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Need advice for a West Coast trip

Just guessing... But is it Hwy120, through Yosemite, that you're thinking of? It puts you right out to Mono Lake and into 395... Or are you referring to a less traveled road? The city you are referring to could be Fresno or Merced. Mono is very interesting lake... Also the ghost town Bodie is worth checking out, if over there.
 
FPD1089 said:
Just guessing... But is it Hwy120, through Yosemite, that you're thinking of? It puts you right out to Mono Lake and into 395... Or are you referring to a less traveled road? The city you are referring to could be Fresno or Merced. Mono is very interesting lake... Also the ghost town Bodie is worth checking out, if over there.
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It's been a while, but I figure it has to be east of Fresno. It wasn't Merced and it wasn't through Yo mite.

Tell you what, it's a great place to sit and look and ponder. I've never seen anything like it and the ultra light porous rock found there baffles the mind.

It's been over twenty years since I did the route but it was easily found on all maps, if you looked for it.
 
Ok, some updates.

Skipping the north west section of Washington because everyone says it sucks. Besides, it looks just like BC. :)

Taking the I5 to Longview then west to Astoria and south from there. First hotel will be in Newport. Day two will be only 300 miles to Eureka and whatever roads around that area we feel like hitting up.

Day 3 will be in Fremont with a friend. Not sure where I should stay around Yosemite though
 
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Recon Viper 1 said:
It's paved and it's on the maps and is the only road I know that crests near Mono. I remember it's Stanislaus County and I came up from an established central valley city (Fresno?) but I'd have to go over the maps again to be certain.

One thing you can count on. It's on the maps and it crests just south of Mono Lake and you don't want to miss Mono Lake if at all possible.

I couldn't pull it in 1st gear and had to lock in the hubs and go to lower granny box rations to make it but an automatic transmission might do it without any problems.

It's only the last mile or two but it is steep.

Paved all the way.
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I am looking at google maps and the only road I see that goes between fresno and Mono lake is the 120 through Yosemite. I have driven that road and don't remember anything super steep like you described, especially because it is such a well traveled road and in a national Park. Now I am super curious to know what road you traveled.

EDIT: I looked a bit further north and there is a smaller road called the 108, is that the one you took?


And I can second the side trip to Bodie, very cool and worth your time to go see, and that section of the world feels like another planet when you head out there, very different.
 
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Klurejr said:
I am looking at google maps and the only road I see that goes between fresno and Mono lake is the 120 through Yosemite. I have driven that road and don't remember anything super steep like you described, especially because it is such a well traveled road and in a national Park. Now I am super curious to know what road you traveled.

EDIT: I looked a bit further north and there is a smaller road called the 108, is that the one you took?


And I can second the side trip to Bodie, very cool and worth your time to go see, and that section of the world feels like another planet when you head out there, very different.
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108 crests north of mono- it comes out of manteca/modesto with 120 and then splits off to the north and then splits again to start 49 north and 108 east. It is VERY windy and pretty steep, so I'm pretty sure that's what Recon is referring to.

(I grew up on 49 north of there, I'm familiar with the 108 as we used it to get out to Mono).

I've never done 108 on a bike but I'll bet it would be a blast.
 
Dustin said:
Ok, some updates.

Skipping the north west section of Washington because everyone says it sucks. Besides, it looks just like BC. :)

Taking the I5 to Longview then west to Astoria and south from there. First hotel will be in Newport. Day two will be only 300 miles to Eureka and whatever roads around that area we feel like hitting up.

Day 3 will be in Fremont with a friend. Not sure where I should stay around Yosemite though
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Well... There are some good places outside Yosemite in a small city called Oakhurst, Ca... Not sure of that is way off the 120-108 route. My favorite is Tenaya Lodge (but a little more on the $$$ side). Also if you go to Mono and Bodie, there are good places to stay in (around) Bridgeport, Ca. There was a nice bed n breakfast that was very cool and popular with mc riders. Been a while since I've been there.
 
Going to Yellowstone and the redwood country are good suggestions, but let's not leave out the culinary aspect of the trip. To have some fun make a detour to Portland and visit one of the two VOODOO donut shops (also one in Eugene), preferably at night, to experience a business with a real cult following. Remember, "The magic is in the hole". The maple bar topped with bacon is very tasty.

Voodoo Doughnut - The Magic is in the Hole!!!
 
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Vacation was approved and am in the process of booking hotels. OneSizeFitsAll (Doug) has graciously offered me a place to stay in Northern Cali and will even give me a tour of the greatest roads around his neck of the woods

Fantastic! I'm going to keep things nice and light with short days and frequent stops for pictures. Even better if a friend can come along!

So here's the itinerary.

Day 1, June 11: Leave home in BC, bust south down the I5 to Longview, WA. Cut west to Astoria and cruise the coast to Newport where I will grab a hotel. 450 miles

Day 2, June 12: Newport to Eureka via the coast. I intend on waking up early and attempting to make decent time to Eureka (if possible). 315 miles

If I can, I wouldn't mind checking out this loop. Anyone done those roads before?

Day 3, June 13: Eureka to Fremont and some time to hang out with friends and stay the night there. 300 miles

Day 4, June 14: Hang out in Fremont with my pals!

Day 5, June 15: Fremont to Yosemite straight east via 120 to Lee Vining. Doug has offered to meet me there and show me a great route out to his place up in Peardale. 450 miles?

Day 6, June 16: Leave Peardale; no idea where we will go but I plan on ending up in Klamath Falls for the night. 400 miles?

Day 7, June 17: Again, not really sure where to go but possibly end up in Yakima. 400 miles?

Day 8, June 18: Go home via Leavenworth & the lovely highway 2 through the cascades. 300 miles

I will book the hotel stays when I get some more feedback from you guys :)
 
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OneSizeFitsAll said:
If you have time stay on CA89 and ride the west side of Lake Tahoe. Then continue on 89 up to 36 over to Susanville. This will keep you in the high country of the Sieria's instead of the desert of Reno.
I live 1 hour west of Tahoe and can help you with even better twisty routes, if interested send me a pm.
June is a busy time for me but perhaps I can get away to ride a bit with you and show off some great roads in the Sierra's.
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I would visit Lake Tahoe, great scenery and some twisties.
 
Dustin said:
Vacation was approved and am in the process of booking hotels. OneSizeFitsAll (Doug) has graciously offered me a place to stay in Northern Cali and will even give me a tour of the greatest roads around his neck of the woods

Fantastic! I'm going to keep things nice and light with short days and frequent stops for pictures. Even better if a friend can come along!

So here's the itinerary.

Day 1, June 11: Leave home in BC, bust south down the I5 to Longview, WA. Cut west to Astoria and cruise the coast to Newport where I will grab a hotel. 450 miles

Day 2, June 12: Newport to Eureka via the coast. I intend on waking up early and attempting to make decent time to Eureka (if possible). 315 miles

If I can, I wouldn't mind checking out this loop. Anyone done those roads before?

Day 3, June 13: Eureka to Fremont and some time to hang out with friends and stay the night there. 300 miles

Day 4, June 14: Hang out in Fremont with my pals!

Day 5, June 15: Fremont to Yosemite straight east via 120 to Lee Vining. Doug has offered to meet me there and show me a great route out to his place up in Peardale. 450 miles?

Day 6, June 16: Leave Peardale; no idea where we will go but I plan on ending up in Klamath Falls for the night. 400 miles?

Day 7, June 17: Again, not really sure where to go but possibly end up in Yakima. 400 miles?

Day 8, June 18: Go home via Leavenworth & the lovely highway 2 through the cascades. 300 miles

I will book the hotel stays when I get some more feedback from you guys :)
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June 12th will be a mind altering experience, really I am not kidding. You will be in twisty heaven. Watch for Chips ( Ca Highway patrol) on 299, try not to go much more than 5 over. 36 is one of the best twisty roads in the whole world:bowdown:


You wont' get to see this sign as it's just outside Redding but it is on hwy 36.

IMG_0038-3.jpg


It will be a pleasure to meet up and ride plus we will have fun in the high country all the way up to Klamath Falls!
 
I was meaning to ask that. Not bad. How frequent are gas stations along that route?

My SV can manage a comfortable 200 miles before I need to find fuel, more if I'm just cruising. Shouldn't be a problem methinks
 
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