Road trippin': Gustine to Yosemite via SR-140

There are basically four roadway routes into Yosemite National Park and onward to Yosemite Valley: State Route 120 from the east and north, State Route 41 from the south and -- in CT News' opinion, the most interesting and efficient approach -- State Route 140 from the west. If motoring alongside the meandering Merced River doesn't help get you in the mood for Yosemite Valley's granite grandeurs, nothing will. So hop on and away we go, along SR-140's entire, 102-mile length.

State Route 140

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Maps)

State Route 140 begins its eastward journey off Interstate 5, a few miles west of the small Central Valley town of Gustine.

Before it passes through Gustine, State Route 140 joins forces for a short stretch with the north-south Highway 33.

Gustine has a population a bit north of 5,000 residents and, at this point beside SR-140, features a pond-blessed city park.

Great Valley Grasslands State Park is located off the south side of Highway 140 a few miles east of Gustine, and has a boat ramp.

Not too far past Great Valley Grasslands State Park, SR-140 intersects with SR-165, which heads north to Highway 99 and south to I-5.

State Route 140 goes through the bulk of the Merced, passing by State Route 99 not too far from downtown.

East of Merced, State Route 140 continues as a rather typical, flat Central Valley road for several miles, before it encounters foothills.

These distinctive rock outcroppings become a striking and frequent sight along SR-140 as it transitions from valley floor toward the Sierra Nevada.

This historic on the north wide of Highway 140 commemorates Agua Fria, a once-substantial town founded around the Gold Rush.

Mariposa, a picturesque Gold Country town, is nestled into a small foothills valley in which SR-140 and SR-49 cross paths.

This roadside sign reminds motorists that if they intend to continue on to Yosemite National Park, they will need to pay a fee.

Just past the mountain community of Midpines, State Route 140 starts making a curvy dip down to the Merced River.

Once down by the river, Highway 140 features many bridges, the first of which is this one across from a small visitors center.

The small visitors center, for the Merced River Recreation area, is tucked between SR-140 and the river, and is surrounded by hills.

Here's a view of the Merced River looking eastward. To the left, across from the highway, is a ledge on which the Yosemite railway used to run.

This photograph was taken at the same spot as the previous picture, although in this case the camera is pointed westward.

After a few miles down in the Merced River gorge on its way toward Yosemite National Park, State Route 140 enters federal land.

More than 15 years ago, a major rockslide buried a portion of State Route 140. Ever since, motorists have had to use a short, one-lane detour.

Yosemite View Lodge is one of a handful of upscale lodgings that operate near various entrances to the national park, which at this point is 2 miles away.

CT News is hardly breaking new ground by taking this photograph at the western entrance to Yosemite National Park off SR-140.

As motorists make their way along SR-140 toward Yosemite Valley, they are treated to dramatic views of the Merced River and its enormous boulders.

Within Yosemite National Park, a few miles outside of the main valley floor, this intersection allows motorists to head up toward Tioga Pass.

Within Yosemite Valley, motorists have a couple of opportunities to turn around, including at this spot that is near the foot of El Capitan.

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