Yosemite Quick Trip

[TomInPA]

My daughter and son-in-law Chris are visiting from Hawaii, so what better excuse to take a day off and go for a ride. I was able to borrow Jamie's 2006 FJR after reassembling some rashed parts from a low-side, replacing coolant, oil and new PR-3 tires. The bike looked and ran great. Chris and I got off from Sacramento about 8:30 Wednesday morning in perfect weather. I set up Chris with my Shoei RF1000 with a Midland radio comm so we could talk. And in case you missed it, Jamie is a hell of a firend to lend his FJR so we could have a day riding.

A quick stop for fuel at the Folsom Costco for $3.99/gallon...it was $4.09 when we returned at about 8:00 PM.

Then we set out on Latrobe Road and took 49 to Jamestown where we picked up 108 and 120 on into Yosemite. We traveled at a semi-urgent pace and made good time. By 10:30 we were rolling through the park gates. My annual pass got us both in.

Weekdays in Yosemite are fun this time of year. The crowds are not there and not too many RVs to contend with. I don't recall seeing a single law enforcement ranger during our trip.

The Dogwoods are in bloom...I should have probably stopped to take a picture that was not a blur.

Lots of tunnels to pass through on the way in.

Photoshop makes the crowds at the Tunnel View overlook disappear

Without Photoshop, Chris doesn't look nearly as good, and his head shines. :lol:

Gratuitous post card shot that everyone takes from here. The Falls are still running well, but there is very little snow left in the high country.

After taking in the scenery we headed up to Glacier Point. Wheee!!

This is what we call a scenic road. Photo over the shoulder.

Viewing Bridalveil falls from above is spectacular.

Chris admiring his kinship with the Half-Dome

And across the Valley, Yosemite Falls is cranking away still.

More....

 

[TomInPA]

Another view of Half Dome

And the sense of elevation. What a place for a BASE jumper. See the diving board?

Back on the bikes, we take a quick trip up the Valley. I'd love to have a day to hang out, but the objective is one-day.

Anyone recognize the FJR stretch? The 2006 is equipped with a stock seat.

An unusual picture of me as we cross Tioga Pass. Half-Dome from Tioga in the background.

The comparison of the 2005 and 2006 blue...no wonder Gen II riders are so jealous.

No ice on Tenaya Lake

Near the Tioga Pass summit...very little snow

Even on the North-facing slopes

A fast downhill through the clouds of burning brake smoke from the tourists that don't down shift. The road drops from nearly 10K feet to 7000 feet in a few miles.

At the bottom is the aqua blue Mono Lake in the middle of a desert.

Dashing north along US395 the east face of the Sierra is rugged and beautiful.

We turned over Monitor Pass and enjoyed the nearly new tarmack and perfect curves. We enjoyed them so much, no one took pictures. We continued over Carson Pass where just a week ago Caples Lake was still frozen. No more

The view to Round Top and Sisters in the Mukolumne Wilderness is spectacular as any mountains in the Sierra.

Shadows getting longer as we pass Silver Lake on Hwy 88.

The gate to Mormon Emmigrant Trail is still closed. I'm sure it is passible, but we went down to Omo Ranch, and went through Sommerset and Bucks Bar Rd to Hwy 50. We got home at about 8:20, and mission accomplished.

Well, almost. Pizza and beer were consumed.

 

[jtr1174]

Very nice pics, I hope to ride that one day!

 

[Tyler]

You two covered a lot of ground, Tom! B) Glad you got out to enjoy those newly opened passes... we sure are lucky to those in our backyard, huh?

 

[CAJW]

Uh... apparently you don't know I have been known to sneak away mid-week to ride the Sierras. Call me next time you're in the area, but don't follow Old Michael's lead, give me more than 3 minutes notice. Nice RR btw, I chuckled at the dome references.

 

[Old Michael]

...Call me next time you're in the area,...

Yeah, Tom. Thanks for the feckin' INvite.

Good pics, old man. I'd argue about the better blue, though.

 

[FJRBandit]

Thanks for the great pics Tom! The wife and I will be doing a cage tour of the area, including Yosemite this coming Labor Day week. That just amped up my excitement level!

 

[HPTuner]

Thanks for the report & nice pics, Tom ! I, too, hope to ride that one day!

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

Absolutely stunning as I would have expected. What a heck of a day ride. Very jealous!!!!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Wow...great stuff Tom!

It looks like things will be pretty dry when my family and I are there in 3 weeks.

 

[Tanker]

Wow, that is an awesome "DAY" ride. I wish we had some mountains close by.

Thanks for another great RR Tom.

 

[Niehart]

Jealous, oh and thanks for taking us along Tom.

 

[TomInPA]

It was an awesome day to get out and ride. I really appreciate that I have a friend that gave me access to his FJR on a day he was working so I could have a FJR moment with Chris. Chris is more of a dirt and motocross rider but he was very impressed with the FJR. I think he will have a chance to try one of the older Ducati Multistrada units when he visits his dad next week in Santa Barbara.

After contemplating my fast and long-day riding style, Chris decided to pick up this aid

Chris was taking pictures and here are some from his perspective on the trip.

Alex's reflective decals really work in the tunnels

 

[monkin]

Breathtaking scenery..I thought California was full of smog and traffic..I stand corrected.

Thanks for the pics...Again..simply beautiful. New bucket list ride.

 

[user 28803]

Beautiful country! Thanks for the RR

 

[Fontanaman]

Breathtaking scenery..I thought California was full of smog and traffic..I stand corrected.

Thanks for the pics...Again..simply beautiful. New bucket list ride.

The motorcycling in California is simply the best riding in the in the Western US if not the world. Northern California is superb with motorist who more often than not move over when you motor up behind them. Roads are well maintained and often twisty.

I also like Utah for it's Red Rock, but for riding pure riding California is hard to beat. Right now it the very best time of the year to ride in California - summer heat has not arrived quite yet, and the days are long, the passes are open.

If you decide to ride in Cali get a copy of Destination Highway Northern California and the companion map - excellent resource for telling you which are simply the best roads to ride.

Great report Tom!

 

[TomInPA]

Breathtaking scenery..I thought California was full of smog and traffic..I stand corrected.

Thanks for the pics...Again..simply beautiful. New bucket list ride.

Most of California is undeveloped. If there is a problem, it is that we are keeping it that way at any cost.

 

[hppants]

That ride is on my Bucket List. I only pray I live long enough to check that one off. I am jealous beyond comprehension. Great pics.

 

[Ally House]

Great RR. I am envious that you can day trip it. It is a 2 day ride to get there, but it is SO worth it. Thanks for sharing!