The Sierra Edition: High Passes

The “Sierra Nevada” edition of the TGPCHPCMY2KMR is based in Cameron Park, California and consists of 5 daily loops through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, starting and ending each day in Cameron Park. This edition is normally alternated with the Northern edition on even numbered years: 2008, 2012, 2014. The itinerary for this edition is below.

We will fine tune the itinerary as the ride gets closer. Please check back in late 2021 for a link to register for the ride so that I can keep you updated on the latest. And please sign the waiver.

Ride Bulletins:

People must make their own reservations for the motel and for a campground. We suggest you do it two or three months prior to the ride, or sooner, to insure that accommodations are available. Links to everything close to Placerville can be found on the Itinerary page.
We will have get-together dinners every night of the ride and lunches as feasible; see the dinner signup sheet on this web site for details – please signup so we can tell the restaurants what to expect.
We will try to get a group photograph of as many of the riders and their bikes as possible on Monday morning along the way. We need to leave at 8:30AM sharp because Monday is a long day.
TBD
TBD
TBD

Itinerary:

September [TBD] (Saturday and Sunday): Gather in Cameron Park

Suggested Motel: Quality Inn in Cameron Park (shown on the map as “Best Western Cameron Park Inn”). Quality Inns web site is: www.qualityinn.com Email address for the Cameron Park unit is: qualityinn958 at gmail dot com Be sure to mention that you are part of the Pacific Coast Motorcycle Group when you make your reservations. The group rate is $77.00. Direct phone number is 530 677-2203.
Gather for dinner at 7PM on Saturday at Original Mel’s Diner in Placerville
Gather for dinner at 7PM on Sunday at Que Viva Restaurant in Cameron Park (walk from the motel)
Featured Side Ride: Marshall Grade, Wentworth Springs Road, French Meadows Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Old Foresthill Road, CA49, Lotus Road, Green Valley Road, Cameron Park Drive – to map and details 5 hours, 156 miles, 1000 to 1500 corners, depart 9:30AM Sunday
Suggested side ride #2: One hour loop (Lotus Road, Marshall Grade Road, CA193, CA49, Lotus Road)
Suggested side ride #3: Green Valley to Salmon Falls, back on 49
Suggested side ride #4: South Shingle to Latrobe to Salmon Falls, to Green Valley, back to Cameron Park

The motel is shown above as “Best Western Cameron Park Inn”. It is now Quality Inn, Cameron Park and is no longer associated with Best Western.
Link to Quality Inns

Up is north on this map. Coming up US50 from the west or the east, take Cameron Park Drive Exit.
From the west, turn right at the bottom of the off ramp (not on red though…). At the next light (Coach Lane), turn right again. About 200 yards down the street, on the right, is the motel.
From the east, turn left at the bottom of the off ramp. Go under the freeway through the light at the off ramp to the light at Coach Lane. Turn right and about 200 yards down the street, on the right, is the motel.

**Be careful of the driveway. There is a sharp transition there. Take it easy and try to hit it as close to a right angle as possible. I don’t want to see anyone go down on that transition.**

As you can see from the map note, there are 3 filling stations at the corner of Coach Lane and Cameron Park Drive.

There are also a number of restaurants in the immediate area including Applebee’s, Que Viva (excellent Mexican Restaurant), Denny’s, Sizzler, VIP Buffet (Chinese), Mongolian BarBQue.

There are also several fast food places: McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Carl’s Junior, Jim Boy’s Tacos and a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the other side of the freeway. There is a Baskin & Robbins (ice cream) associated with a Togo’s Sandwich shop and a Round Table Pizza.

There is a Safeway (supermarket) which is open 24 hours across the street from the Motel.

The official name and address is: Quality Inn & Suites, 3361 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, CA 95682. Phone is 530 677-2203. Fax is 530 676-1422.

Wentworth Springs – Mosquito Ridge Side Ride.

*Get on US50 East bound; get off at the next exit (Exit 37); left at the light at the end of the off ramp, right on North Shingle Road on the other side of the freeway.*

Continue on North Shingle Road to Green Valley, Lotus Road interchange.

Continue north on Lotus Road to junction with CA49 (stop sign). Turn left on CA49, cross American River and go to next stop sign. Turn right on Marshall Grade Road and continue on through Garden Valley. Marshall Grade Road takes a sharp left at the end of the main street in Garden Valley. Continue on Marshall Grade Road through a lovely set of twisties to the stop sign in Georgetown.

Turn right at that stop sign, go to the next stop sign (100 feet) and continue on through it. You are now on the Georgetown main street which is also Wentworth Springs Road.

Continue on Wentworth Springs, past Stumpy Meadows Reservoir, to the junction with Forest Service Road 2. The sign points to French Meadows Reservoir to the left. Turn left at that point.

Continue on this Forest Service road, following the signs for French Meadows Reservoir. Portions of this road get very narrow and very rough. Almost as bad, in spots, as the Lost Coast route but not quite. And it is VERY winding. The corners are not marked at all so be CAREFUL; they can sneak up on you.

Upon reaching French Meadows Reservoir, we will stop for a butt break.

When we leave French Meadows Reservoir, we will cross the dam and be on Mosquito Ridge Road at that point. We will continue on Mosquito Ridge Road back to Foresthill. At the stop sign in Foresthill, turn left onto Foresthill Road.

Continue on Foresthill Road. If you reach the Foresthill high bridge, you have gone too far. The turnoff onto Old Foresthill Road sneaks up on you. Turn left onto Old Foresthill Road. It is marked and there is a left turn lane but I missed it today as I was approaching it. Had to make a U turn and come back.

At the bottom of Old Foresthill Road, you cross the American River on a bridge. Just beyond it is a turn to the left onto another bridge; that is CA49. Turn left onto CA49.

After climbing out of the American River Canyon on CA49, we will go through the town of Cool. Don’t ask. I have no idea how it was named. 🙂

There is a stop sign in Cool. Continue straight on through it. 12 miles later, or so, we will encounter the same stop sign at Marshall Grade Road that we went through on the way out. Continue straight through that one too, cross the river and at the next stop sign, turn right. You are now on Lotus Road, heading back for US50 and the motel.

Go back through the Lotus Road, Green Valley Road interchange (the road swings to the right). After crossing a small bridge, the road turns left. At that point you are on North Shingle Road. Four miles down the road, you will reach a stoplight. Turn left there and immediately swing to the right to get onto the US50 westbound on ramp. The next exit is Cameron Park Drive and that is where we get off to return to the motel.

September 8th (Monday): Gather at Lake Don Pedro for group and bike photos.

Leave Cameron Park, CA 8:30 AM – to Day 1 map and details
Get on US50 East, go to the junction with CA49 in Placerville
Head south (right) on CA 49, through several Mother Lode towns including Sonora and Chinese Camp.
At Chinese Camp, turn left onto California Highway 120 toward Yosemite National Park
At the Lake Don Pedro vista point, gather the bikes and people for a photo.
Gas stop at Big Oak Flat.
Proceed east through Yosemite and Tioga Pass to Lee Vining, Mono Lake and the junction with US395.
Lunch at the Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining
Turn north on US395
Gas stop in Walker.
Stay on US395 until CA89.
Over Monitor Pass, north thru Markleeville
West on 88 at Woodfords, over Carson Pass, turn right on Mormon Emigrant Trail
Continue on Mormon Emigrant Trail to the junction with Sly Park Road. Turn right on Sly Park Road to US50
Take US50 west to Cameron Park.
Arrive Cameron Park, CA between 6 and 7PM.
Enjoy the scenery
Distance: 388 miles (9-10 hours*)
Gather for dinner at 7PM at, Applebee’s, 3281 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, (530) 677-8677 (walk from the motel)

Leave the motel at 8:30AM sharp. Get on US 50 heading east. Exit to take CA49 south.

Up over the hill leaving Placerville. South to Diamond Springs where there is a light and a right turn. On through El Dorado where there is a stop sign and a left turn.

Continue south through Plymouth to the junction with CA16. Turn left onto CA49 and continue on through Drytown. This map and the next make it appear that we go through Amador City and Sutter Creek but, unfortunately, CA49 now bypasses both. Just follow the signs for CA49.

Continue south on CA49 (bypassing Sutter Creek) and into Martell. In Martell, you go through the first stop light (at Ridge Road) and continue until you come to a stoplight and the junction with CA88. CA49 goes left with 88 at this point so turn left: The road shortly swings to the right and downhill into the town of Jackson.

Stay on CA49 south, continuing past the junction where 88 turns off in Jackson. Continue on through Mokelumne Hill, San Andreas and into Angels Camp.

Continue on CA49 through Angel’s Camp, Tuttletown and on into Sonora. On main street in Sonora, you will come to a stoplight where CA49 turns to the right. Turn right and continue on CA49. After a couple of miles, on the edge of Sonora, CA49 joins CA108. You will be turning right at this point. Go through Jamestown. Just west of Jamestown, CA49 turns south (left) again.

Continue south on CA49 through Chinese Camp to the junction with CA120. There is a stop sign at this point. Turn left onto CA120/49. Watch out here; traffic coming from both directions will be traveling at warp speed. Continue on south on CA120/49 until you see Lake Don Pedro on your left. There is a vista point along here where we will be stopping for our Monday morning photo of bikes and people. If you are the first to arrive, please pull in and wait. If you aren’t you should see the gathering on your left.

After this photo op/butt break, we will be continuing on CA120. CA49 turns off at Moccasin but we will continue left, staying on CA120. Up the hill through a marvelous 5 mile highly twisty section of road.

We will continue on CA120 through Big Oak Flat, through Groveland and on into Yosemite. If you do NOT have a national parks pass, they will sock you about $10 at the entrance to Yosemite. After clearing the entrance to Yosemite, continue on through Yosemite to Crane Flat. At this point, CA120 turns left toward Tioga Pass and Lee Vining and US395. Immediately after turning left onto CA120, we will turn right into the gas station and fill our bike’s tanks. Perhaps drain other tanks as well.

We will enjoy a leisurely pace through Yosemite due to the 45 mile per speed limit. 50 to 55 is OK but you have to watch out for Park Rangers; they patrol this road fairly heavily. Our next stop will be at Olmsted Point for a view of Half Dome from “the other side”. This is looking toward the SW and the normal view of Half Dome is looking straight east from Valley View or ENE from Glacier Point.

After we leave Olmsted Point, we will ride past a beautiful little lake (Tenaya) and out of Yosemite right at the top of the pass; that is, the eastern gate to Yosemite is the top of Tioga Pass at 9945 feet. Then we will drop down a little over 3000 feet over the next 12 miles to the junction with US395, Lee Vining and the Whoa Nellie Deli, our lunch stop:

Just before reaching the junction there is a gas station on the right called Tioga Gas Mart. In the store that is attached to the gas station is the Whoa Nellie Deli. It is run by Matt Toomey, a 4 star chef who moved his operation from the upscale ski resort of Mammoth Lakes to this location. Ever eat 4 star food in a gas station? You will here… Try the lobster tacquitos or the buffalo meatloaf. They are to die for.

After lunch, we will turn north on US395, go through Lee Vining and head north. Past Mono Lake. Past the turn off to Bodie, largest ghost town in the country and a fascinating place, through Bridgeport, past Sonora Junction, through Walker Canyon and then the town of Walker, past a couple more even littler towns to the junction with CA89. Here we will turn left (west) and head up over Monitor Pass. From this point to the junction with CA4 on the other side of the mountain has been proclaimed the best motorcycle road in northern California by the authors of Destination Highways. You be the judge. It IS VERY good.

After crossing over Monitor Pass, you will come to a stop sign and the junction with CA4. Markleeville, our next gas stop is to the right. Turn right, cruise a few miles into the tiny town of Markleeville with its one gas pump. Don’t worry, if you get impatient, there is another gas pump a few miles ahead. Place called Sierra Pines, I think. It’s on the left just before we reach Woodfords.

When we reach Woodfords, there will be a stop sign at the junction with CA88. Turn left there and head for Carson Pass on CA88.

All of the last three turns and the gas stop mentioned above are included in the next map: Onto 395, onto 89, Markleeville, onto 88.

We have now left Woodfords and are heading west on CA88/89. A few miles ahead, we lose CA89 as it turns off toward Lake Tahoe. We do NOT turn but continue straight for Carson Pass on CA88. We climb over Carson Pass, head past a beautiful little lake called Caples, past Kirkwood ski resort, past Silver Lake to the junction with Mormon Emigrant Trail. We turn right onto Mormon Emigrant Trail.

We continue on Mormon Emigrant Trail (note the lack of traffic on this lovely road). It is a forest service road open only in the non-snowy months of the year.

About 29 miles down the road, we come to lovely Jenkinson Lake and a stop sign at County Road E16. We turn right here and head back out to US50. We cross under the freeway and take a left onto the west bound ramp to US50. Continue on through Placerville to Cameron Park. Exit at Cameron Park drive, left under the freeway and right at the light on Coach Lane. Continue on to the motel.

September [TBD] (Tuesday): Leave Cameron Park, CA 9:00 AM

US50 east to the next exit. Cross the freeway and turn right on North Shingle Road. Continue on N. Shingle, Green Valley and Lotus Roads
Head north (left)on CA 49
Proceed north through Auburn and Grass Valley, Nevada City, Downieville to Vinton and the end of CA49.
Lunch at Downieville at Two Rivers Cafe
At Vinton, turn right onto CA70
Gas at the junction with CA70/US395 – Shell station just beyond the 395 overpass.
At the junction with US395, turn south on US395
Continue on down US395 through Reno.
At the exit for NV431 (Mount Rose Highway), depart US395.
From there we will take NV431 to NV28. Left on NV28 to US50, right on US50.
We will skirt the eastern and southern shores of Lake Tahoe
Pass through Stateline, the casino area at South Lake Tahoe.
Proceed west on US50, taking the right lane past the Ag Inspection Station; we are “returnees” from the Placerville area and, as such, exempt (unless the signs direct otherwise… (Do not bring any fruit with you when leaving Placerville or when coming back into California)
Continue west on US50, over Echo Summit, past Twin Bridges, through Kyburz and Pollock Pines to Camino.
Exit US50 at Exit 54. Turn right onto Carson Road and continue on around to the left to our dinner stop for the day.
After dinner, we will continue west on Carson Road until it rejoins US50.
Exit US50 at Cameron Park Drive, turn left under the freeway and right at Coach Lane go get back to the motel.
Distance: 321 miles (8-9 hours*)
Gather for dinner at 7PM at Forester Pub and Grill in Camino, CA. (We will stop on our way back at this location.)

Get onto US50 East at Cameron Park Drive. Take the next exit off onto Ponderosa Road. At the light at the end of the off ramp, turn left and cross over US50. At the second light (the first and second are very close together) on the other side of US50, turn right onto North Shingle Road.

Continue north on North Shingle Road for 4 miles. At that point, the road changes names to Green Valley Road. About a half mile after becoming Green Valley, the road turns left and becomes Lotus Road.

Continue north for about 9 miles through one stop sign to a T-joint and stop sign at CA49. Turn left on CA49.

Continue north through Pilot Hill and Cool. Descend into the American River Canyon to the stop sign on the north end of the bridge. Turn left and head up the hill into Auburn. In Auburn, there is a stop light at the top of the hill. Go straight through it. The road swings to the left and there is another stop light at Elm Avenue. Turn right on Elm. Cross over the freeway (I80), to the fourth light. The fourth light is CA49; turn right (there is a Foster’s Freeze restaurant across the street when you get to the correct intersection. All four lights are fairly close to each other.

Continue north on CA49 through Grass Valley and into Nevada City. As we approach Nevada City, the road becomes a freeway. Shortly after that, CA20 joins 49 so for a few miles it is CA20 and CA49. Toward the northern end of Nevada City, the road becomes a divided 4 lane highway. We turn left at the sign for CA49.

Stay on CA49 north. We will stop for a butt and potty break at the Sierra Super Stop station and store in North San Juan. Watch out for this one because it sneaks up on you on the right as you come into North San Juan. After this stop we continue on to Downieville where we will stop at The Gallows Cafe for lunch. After lunch, we continue on through Downieville, turning right and crossing the river on a one lane bridge. Watch out for oncoming traffic here. We continue on through Sierra City and Sierraville. Before reaching Sierraville, CA49 joins with CA89. At Sierraville, CA89 turns off to the right but we continue on CA49.

Continue north on CA49 to Loyalton. At Loyalton, we are at the 155 mile mark or so. There is a 2 pump station in Loyalton. You can also continue on to Vinton. At Vinton, CA49 ends and we turn right onto CA70. Down the road a couple of miles is a collection of homes and businesses; I think the name is Sierra Valley; there is also a station there. And again, a couple of miles farther at the junction of CA70 and US395, is a Shell station on the east side of 395. All of these are in reach for a PC but all of them are California stations. For the daring, after we turn right onto US395, we come to Bordertown and the gas prices are quite a bit lower as the town is in Nevada. Bordertown is at approximately 180 miles. (My recommendation would be the Shell station at US395 and CA70; that is just about the half way point – 165 miles. If you fill up much before that spot, you will have to fill up again before getting back to Cameron Park.) The map segment below shows the end of CA49, the turn onto CA70 and the turn onto US395.

We will continue on US395 south through Reno. This stretch turns into a freeway as we approach Reno. South of Reno, we will be watching for NV431, the Mount Rose Highway. We will turn off US395 onto NV431 south at that point.

We will continue south on Mount Rose Highway. As we reach the summit, there are a couple of spectacular overlooks toward Lake Tahoe. Definite photo ops. We will continue on NV431 to Incline Village and the junction with NV28. We will turn left on NV 28 and skirt the east shore of Lake Tahoe.

There are a couple of spectacular overlooks of Lake Tahoe along NV28. After circling a portion of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, we will come to the junction with US50. Turn right (west) onto US50.

We will continue south and west along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe on US50. We will go through Stateline and the casino area on our way back into California. We will then skirt the southern shore of Lake Tahoe through the town of South Lake Tahoe. At the junction with CA89, US50 turns to the left.

We continue on US50 west, over Echo Summit, past Twin Bridges and through Kyburz and Pollock Pines to Camino. Our dinner stop for the day is in Camino at the Forester Pub and Grill. We will get off on exit 54 and turn right onto Carson Road. Follow Carson Road around to the left. The Forester Pub and Grill is on your left. It is about where the diamond shows in the map detail above but on the other side of the street.

After dinner, we continue west on Carson Road until it rejoins US50. We continue on US50 through through Placerville and on to Cameron Park and the motel.

The map segment above shows the start and finish of the days ride and the routes from and to the motel from US 50.

September 10th (Wednesday): Leave Cameron Park, CA 9:00 AM

Head east on US50
Ride to Lake Tahoe via Echo Summit
Be careful of the pullouts on the Echo Summit downgrade to Lake Tahoe. They are very short and will only hold a few bikes. There are several of them so if the first one is crowded, go on to the next. The road is narrow so do NOT spill out onto US50.
Proceed past Lake Tahoe into Nevada
Turn left on Nevada 28
Turn right on Nevada 431 (Mt. Rose Hwy) at Incline Village
At the foot of Mt. Rose Highway, stop for lunch at the shopping center at the light before US395; the street is Wedge Parkway
There are several fast food restaurants available at that center.
Cross US395 where the road becomes Nevada 341 (Geiger Grade Road)
Stop at Virginia City to sight see.
Continue on through Virginia City to the junction with US50. Turn right (west) toward Carson City.
Just before Carson City, stop for gas.
In Carson City, turn south on US395.
Turn right on Jack’s Valley Road in Carson City and continue on to Genoa, Walley Hot Springs
After Genoa, Jack’s Valley Road has another name and it is Nevada 206.
Return via Woodfords, CA88, Mormon Emigrant Trail, Sly Park Road and US50 to Cameron Park
Distance: 266 miles (6-8 hours*)
Gather for dinner at 7PM at the Zac Jack’s Bistro at the end of Coach Lane (behind Applebee’s)(walk/short ride from the motel).

Leave the motel at 9AM. Head east on US50. Through Placerville, Pollock Pines, Kyburz, over Echo Summit to Lake Tahoe. Spectacular views up here but be VERY careful of the turn outs. They are very small. Only enough room for 2 or 3 bikes. There are several of them so if one is full, continue on to the next one. BE SURE to pull clear off the road. The road is narrow and I don’t want anyone to get clipped by the traffic going by.

After viewing Lake Tahoe, continue on US50 into the town of South Lake Tahoe. At the junction of US50 and CA89, turn right on US50.

Ride past the lake, past stateline and the casinos and into Nevada. Continue on US50 around the east side of the lake to the junction with NV28. As shown in the map below, turn left onto NV28. Watch the oncoming traffic on this intersection.

Continue on around the east side of the lake, through Incline Village to the junction with Mt. Rose Highway, NV431. Turn right on NV431.

There is a great overlook on up this highway a few miles. Plenty of parking space and gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. After the viewing, continue on down the east side of Mt. Rose to the stoplight at Wedge Parkway. Turn left into the shopping center there and stop for lunch. There are several fast food and other restaurants available.

After lunch get back on NV431 by turning left at the stoplight at Wedge Parkway. About a mile down the road is the junction with US395. We cross under it at which point, the road becomes NV341. Continue on NV341 (Geiger Grade Road) toward Virginia City.

In Virginia City, we will stop for about an hour for sightseeing, shopping, etc. After leaving Virginia City, we will veer right onto NV342 at the outskirts of town. This will lead us through Silver City and will rejoin NV341 a couple miles down the road. Continue on NV341 to the junction with US50. Turn right (west) on US50 and head for Carson City, NV. At Carson City, we will stop for gas.

After filling up, we will continue west on US50 to the junction with US395 in Carson City. Turn left onto US395/US50. Just beyond the junction with US50, we will turn right onto Jacks Valley Road, NV206. The

We will continue on NV206 through Genoa (first settlement in Nevada), past Walley Hot Springs to the junction with NV88. We will turn right onto NV88 and continue on back into California. At the border, NV88 becomes CA88.

We will continue on through Woodfords, through Hope Valley, over Carson Pass, past Caples Lake and Silver Lake to the junction with Mormon Emigrant Trail.

We will turn right onto Mormon Emigrant Trail and continue to the stop sign at Sly Park Road/County Road E16.

We will turn right onto Sly Park Road/E16 and head back out to US50. We will turn left onto the US50 west bound on ramp and continue on through Pollock Pines, Camino, Placerville and into Cameron Park and back to the motel.

September [TBD] (Thursday): Leave Cameron Park, CA 9:00AM

Head east on US50 to Pollock Pines and the Sly Park Exit; turn right on Sly Park Road to the junction with Mormon Emigrant Trail
Turn left onto Mormon Emigrant Trail and continue on to the junction with CA88. Turn left on CA88.
We will take CA88 to CA89, go over Monitor Pass to US395.
Turn right (south) on US395, heading for Walker where we will stop for gas and lunch at Walker Burger.
After lunch, we will head for Sonora Pass and the town of Sonora beyond.
After leaving Sonora, we will cross the high bridge on the New Melones Reservoir and head for Angel’s Camp.
We will go through Angel’s Camp, San Andreas, Mokelumne Hill and into Jackson.
We will continue on CA49 to Placerville to the junction with US50. Turn west on US50 to Cameron Park and to the motel.
Distance: 306 miles (6-7 hours*)
Gather for dinner at 7PM at Papa Gianni’s Ristorante, Cameron Park (walk/short ride from the motel)

Head east on US50. We will go through Placerville, Camino and into Pollock Pines. In Pollock Pines, we will take the Sly Park Road exit. At the bottom of the off ramp is a stop sign. Turn right onto E16/Sly Park Road. Stay on E16 until the sign for Mormon Emigrant Trail appears on the far side of Jenkinson Lake. Turn left (east) onto Mormon Emigrant Trail.

Continue on Mormon Emigrant Trail until the junction with CA88, about 30 miles up the road. Turn left onto CA88 and head up the hill. Go Past Silver Lake, Kit Carson, Kirkwood Ski Area and beautiful Caples Lake.

Continue on CA88 over Carson Pass, past Red Lake, past the junction with CA89 to Woodfords. At Woodfords, turn right (south) on CA89 heading for Markleeville. The map below shows a gas stop at Markleeville but that is from Monday’s ride; we will NOT be stopping for gas there today. At the junction of CA89 and CA4, turn left (east) on CA89 headed for Monitor Pass. Ride over Monitor Pass to the junction with US395. Turn right (south) on US395 headed for Walker. In Walker, we will stop for lunch at Walker Burger and will get gas before continuing on.

Continuing south from Walker on US395, we will go to Sonora Junction, the junction of US395 and CA108.
We will turn right (west) onto CA108 and head for Sonora Pass.

After crossing over Sonora Pass, we will head downhill passing through Long Barn, Mi-Wuk Village and Twain-Harte into the town of Sonora.

We will stay on Business 108 (Mono Way), bypassing the bypass. The old portion of Washington Street in Sonora is worth the price of admission: heavy traffic. About half way through town on Washington Street, we intersect CA49. It continues on north with us on Washington Street.

We will continue on CA49 north out of Sonora. We pass the turnoff for Columbia State Park, continuing on CA49 through Angel’s Camp. We stay on CA49 all the way back to Placerville, passing through San Andreas, Mokelumne Hill and Jackson. In Jackson, we join with CA88. CA49 turns north separating from CA88 at the north end of Jackson, approaching Martell. The map shows us going through Sutter Creek and Amador City but CA49 now bypasses both towns, unfortunately.

We will continue north on CA49. Just past Drytown, CA49 turns to the right, towards )Plymouth.

After going through Plymouth we get back into the twisties for a bit on the way to El Dorado. In El Dorado, we hit a stop sign and CA49 turns to the right. In Diamond Springs, CA49 turns left heading for Placerville.

After coming down the steep hill into Placerville, CA49 goes left at the stoplight at Pacific Street. The next light is Main Street and we turn left there. We swing around to the right and a light at US50. We turn left (west) onto US50 and continue on to Cameron Park and the motel.

September 12th (Friday): Leave Cameron Park, CA 9:00AM

Head east on US50 to the next exit. Take Mother Lode Drive (straight through the light at the end of the off ramp) to Pleasant Valley Road.
Take the right side of the fork at Pleasant Valley Road and go to the stop sign in El Dorado (at Poor Red’s) and the junction with CA 49.
Head south (right) on CA49 to Angels Camp
Turn left on CA4 and cross over Ebbetts Pass; caution this road is one wide lane near the top.
Proceed to the junction with CA89.
Turn right on CA89 over Monitor Pass.
Lunch at Walker Burger
Proceed north on US395 to CA89, back over Monitor Pass
Turn right (north) at junction with CA4, go through Markleeville to Woodfords
Turn left at Woodfords on CA89/CA88.
Continue on CA88 over Carson Pass
Stay on CA88 all the way to Jackson
Turn north on CA49 at Jackson and proceed to Placerville and the junction with US50.
Head west on US50 to Cameron Park and the Motel.
Distance: 314 miles.
Gather for dinner at 7PM at Que Viva Restaurant (walk from the motel)

Head east on US50 to the next exit (Exit 37). At the end of the off ramp, continue straight ahead onto Mother Lode Drive.

At the Y with Pleasant Valley Road, veer right onto Pleasant Valley Road.

After veering onto Pleasant Valley Road, we will go through the town of El Dorado. At the stop sign, turn right onto CA49 south. The preceding map shows this interchange as well.

We continue on CA49 south through Plymouth to the junction with CA16. CA49 takes a left turn here as shown in the map below.

We continue south on CA49. The map below shows us going through Amador City and Sutter Creek but CA49 now bypasses both and rejoins at Ridge Road.

As shown in the above map, at Martell CA88 merges with CA49. There is a stoplight at the junction. We take a left at the stoplight onto CA49/88. We continue on through the town of Jackson on CA49. We continue on to Angels Camp where we will turn left onto CA4.

We continue on CA4 as it climbs toward Ebbetts Pass. We will stop at Bear Valley Resort for a butt and potty break.

After our break, we will continue on over Ebbetts Pass. Please exercise extreme caution in the upper sections of Ebbetts Pass as the road is a wide one lane road at that point. I have often encountered SUVs hogging the road up here so PLEASE be watchful.

At the bottom of Ebbetts Pass, we will encounter the junction with CA89. Turn right on CA89 and proceed up Monitor Pass.

(If you miss this turnoff, you will end up in Markleeville.) Just past the top of Monitor Pass is a spectacular overlook. We will stop there for photos and another butt break. The pullout for the overlook is through oncoming traffic so be careful as you cross the highway.

At the bottom of Monitor Pass, we come to a stop sign at the junction with US395 (CA89 ends here). Turn right (south) on US395 and proceed to Walker and Walker Burger where we will stop for lunch and gas.
After lunch and gas, we will head back the way we came, along US395 north. We will turn onto CA89 and retrace our steps over Monitor Pass. If you missed the overlook on the way down, you will have a chance to catch it on the way back.

When we reach the stop sign at the junction of CA4 and CA89, turn right and head for Markleeville. We will continue on through Markleeville to Woodfords and the junction with CA88.

At the stop sign at the junction of CA88 and CA89, turn left onto CA88. We will continue on CA88 past the junction with CA89 and head over Carson Pass, past Caples Lake and Silver Lake.

Instead of turning on Mormon Emigrant Trail, we will continue on CA88 all the way to Jackson. At the junction of CA88 and CA49, we will turn right onto CA49. We will retrace our steps, following CA49, through Martell, past Sutter Creek and Amador City, through Plymouth to El Dorado. At the stop sign in El Dorado, we will turn left onto Pleasant Valley Road and retrace our steps down Pleasant Valley Road. At the stop sign at Mother Lode Drive, we will turn left onto Mother Lode Drive. At the stoplight by the Exit 37 off ramp, we will turn right, cross the freeway and take the clover leaf onto US50 westbound.

We will go one mile and exit US50 and go to the motel.

September 13th and 14th (Saturday and Sunday):

Gather for dinner at 7PM on Saturday at Round Table Pizza, Cameron Park (walk from motel)
Featured Side Ride: Loon Lake via Lotus Road, Marshall Grade Road, Wentworth Springs Road, Ice House Road, back on US50.
Return home Sunday…

* – depending on how fast or how slow you take the curves.

What to expect on the ride…

In addition to a week of great motorcycling, wonderful camaraderie, a lot of nice people having a good time, lots of good food, lots of beautiful scenery, you can most likely expect the following during the ride:

Weather:

The weather will most likely vary from very hot in the low foothills (90F and up) to quite cool at 9,000 feet or better in the mountains (probably in the high 40s or low 50s) Layers will help a lot. This is generally a dry time of year in the western foothills but rain showers in the mountains or on the eastern slope are a definite possibility. Having some rain gear with you is a good idea.

Traffic:

The traffic is generally light except through urban areas. And in this case, the urban areas are very small (10,000 people or less).

Road Conditions:

There could be spots of construction along the way. No significant delays are expected.

The roads are very twisty and winding (yesssssss!!! – great for motorcycles!!). You need to bring your cornering skills with you and to take it easy if you think the road is getting to be too much for you. There is enough time to make our destinations at even at a slower pace. Don’t hurry! Take your time and enjoy! Above all, RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE. I can’t emphasize this strongly enough!

Motorcycle Dealers along the way:

This could be spotty. There will be dealers in Auburn, Carson City, Sonora, Jackson and that is probably about it for the routes we are taking. We will get into some fairly remote areas.

Questions:

If the preceding raises any questions, or if you have questions on anything else, please email me: Douglas Van Bossuyt