Yosemite During the week of June 20th

[beemerdons]

Sam u SUCK.......

Don't worry about it Sam, that's why Old Michael and I like you!

 

[russperry]

Sam u SUCK.......

Russ u still gonna make it? I know i am.

R

Yep I'm still in. I'll probably be coming in Tuesday morning early - if I get in at 8:00 then maybe 30 min for a bite to eat be OK or is that too late?

 

[Fairlaner]

Thats fine by me, you can leave your stuff in my room until we gat back.

R

any preference on routes?

 

[russperry]

Thats fine by me, you can leave your stuff in my room until we gat back.

R

any preference on routes?

How many miles do you want to take in a day allowing for stops and a few photos? I'm thinking that planning on 300-350 miles per day and 6-7 hours of riding leaves enough time for a few stops for eating, gas, photos, etc....

Of course if Tioga Road is open it would be great to go up and over there - so many great views and maybe even a dunk in Tenaya Lake though it will be colder than hell. Last time I was on that road this time of year about 90% of the lake was still covered in ice.

Anyways, Highway 49 down to Mariposa then into Yosemite Valley on 140 is a nice route. Here's a route at just about 300 miles and 6.5 hours based on the assumption that Tioga would be open, including a tour through the valley but if traffic is bad we could bypass. Update on NPS site from Friday doesn't look good though for Tioga - still a lot of work to do and only 10 days left. Water flow on the Merced is right now over 5000 cfs so that means the waterfalls are rivers are running hard and should be good for another 10 days (I hope).

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203897504107495728991.0004a5751ea2f7dcd74bb&t=h&z=9

If Tioga is out of the picture then maybe this - about 300 miles, nearly 7 hours. This might also be a good 2nd day if Tioga is open. Only thing I don't know about is the return across Railroad Flat Road - looks nice and windy from Google maps but don't know anything about road condition. Maybe one of the Sacto guys knows? Puppychow, MadMike, TomInCA, or SacMike - any comments?

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203897504107495728991.0004a5755d3f42e0c9dfe&ll=38.320515,-120.486202&spn=0.069628,0.169086&t=h&z=13

That's a couple of other choices for a 3rd route - maybe a trip up north on 49 out to Quincy and beyond would be nice? That's the route that Bugnatr took on the trip back from Fortuna and the roads and scenery are terrific. Maybe somebody from the area could advise on improvements to the basic plan? I'll take a look at some of the suggestions that the others provided for the tail end of Wheaton's trip to see what else might work better.

 

[Fairlaner]

Russ the weather looks like it is going to really nice while we are there.....

I will put some routes together that make sense, by that i mean routes that do not repeat them selves....

Do you have a GPS if so PM me your email addy and i will send them to you.

R

 

[SkooterG]

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Started to consider a 'surprise' visit out there with you fools, and then remembered I have dog-sitting duties during that time.

Damn! Damn! Damn!

 

[exskibum]

Still on the fence here about making it for one day's ride of your adventure. Post up the starting times and places and there's a good chance I'll make one day.

Or don't post that info and I'll get the message. :****:

 

[Fairlaner]

haha you are funny.....

i am thinking Tuesday we will visit Yosemite as it is the longest day and the park is free that day, Wednesday we will go across either 4 or 88 and back across 108 into Sonora.

Thursday I have to head up 49 to Placerville to pick a memorial and then across 50 to carson City.

Suggestions on a meet for wednesday maybe?

R

 

[exskibum]

Wednesday we will go across either 4 or 88 and back across 108 into Sonora.* * * *

Suggestions on a meet for wednesday maybe?

Hmmm . . . Wednesday plan has my favorite passes on it (Sonora, Monitor and Ebbets) and that loop is equally excellent either clockwise or counterclockwise. Seems like I've done that a few times in which we met at the Chevron in Jamestown (just west of Sonora) for a 9 am KSU since we norcal riders have been coming from various home locations (a couple hours for me) for a day ride. But since you're staying in Sonora (Days Inn downtown, right?), I can't think of a reason not to meet there with a reasonable KSU time and start by going east on Sonora pass (108). Eat lunch in Walker or a little later in Markleeville?

EDIT --- just reread your post re: 88 or 4 as first leg. I'd suggest 4 as the mo better, mo funner ride than 88 (not that it sucks, but maybe I've just ridden and driven 88 way too many times all times of year and it's not as challenging or quirky as 4). Pick yer poison and loop rotation and whether you want to meet in Sonora, Jackson or Angels Camp. If Jackson -- suggest Mels Diner at 31 Hwy. 49 on west side of 49 a block north of where 88 tees into 49 from the east. If Angels Camp -- there's a Chevron station at 686 Main St. and a Shell station at 714 Main St. (right next to one another on the west side of Hwy 49, which is Main Street) -- either works for me.

 

[Fairlaner]

I spoke with Tom earlier and Wednesday we are gonna meet at the Chevron in Murphys....Then do Ebbets, Monitor, 395 and Sonora (clockwise).....

How about 9am in Murphy's?

R

 

[exskibum]

I spoke with Tom earlier and Wednesday we are gonna meet at the Chevron in Murphys....Then do Ebbets, Monitor, 395 and Sonora (clockwise).....

How about 9am in Murphy's?

Dat works. I see it on street view -- a ways east of the Shell and on the south side of Hwy 4. See ya there at 9 am Wednesday. If you've got your GMRS radio, I'm bringing the FJR. If not, the Blackbird is a possibility, depending on how I feel.

 

[Fairlaner]

PM me your e-mail i will send you the route....blackbird is NO FAIR......if you bring that i will bring the wing :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

 

[exskibum]

PM me your e-mail i will send you the route....blackbird is NO FAIR......if you bring that i will bring the wing :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

OK -- FJR it is. It's got new rubber on it anyway.

I have a glitch right now in receiving e-mails on the computer that has MapSource (laptop I seldom use with failing router I need to replace), but thanks for the route offer. There's no real need to send it to me anyway -- I won't be relying on my GPS for anything but to periodically check elevations. I used to live in Tahoe (north and south), and in Gardnerville, NV (with an ex-GF who is still the outreach nurse for Alpine County in Markleeville), so I've got lots of reps on those loops.

I take it that we'll refuel in Topaz (bigger station on north end of lake on 395) or in Walker at the little store north of the eating places there?

This is one of my favorite routes anywhere! :yahoo:

 

[russperry]

PM me your e-mail i will send you the route....blackbird is NO FAIR......if you bring that i will bring the wing :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

Does that mean I can't bring the FZ1? :blink:

 

[Fairlaner]

you can but i thought you might wanna keep up......... :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

 

[russperry]

you can but i thought you might wanna keep up......... :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

Somewhere I remember reading a story about you and fjronamission doing some crazy racing at WFO so I've got no illusions. I'm nothing more than an average rider so I think you'd leave me behind if you were on a Sportster and I was on Rossi's factory Ducati.

:yahoo:

So what I think I'm hearing is:

Tuesday - down to Yosemite by some way, into the valley and hopefully up to Tioga Pass if 120's open, then return somehow

Wednesday - meet in Murphy's at 9:00, then Ebbets, Monitor, 395 and Sonora (clockwise)..

Thursday - for you its up to 50, then east to Carson City. I'm thinking of heading up to 50, then working back towards Bay Area. I remember a route that puppychow suggested for Wheaties last day. It included a stretch of roads running north from Angels Camp up above highway 49 that's a lot windier (is that a word?) that connects with 50 in Placerville. Here's a link to the portion of that route, modified for starting in Sonora. The route I saved here also shows a few roads after Placerville including Mosquito Road which is supposedly a "must do".

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203897504107495728991.0004a5a5396634e5347ff&ll=38.712304,-120.771332&spn=0.553999,1.352692&t=h&z=10

 

[TomInPA]

See you in Murphy's. If anyone has an extra radio that would be great. I do have a headset to use it, but was unable to reprogram the TK-3302 in time. I don't have the right software. Autocom is on the way but also will not arrive in time.

 

[motojeff312]

While you are there, check out the oldest mx race in North America. The Mammoth Mountain MX!. I'm racing the 50 amatuer class on the mighty 312 KTM. Best track in the country and a blast to attend.

 

[Fairlaner]

looks like the road to Glacier point opened on the 27th.....ye ha.

R

 

[TomInPA]

Richard, you're in luck. Here's the goods:LINK

Yosemite News Release

June 15, 2011

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:

Scott Gediman 209-372-0248

Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Tioga Road to Open in Yosemite National Park

Visitors urged to take safety precautions while traveling on road

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. for all vehicle traffic. The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by State Highway 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada.

Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road.

There are several no-stopping zones along the road, which are clearly marked with road signs.

Due to the heavy snowpack this past winter (199% of normal) and a cool spring, there is still several feet of snow in the Tuolumne Meadows area.

Hiking opportunities are extremely limited and visitors are urged to use extreme caution in the area. Additionally, ice is prevalent throughout the area and stream crossings are treacherous.

All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed. All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed.

There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time.

Crews clear the road at Tioga.