Stanislaus - Kings Canyon - Sequoia - Mammoth

This ride encompassed a breathtaking tour of the East and West faces of the Sierra's with towering peaks and deep, narrow, twisting canyons. Our trip lasted 8 days and 7 nights. We stayed at Best Westerns along the way and were very satisfied with accommodations.We began our trip over Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) elevation 9,628 ft. We stopped at the Strawberry Inn for a late lunch - a welcoming place. We arrived in Angels Camp in the evening.On the first day (Saturday) my husband's bike got a flat tire. We quickly learned that small towns are closed on weekends and often Mondays and Tuesdays! We were finally able to get the motorcycle towed on Monday afternoon (no small expense I assure you) to a bike shop for a new tube. We were delayed by two days.Once we got the trip started again we explored the gold mining settlements heading South along a winding and hilly Highway 49. Very fun highway no matter where you begin or end on 49. We stayed in Mariposa, the gateway to Yosemite.Kings Canyon National Park was really a treasure that resembled Yosemite in many ways, minus the crowds and traffic. We entered the park on Highway 180. We stayed in a cute rustic cabin at Grant Grove Village. The next day we rode down into the canyon on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. Unbelievably beautiful! We purchased gas at the Kings Canyon Lodge from America's oldest working double gravity gas pumps. This bit of nostalgia cost us a whopping $6.00 per gallon!We continued into to Sequoia National Park over Highway 198. Unfortunately this highway was being re-surfaced and bridges were being rebuilt. Traffic was down to one lane on fresh gravel - following a pilot car most of the way. A big disappointment! In the interest of safety we bypassed the General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest to get off the mountain before dark. We intend to go back next summer or when construction is completed. Highway 198 through Sequoia is for EXPERIENCED RIDERS ONLY. NOTE: There were about 30 hairpin turns at less than 10 m.p.h. and very steep grades!A short tour of the orange, lemon and olive groves of Southern California added lots of interest to someone who comes from a state (Nevada) who doesn't grow any citrus produce. Do this part of the trip in the early a.m. as it gets hot!We headed east on Highway 178 passing Lake Isabella back onto Highway 395. Also hot here! Continuing North through the lovely Owens Valley to Lone Pine. I fell in love with this little frontier town at first sight. Be sure to visit the Film History Museum. Hundreds of old western and modern movies have been filmed in this area due to it's scenic qualities and proximity to Hollywood.Our last day was spent at Mammoth Lakes. I wish we had more time to explore here as there was many things to do and see. We will certainly come back. Be sure to take the tour bus ride ($7.00 per person) down to see the Devils Postpile National Monument.Take the June Lakes loop for some more beautiful scenery. Make the time to visit Bodie, however it is a 12 mile detour to the town and 7 of the miles are dirt road. We didn't have time to stop on this trip.I think we'll do this trip again next year only in reverse so we see the things first that we missed this year and I would extend the trip to 10 or 12 days. I'd rate this ride a 10! Ride On!

This is a motorcycle ride in the states California, Nevada. This motorcycle route has 8 scenery characteristics and other road conditions to help you plan your road trip. This motorcycle map was created by chawks in September. Click here to see other Motorcycle Roads by chawks