49'er ride coming up

[Wee Willy]

Some friends & I are planning a multi-day ride through California's gold country before the weather conspires against us in the next month or so. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions about routes and sights not to be missed. We're coming from So Cal (LA area) and the first day gets us in the general area. Here the day 1 route.

Day 1 will be a long one but we'll get an early start and ride to position ourselves for the next couple of days.

Day 2 is in work now. More on it in a bit.

Cheers,

W2

 

[Tree Doc]

That's a hefty first day!

I was just through there last Monday from Oakhurst to Mocassin and up over Tioga, then Tuesday from Tahoe back down to 49 from Jackson (88 to 49) to the 120 again and in to Yosemite. I have a friend in Sonora and he strongly urged us to swing into the Museum in Sonora. We didn't have the time but it's on our list for our next trip. That stretch between Oakhurst to Hwy 120 is always a good one though they tar-snaked the bajeezus out of 49 around the Lil' Dragon compared to last year.

 

[Wee Willy]

Here's an idea for Day 2. Hit Yosemite, then north to Chinese camp and Sonora (thanks Tree Doc) then east on 108 to 395 and back across on the 4 to Angel's Rest.

W2

 

[Tree Doc]

That leg's looking good! The only thought I have on that one is there is some nasty road construction going on in Yosemite, essentially from the southern Hwy 41 entrance, along Wawona, all the way to the Bridalveil Fall parking area. I avoided it because I was told by other M/C'ists that the road is pulverized (literally) and it's gravel and dust yet the cars are doing 50 through it. The construction will last through November. As much as I wanted to run up to Glacier Point from the Valley Floor, I blew it off due to the reports and that we were sort of pressed for time. Just sayin...

 

[twodogs]

Here's an idea for Day 2. Hit Yosemite, then north to Chinese camp and Sonora (thanks Tree Doc) then east on 108 to 395 and back across on the 4 to Angel's Rest.
W2

I'd go up and over Tioga Pass (beautiful scenery on the way up and I think not to be missed) and then 395 north (not so much). You could still head back west via 108 or 4. But, if you do I'd go through Angels Camp another half hour or so on 49 to stay in Sutter Creek, a relatively well preserved gold rush town or, out of the way from 49, tiny and much more rustic, Volcano. Or, take 88 to the same destinations.

Or, keep going N on 395 to Minden and drop into Tahoe via Kingsbury Grade . For a short day - ride around the lake and stay in Tahoe for some casino fun. For a longer day - leave Tahoe via 89 south to 88 west and stay in Volcano (two gold rush era hotels -think primitive rooms - and very little else; both with dive bars and excellent food on the weekends) or Sutter Creek (a few b and b's, a hotel, a motel and a couple of good resturants).

Some of these road choices depend on if you're sightseeing or riding. I'd pick Tioga Pass and 88 for either purpose. Unfortunately, 395 is boring. Tahoe is a pain for riding, too much traffic.

Bill

 

[Tree Doc]

+1 for Tioga. My wife and I were just in amazement for our first pass over. We rolled from there to S. Lake Tahoe via 395/89/50. I have to say, I really loved 395. I set the Passport 9500i in "Highway" Mode and pinned the throttle. Those long sweepers and excellent road conditions were a lot of fun for me. 89 up the Monitor Pass which gets you to 4 or 88 if you so choose, was pretty awesome, too.

This view had quite the impact on me so I took this shot....

 

[Wee Willy]

Bravo on Tioga pass. It is one of my favorites too. Here's the rub though. Last October two of our party rode 395 from LA to Tahoe so we've decided to concentrate predominantly on the west side of the Sierras. And we've all been on Tioga several times in the last few years (Tuolumne is one of my favorite spots in central CA). So we're looking for all the "other" rides in the area. We're really looking for those places the locals know well, but where the tourists don't typically have time to wander around and see (Sacramento Mike...I'm really waiting to hear from you.)

So don't let that keep the recommendations from flowing in...Day 2 is stiill soft and pliable. Day 1 is hardening fast.

Any ideas for day 3? Were thinking of going up 49 north of Sacramento then maybe going to the coast OR doing another stint across the Sierras OR maybe Shasta OR...

Good ideas welcome. We're all seasoned MC riders so any reasonable hardship is no problem.

Cheers,

W2

 

[Tyler]

How far west? Look at the Quincy area... Quincy-LaPorte Rd, 70/Feather River are some really wonderful areas.

 

[Tyler]

How far west? Look at the Quincy area... Quincy-LaPorte Rd, 70/Feather River are some really wonderful areas.

Ok, wait, I just looked at your map... look at Wentworth Springs/Icehouse Rd. and out to Loon Lake. There are a fricking TON of roads in that area that just rock... shoot me an email addy and I'll forward you some routes I've used in the past in the Gold Country area.

 

[Wee Willy]

PM sent Ty.

W2

 

[Tyler]

PM sent Ty.
W2

PM answered, W2.

 

[Khunajawdge]

I'm heading to this; https://www.ccbr.org/bash.htm

 

[CAJW]

W2, so many roads, so little time off. I'd love to take some time off to show you a few local haunts, but will be halfway to Mt. Rushmore when you're in my area. A great little gem I just rode recently is Hwy 26. For a short little diversion, take it East out of Mokelumne Hill toward Wilseyville (Uberkul town) then north up toward 88 then you can head west back to 49 or east over Kit Carson pass. Or you could cross 88 and pickup Volcano/Pioneer Rd through Volcano, take Rams Horn Grade North to Shake Ridge back to 49, the possibilities are endless. Whatever you decide, you won't be disappointed, enjoy our neighborhood!

Here's another slant to that route that is a great ride also. Via Fiddletown Rd

 

[WBill]

I had a good stay in Sutter's Creek. WBill

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

Anybody know off hand what the speed limit is on 49?

I've been trying to find that info for a couple weeks with no luck. Last time I rode it was a few years back and I don't remember it being particularly slow, but I've been finding stuff that is calling it "super twisty" and very slow.

Thanks!

 

[Tree Doc]

IIRC from last week, it's 45 in most of the twisty areas. 55 on stretches from Oakhurst to Mariposa but the CHP is strong on Radar coming out of Oakhurst so be wary. Between Jackson and 120, it was clogged with 35 mph drivers and that was on a Tuesday afternoon at about 1:30. Not to mention the CHP that was in front of us by 5 cars for many, many miles through one stretch. Damn, that was a nightmare but we were wearing our water-soaked cooling gear at that point.

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

Perfect - that's exactly what I needed to know.

Thanks!

 

[AIRHEAD#124]

Ride Tioga Pass; come in thur hwy 140;less traffic, spend the night in Mammoth Lakes :yahoo: NEXT DAY JUNE LAKE LOOP . HWY395 TO SONORA PASS;IN SONORA GO THUR COLUMBIA TO HWY 4 TO HWY 89. GREAT 1 DAY RIDE THUR THE BEST M/C PASS'S: STAY IN THE CARSON VALLEY OR TAHOE; THEN RIDE HWY 49 SOUTH FROM SIERRAVILLE HWY49&89 :thumbsupsmileyanim:

JUST FINISHED THAT LOOP; THEN TOOK HWY 20 TO FORT BRAGG & HWY1 SOUTH TO HOME! (pismo beach area)

 

[FJRBluesman]

Looks like fun W2. Both days will be long days in the saddle. IMO you're pushing day 2 ride to taking in scenery and do those miles on those roads. I'd get stuck in Yosemite for the day. Doing both passes will take a while not stopping for shots.

Enjoy, and ride safe.