Trip report#2 Yosemite/Tahoe '98 Fri 8/14/98 - Sun 8/16/98 just driving around Yosemite Valley. I haven't been using that much power around Yosemite Valley so there's no real need for charging specifics... It's warm, flat and the speed limit is 25-35 mph so you can imagine the range is great. During the few days in the valley I only put 49.9 miles on the car and that's with several charges (none of which started at less than 75%) My friend Tom arrived (and woke me) around 6am Friday, the car had been charging right outside the cabin at 110 and was already full. Some of the utility guys came by in the morning and told me they had fixed the 10-30 receptacle at the utility area between Yosemite Village and lower Yosemite falls. cool. Tom and I drove around for a while and eventually went back to plug in the 6kw charger in the area set aside for it. We let the car charge (even though it really didn't need it) and we headed out to explore the village. Around 3:30 a surprise thunder storm roared through and started dumping water on us. I got back to the charger just in time to cover it up with a tarp and take the EV1 for a spin in the rain. We ran into 4 others from our group that we weren't expecting to meet until Saturday morning on the way to Half Dome. We decided to start the hike an hour earlier... if thunder storms roll in around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, we want be OFF of Half Dome (an notorious lightning rod) by then. After a refreshing walk in the rain we met up with my friend Mark from Tahoe and we had a nice dinner. Saturday we met at 6:45am near the Half Dome trailhead. The hike went without a hitch and 5 of the 7 of us made it all the way to the top. Vernal and Nevada falls were still pumping out a lot of water left over from our El Nino system. Just a spectacular hike with great views around every corner. We met up with a few other hikers on the trail and all decided to get together for the traditional pizza dinner after a long hike. I can't say enough good things about Saturday (since this is supposed to be about the car, I'll leave it at that). Sunday was a day for rest as we were all completely worn out from the hike. After an ordinary lunch we cruised around the Valley for a while then went for a swim at the pool at Curry Village. Also took a side trip in Tom's gas guzzler Jeep up to Glacier Point. Looking down at the ants down in the valley then up to the crest of Half Dome it's hard to imagine doing that whole span in a day (about 17 miles round trip and 4800ft gain). Yet there were hundreds of people up there and it was nearly a traffic jam on the cables you climb on the side of the dome. By the time dinner rolled around Tom and Mark had left along with most of the others leaving my friend Larry behind. Larry will join me on the Yosemite->Tahoe segment (assuming we can fit him and all our stuff and the charger in the car!) Monday we slept in and spent most of the day snacking or walking around Yosemite Valley. Since the floods early last year they've closed 2 of the campgrounds on the river. We walked through what used to be packed, noisy campgrounds but was now just quiet open space.. the occasional rafter on the river was the only sign of other people. We also walked through the 'Housekeeping' camp which is actually a neat little tent-cabin camping area. I thought this was made public just after the floods but the receptionist girl said it was public for a long time... why 'housekeeping' then? At 5:30 we went to pick up the car and try to pack all of our stuff (and the charger in)... all worked out fine and we were out of the valley with just a few photo stops. Up to Crane Flat I used 6 bars of power but it turns out the very cool 10-30 receptacle set out for me was closer to a hiking attraction than the campground so we decided to set up camp and get the charge in the morning when we visit the Tuolumne Grove of sequoia trees. Tuesday.. just another perfect day in Yosemite. It's a lot colder up at Crane Flat... we manage to get up and out by 8:30 or so. On the way out Keith Clark (Mr. Yosemite Electrical Stud) tracks us down and we talk for a while... and of course many thanks for the 10-30 installations that will make my trip possible for future EVs also. We set up the charger at the Toulumne Grove parking lot and head down to see more giant sequoia trees. A very pleasant walk. Back at the car we've only got 91% but that should be plenty. Charged at Tuolumne Grove (Crane Flat) for 2hrs, 22.8mi (from valley) 28%->91% A great day to be driving through the high Sierra, we make it to White Wolf without any trouble. Grab a sandwich at the little shop and read about Clinton's troubles. The car charges a short walk away at the laundry shack for the employees. Charged at White Wolf 2:20 hrs, 41.0mi (from valley) 50%->full. On the road again... A few stops to check out the views including a break to walk part way around Tanaya Lake... What a great area, there used to be a walk in campground here but no more... very nice. We proceed up to Tuolumne Meadows and check in at the campground then go check out the visitors center to ask about the mosquito situation down beyond Glen Aulin. So far it's not that bad. Keith has come through again with a 10-30 receptacle near the campground. This one's still upside down but I figure out how to fix it myself (He had 110 ready here also which is all I really needed). Larry and I grab some food at the little grill/snack shop then he heads back to camp (too cold). I wander back to see the sunset and grab my ritual chocolate snack. Now I'm sitting in the car waiting for it to finish. Charged at Tuolumne Meadows 2:30hrs, 72.7mi (from valley) 42%->full. Wed 8/19/98 Tuolumne -> Bridgeport 50 miles Froze my ass off last night. Got up for some hot breakfast then hit the trail at 9:15 for Glen Aulin/Waterwheel falls. Although this hike was longer than Half Dome, it was only about 1800ft elevation change vs. 4800 so it took less time. A great walk just around Tuolumne Meadows then down along the river (and many many waterfalls and rapids) to Glen Aulin (a really posh high sierra camp) and then on down to California, Le Conte, and Waterwheel falls down towards Hetch Hetchy. Got back just before 6pm with plenty of time to pack the tent and grab a snack and still get up to Tioga pass in daylight. We actually left with an 86% charge due to some driving to and from the trailhead. Got up to Tioga Pass (9945ft) at 60% Unfortunately I only got 5% power back going all the way down to Lee Vining (6900ft).. what's up with that? I got 30% or so back going 5000ft down Mt. Baldy... I don't think the pack was warm but I didn't check. With about 65% we decided to skip through Lee Vining and head over to Bridgeport. The plan was to charge up at Bridgeport Towing at 6kw on Friday morning. We changed the plan a few days ago shortening the Tuolumne stay to 2 days in order to get to Tahoe a day early... then this morning we removed the 2nd night because I was unprepared for 35 degree nights plus a shower and nice dinner would good after a long hike. Arriving in Bridgeport at sunset we found a place to plug in 110 at the Bridgeport Inn. I really do appreciate the fabulous dinner and the 'high'-flow shower heads here... and of course the 110Volts. Charged at Bridgeport Inn (1kw) 13:45hrs, 50.0 mi. 38%->84% Thu 8/20/98 Bridgeport -> Lake Tahoe 184.1 miles Only had 84% when we headed out of Bridgeport but we thought that would be enough. It was a cool charge spot even though it was 110, right in front of the Inn... unfortunately I forgot to take a picture. If we needed to, we could charge at the RV park at Topaz Lake... but we arrived with about 48% and decided to go for Gardnerville without. Almost got some 110 during lunch but the receptacle didn't have power and it wasn't worth the time getting it working. We stopped by the Carson Valley Inn RV park but they were unwilling to give us power without paying for a day.. that's ok, we'll move on. Gene at the Comstock RV park at the 395/50 intersection (Carson City) had told me I could plug in there so we headed out with only 14% in search of the RV park. Climbed a small hill but were able to plug in at Comstock RV at 5%. While charging, we hear about the U.S. bombing of Sudan and Afghanistan. Charged at Comstock RV (Carson City) for 2hrs, 80.4mi (wow!) 5%->87% 80.4 miles on 79% of power, but that does include some altitude changes (I'll have to go back and check). I'm starting to wonder if it isn't worth while to have a steep uphill as long as you have a LONG gradual downhill afterwords... My 1mi range per 100ft gain is just a very rough estimate given that good driving can get 70 or 80 miles range. Obviously we can't climb 7000ft with the lead acid packs but there are also the horizontal miles to consider... If I know I have to climb 2000ft for example I'll knock at least 20 miles off my estimates. Downhill totally confuses things.. I've had several occasions (Tioga, Vegas) where Regen gave me almost nothing. But then a long gradual downgrade where you can get by with little or no power really kicks ass. From Carson City we had no trouble getting to Reno and plugging in at the Hilton (formerly Ballys) RV park. The spot they gave me was to be taken at 6pm so I only had a little over an hour to charge, but that was ok... Probably saved money by not being exposed to the Casino for too long :) Charged at Reno Hilton for 1:25hrs, 115.4 mi. 45%->88% Of course had to stop in the center of town for a photo op. but then it was up the 80 towards Truckee. Mark would leave his place open at Tahoe Donner for us to hang out at, but he wouldn't be around till later so we decided to head on up to Lake Tahoe for dinner. It took 22% to get from Truckee to Tahoe City and that left me with 4% (!!) so we scouted for 110 and plugged in at the Travelodge and had a great dinner next door at 'Mi Casa Too'. Charged at Tahoe City Travelodge 1:50hrs, 166.9mi 4%->14% 14% seemed kinda risky, but it was mostly downhill so what the heck. I only used 9% returning to Truckee but then the steep hill up to Mark's place used up the remaining 5% and then some. Plugged into 110 with triple diamonds and a pack SOC of 10% (0 user SOC). Charged at Mark's Place (Tahoe Donner) 110V 184.1mi 0%->Full Fri 8/21/98 Lake Tahoe The car is still charging in the garage. Soon we'll head out in Mark's ICE car for some river rafting on the Truckee River... The EV1 should be charged by then. It looks like I'll have time to put this on the web this morning. I'll try to get a Tahoe P.O.V. (proof of visitation) shot soon. Other than that, my final report will probably come when I get back to Irvine. I will be in E-mail contact for the next week though.