It’s hard to believe it’s already the first weekend in June! This was going to be my first weekend up in the Sierras for the year. I always love early-season rides up in the mountains as my aim is to catch large snow drifts on the sides of freshly plowed roads. By Wednesday, there were four of us headed up to the mountains. It was a large enough group to have both company and diversity, yet small enough that the complications of group riding didn’t take over. Unfortunately, one had health issues, and the other two had families tugging at their time. How do I argue with that, lol 😂? My group of four suddenly became one.

One of the guys really wanted to go, but he couldn’t give the whole weekend to riding, and I was willing to take any company that I could get. He was going to join me for lunch, and then I was on my own from there. On this trip, I wanted to do a little bit of exploring rather than just going up 88. We took Highway 4 across the delta, which is becoming a favorite of mine. The road is gentle and doesn’t have near the grind of Interstate 580 to the south. I find the drawbridges a touch of character along the winding road. Just before we climb up to the second drawbrige, I spot a truck parked over the double yellow line blocking access to the bridge. Oh shiiii…. I quickly slow and see an 18-wheeler using both lanes on the drawbridge, stopping eastbound traffic. About 75 minutes later, we were heading north on Highway 99 smack dab in the middle of the Central Valley.

We decided to take Highway 26, which is Highway 88’s little brother. It’s smaller, has less traffic, and, in many ways, is a touch more scenic. We wound through towns like Valley Springs, West Point, and Molkuleme Hill. Just about all of Highway 26 is a two-lane road with aptly placed passing lanes to move beyond slower traffic. I am definitely earmarking this one for a second run, as it’s been years since I’ve done Highway 26. The last time I rode it, the road felt much more difficult. Today, I feel more confident as a rider some 10 years later.

I chose to eat at Plate 88 once again as I wanted to give the restaurant another shot. I remember the food being good, but the service was exceptionally long and I was tired after a difficult descent out of Lake Tahoe. Food options aren’t exactly plentiful along this stretch of highway and Plate 88 had the potential to be really good. I was hoping it would live up to that potential this time.

I’m happy to report that lunch was just what I wanted. The tater tots indeed were outstandingly good! I probably could’ve left half of them on the plate, but these would’ve been it if tater tots could be a culinary delight. Plate 88 is clearly on my map in the future!

As Highway 88 continues into the alpine, the road matures like a finely crafted wine. The turns on this highway are always honest and crisp, with beautiful vistas of places like Bear River Reservoir, Silver Lake, and numerous vistas of the Sierra Nevada. Much like Highway 26, Highway 88 generally has passing lanes and all the right places, making it easy to not feel trapped.

A little further down the highway are two peaks I always find fun to ride: Carson Pass and Carson Spur. Carson Pass is one of the seven significant passes over the Sierras. Caltrans gives Carson Spur more credit than Google! I’m guessing Carson Spur is some sort of geologic approach to Carson Pass. At 8652 feet, Carson Pass affords a beautiful view over the Hope Valley, known for its fall color come October. Early June was a touch too late this year to catch the epic snowpack. It’s always touch and go: early-season riding usually means more ice, snow, and sand on the roadway, which is never good for motorcycles.

I freaking love the westward view over Monitor Pass! It truly captures the sharp rise of the Sierras to the west and the high desert to the east. With the snow on the high peaks, the clouds in the sky, and no cars around, I’m glad I brought the SLR camera. This photograph is definitely going on the wall at home! Score!

This time, I chose to ride north across the Nevada border. I’m generally not one for casinos, especially recently spending a week in the basement of the Venetian for work. The smoke, lights, confusing layouts, and lack of sun always get to me in Vegas. However, the Topaz Lodge was all right for the weekend. The casino part wasn’t overwhelming; it had all the essentials for motorcycle travel: gas, food, and a reasonably comfortable bed! The free drink and breakfast coupon was a small bonus!

The eastern slope of the Sierras always starkly contrasts with all that is familiar in California. The desert landscape radically takes over the journey. All of the moisture from the Pacific Ocean generously falls over the California side of the Sierras, leaving the Nevada side sparse and barren.

US 395 is the main thoroughfare in this part of the world, and I’ve ridden it hundreds of times. On this trip, I chose to do a little exploring, wandering on secondary roads to two places I hadn’t seen before, both east and west of the highway.

There’s a small gas station on indigenous land near Walker, California. I discovered this last time I was in the area. Because it’s on indigenous land, it’s not subject to the same California taxes as other gas stations. As I was in the store, two CHP officers pulled over 10 high-performance cars racing on US-395. It was a spectacle to see the officers pull over so many vehicles. This a reminder for me to keep the speed in check and be thankful for others to pay for the state’s budget – this time.

Oh, Sonora! You are the perfect balance between technical prowess and good pavement. You are an incredible joy riding from the west and a solid technical challenge from the east. I always laugh, buzzing by the USMCWTC signs on the eastern slope, saying that five times fast! It’s the United States Marine Corps mountain warfare training center! Occasionally, you can spot a Marine in the area, but this trip was not one of them.

Every road has its epic turn. For me, Sonora Pass Highway’s is this one. Set at about 7500 feet on the western side of Sonora Pass, this turn encompasses a fantastic view of the canyon below.

One of the side effects of the pandemic is the rapid uptake of “nature.“ The single parking spot up from this turn was always empty. Post-pandemic, it’s now always overloaded with cars. This time, I was able to sneak my bike on the rock to take a few photographs of the canyon. Twenty five years in, this area still takes my breath away.

Every motorcyclist loves a little pavement porn and Sonora Pass is full of it! There’s nothing like a 180° full, lean, smooth as glass sweeper coming down the mountain!

With a view to boot!

About 25 years ago, as a fresh immigrant to California, a buddy and I hiked up out of Kennedy Meadow. I didn’t really remember what was there, but got a bit nostalgic for the area, so I turned my motorcycle down the dirt path to see what was back there. Kennedy Meadow is a solid outpost with camping, a restaurant, a general store. Sonora was a good hour away and I was getting hungry. I parked the motorcycle amongst a few big, dirty trucks and headed in for a table.

I quickly caught the statement around locally sourced beef, which is always a bonus. If the cow was local, I was hoping the burger would taste that much better – especially after a morning of good motorcycling. And as truth would have it, that burger did not disappoint. 😜

About 25 years ago, as a fresh immigrant to California, a buddy and I hiked up out of Kennedy Meadow. I didn’t really remember what was there but got nostalgic for the area, so I turned my motorcycle down the dirt path to see what was back there. Kennedy Meadow is a solid outpost with a camping, restaurant, and general store. Sonora was a good hour away, but I was getting hungry. I parked the motorcycle amongst a few big, dirty trucks and headed for a table.

I quickly caught the statement about locally sourced beef, which is always a bonus. If the cow was local, I hoped the burger would taste that much better – especially after a morning of good motorcycling. And as truth would have it, that burger did not disappoint. 😜

A few years after moving to East Bay, I was coming back from a trip. I came down the Sierras and saw Mount Diablo sitting on the other side of the Central Valley. I felt my heart skip a beat. I had the same feeling seeing Mount Diablo from Mount Tamalpias. I could see home from a distant vantage point. I wanted to get a good photograph of Mount Diablo with my SLR camera. I didn’t know where that vantage point was, but I knew I wanted to stop there.

This is why I love motorcyclists. I posted on the local forum: “I remember a view of Mount Diablo from Highway 4 coming down from the Sierras. Does anyone know where that is?” Of course, somebody knows exactly where that is: we’re motorcyclists. We ride roads for recreation, taking in all of the small details. I even got a reply that included a 3D aerial rendering of Mount Diablo off on the horizon. And when I rode through, he was right, as it wasn’t anywhere near where I thought it was.

I came home on Highway 4 are all the same reasons I departed on Highway 4: it’s just a super fun casual ride. With a blink of an eye, I was home.

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