Sonora Pass to Nevada, Monitor, Ebett's Passes

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Toecutter

What would DoG do?
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
6,202
Reaction score
20
Location
Fresno, CA
We're planning to head to Topaz Casino via 108 from Sonora for some fuel & lunch, then back over Monitor and Ebett's Passes before returning to Sonora through Angel's Camp for dinner, then heading home. Sunscreen is highly advisable.

Of course, this is pending that the roads will be open. One week after Memorial Day it's a good bet.

The Jamestown Chevron is the likely launch point at this time, 0900 hrs.

You may begin salivating. All are invited to join.

 
Bob, the bike is down right now.(minor problem) I don't anticipate it to still be down by the ride date, and if my schedule eases up by then, count me in.

I have not heard anything yet about when the passes will be open, but will keep my ear to the ground.

 
Bob, the bike is down right now.(minor problem) I don't anticipate it to still be down by the ride date, and if my schedule eases up by then, count me in.
I have not heard anything yet about when the passes will be open, but will keep my ear to the ground.
I'm leaving for a 7 day trip to the Central Oregon coast via Ebbets with stops in Quincy and Klamath Falls along the way. Will post up conditions along Ebbets and Hwy 4 as soon as practical.

JW

 
The passes are traditionally "opened" (Plowed, sanded, whatever it takes for the motorhomes/campers, etc.)by CalTrans for the Memorial Day weekend, so you should all be in good shape. You may find some sand in the corners at higher elevations, so take it a little easy...you don't want to find slippery stuff when severly leaned over in a tight corner!

If I can, I will ride Hwy 49-Hwy 4 East until I meet you coming the other way. I assume your not taking a side trip to Markleville, so I woldn't miss you at that juncture.

CAJW, the ride up Hwy 89 through Lassen should be really pretty right now. There might still be some snow in the higher mountains which will make for some dramatic photos inside Lassen Park. It sounds like your going to ride Hwy 89 around to I-5 and take Hwy 97 Northeast. Or are you going to take 147 around the East side of Lake Almanor and then 36 to 44 to Susanville and then 139 North past Tule Lake? The latter is the reverse of the route Bluestreek and I rode down from Skagit Valley (WFO-4).

 
Last edited by a moderator:
...you don't want to find slippery stuff when severly leaned over in a tight corner!
Hmm, note to self- try once again to not lead the ride I started...

If I can, I will ride Hwy 49-Hwy 4 East until I meet you coming the other way. I assume your not taking a side trip to Markleville, so I wouldn't miss you at that juncture.
Yeah, no trips into Markleeville, just planned stops at the Topaz casino and Sonora for dinner. That Peppery Grill place was nice. And close to Hwy 108. The upper parking lot gives me PTSD flashbacks though.

So, are you going to turn around and ride along once we cross paths? Eve will be so happy to see you! :wubsmiley: She just loves guys who help warm her up after a cold ride!

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yep, if it works out, I'd ride up to find you, turn around and ride down to Sonora with the group (Thinking I'll see you on Monitor Pass somewhere, or I'll wait at the overlook if I get away late). BTW, did'ya see the reply to "No sidecar" under the Open Passes ride?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yep, if it works out, I'd ride up to find you, turn around and ride down to Sonora with the group (Thinking I'll see you on Monitor Pass somewhere, or I'll wait at the overlook if I get away late).
Sounds like a plan!

BTW, did'ya see the reply to "No sidecar" under the Open Passes ride?
Yeah. Some cool stuff for sure, but only if I had a second (or third) bike.

 
CAJW, the ride up Hwy 89 through Lassen should be really pretty right now. There might still be some snow in the higher mountains which will make for some dramatic photos inside Lassen Park. It sounds like your going to ride Hwy 89 around to I-5 and take Hwy 97 Northeast. Or are you going to take 147 around the East side of Lake Almanor and then 36 to 44 to Susanville and then 139 North past Tule Lake? The latter is the reverse of the route Bluestreek and I rode down from Skagit Valley (WFO-4).
No stinkin' Interstate for me, Thank you! We're taking the 147 route around Lake Almanor and as you've listed above. Looks to be a good twisty, lesser traveled route that will take us up to Klamath Falls. Thanks for the travel planning advise!

CAJW

 
It's not really "twisty", but it is mountainous and curvy....until you head North from Canby. The 70 mile stretch from Canby to Klamath Falls is high desert and straight. In most places you can see for miles, even at super-legal speeds, just leave the radar detector on.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
It sounds like:

Meet at Jamestown Chevron @ 0900, head East on 108 over Sonora Pass to North on 395 to the Casino @ Topaz Lake. After lunch, South on Hwy 395 to R (West) on Hwy 89 over Monitor Pass, L on Hwy 4 over Ebbetts Pass to L on Hwy 49, South to Sonora for dinner.

My plan is to leave my house and ride up 88, R on 89 thru Markleeville and over Monitor Pass and meet them @ Topaz Lake.

The above information is gleaned from reading the posts by Toecutter. Does that help? :p

 
Last edited by a moderator:
It sounds like:
Meet at Jamestown Chevron @ 0900, head East on 108 to North on 395 to the Casino @ Topaz Lake. Then South on Hwy 395 to R (West) on Hwy 89 over Monitor Pass, L on Hwy 4 over Ebbetts Pass to Hwy 49, South to Sonora for dinner.

My plan is to leave my house and ride up 88, R on 89 thru Markleeville and over Monitor Pass and meet them @ Topaz Lake,
The route sounds right to me. You could boogie up Hwy 4 via Lake Tulloch and meet at Jamestown?

 
It sounds like:
Meet at Jamestown Chevron @ 0900, head East on 108 over Sonora Pass to North on 395 to the Casino @ Topaz Lake. After lunch, South on Hwy 395 to R (West) on Hwy 89 over Monitor Pass, L on Hwy 4 over Ebbetts Pass to L on Hwy 49, South to Sonora for dinner.

My plan is to leave my house and ride up 88, R on 89 thru Markleeville and over Monitor Pass and meet them @ Topaz Lake.

The above information is gleaned from reading the posts by Toecutter. Does that help? :p
Plans changed so we didn't ride Ebbet's for the promised road report, but did go over Kit Carson Pass (88) Sunday which was open with no restrictions and very little gravel, but did see a few rocks just west of Kirkwood so watch for those. The trip up north was a COLD one with two mountain roads closed due to snow. Problem was the road closed sign was about 40 miles in on County Hwys 15 & 120. Good riding just the same, but hate to see the same ground twice in one day with ice pellets and snow mixed in just to keep us on our toes.

 
madmike2 Posted Yesterday, 09:55 PM

Meet at Jamestown Chevron @ 0900, head East on 108 over Sonora Pass to North on 395 to the Casino @ Topaz Lake. After lunch, South on Hwy 395 to R (West) on Hwy 89 over Monitor Pass, L on Hwy 4 over Ebbetts Pass to L on Hwy 49, South to Sonora for dinner.
The above information is gleaned from reading the posts by Toecutter. Does that help? :p
Yes!

Depending on the time of day I may break off from the group and head home via 88 or 50

 
Top