Has anyone ever driven route 49 north from the Coarsegold area to Columbia CA or near either one? It is described as a 2-lane mountain road and extremely hot weather is forecast for the next 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for your help.

Yes, i have driven part of that road south bound from Chinese Camp to Mariposa 2 years ago. The 13 miles to Big Oak Flat is ok, just after the road splits there i caught a glimpse of a sign that i think said that trucks with a king pin length of over 30 ft. were not recommended. We are 35 ft. and tow a jeep, and after going around 5-6 sharp curves where i was over the center line to get around them, i told my wife that we better unhook and have her drive ahead of me and let me know by radio if anything was coming the other way.

Did not meet too much traffic although there was one tour bus i had to wait for. In several places there was only 1-2 feet of shoulder along the road and from there it dropped off rather sharply. First we climbed, then we dropped back down and then we climbed again and had to go around a rather sharp hairpin turn just before we got to Mt. Bullion. Even with the jeep off i had to swing wide to the outside on most corners and cut across the center line to make the curves.

I did it once but don't think i would do it again. Don't have any idea about the road north of Chinese Camp.....if you do it let us know what you think of the route.

Thank you for the good and helpful information. With that in mind and the temps here in the 105 degree range, we have decided to head for the coast and go north.

We hope to come back south later. Mebbe not. We were looking for the easiest way from Coarsegold to Columbia, but may have to "poke along" which is our favorite way to travel.

Thanks again.