can be tough to manage on this route. Our strategy was to go as early as we were sure the passes were open (Tioga Pass in particular). It didn't work out as well as it could have though. We still got there when Yosemite only had any services open in the valley and still had 110+ heat in the Mojave and very hot weather elsewhere. We did have a few cold nights as well. Despite all I that, timing it to hit Tioga soon after opening is still probably a good time to go. We were hit with an unusually early heat wave, so hopefully you will have cooler weather.


We are mostly looking at ACA and other established routes since we are new to touring and would like to avoid headaches. However, we love adventure. What are the best routes to take for this trip? Do you recommend taking the Sierra Cascade trail to the Lewis and Clark or the Trans American? Should we double back or take the Great Divide to the Northern Tier? Is there a route you would recommend over an ACA one?


It depends on what you want to see and do. If you are set on the Sierra Cascades route how about starting with that and only some very general planning of where you may go? Then you can make choices beyond that as you go. Consider planning far enough ahead to have maps sent to you if you are using ACA routes. That way it will be easy to adjust your plans as you gain experience and have a better idea of what to expect.


Am I biting off more too much for a six month tour... too little?


My suggestion is to be flexible on the schedule and the end point, or maybe even on the route. That way you will always have the flexibility to make it the right amount.


What places (parks, cities, etc...) in the area would you recommend seeing or staying clear of?


For the SC, it was almost all pretty beautiful. We especially liked Sequoia and Yosemite.


I will say that I found the route exceedingly difficult and suffered a lot especially in the heat, so be expecting a pretty tough ride if you take the SC route. It will probably be fine if you are tough and fit, but this route is the hardest I have done, despite having toured a good bit. If you aren't up for quite that tough of a ride something like the Trans America is still pretty challenging and plenty rewarding. If you are up for the challenge the scenery on the SC is amazing.


Be sure you have plenty of water, since there were some long stretches with no water. There are even some towns with no water. Caliente, where we would have been in deep trouble if a guy working in the post office had not given us some of his bottled water, comes to mind.