High Sierra Topix

Was there last week! I've seen worse roads around the sierras and there shouldn't be any issue with driving a normal clearance vehicle to the trailhead. We did take the Minarets highway as it's paved all but the last 6 miles, plus the views are much better. If you're coming from Oakhurst, you can cut around Bass Lake to North Fork and the difference in time should be negligible. Keep in mind that it takes at least an hour/hour and a half as you go deep back in there. The two times I've been back there were in higher clearance vehicles but when I did it, I would have no doubts my Cruze could make it.

I've been taking only the Minaret Road since 1978, driving everything from a VW bug to a Toyota Tercel or Corolla. They rerouted the road to the present Isberg Trailhead sometime in the 1980s (I don't remember the exact year). I've never had a problem with any of those vehicles since they put in the new trailhead and parking. By the way, at both Clover Meadow and Granite Creek, there is no fee for camping and there are some great campsites.