2-day CA ride - memory check and foothills fancy

[Kevin R]

So, it's getting warmer and the dry parts of California are about as green as they will get this year. Although the big Sierra passes are still closed, there are still great alternatives for spring riding here. Some of them include areas I haven't ridden in many years so I figured I'd do a memory check to see if it is as good as remembered. (Spoiler alert: exceeded expectations!) Others, like the Sierra foothills in the middle of CA are loaded with back roads that I'd never ridden - until now. Here's a few pics - okay, a lot of pics - of the 2 day ride I took this week.

I started out from San Jose with a jaunt down CA25 past Pinnacles NP and from there decided to head east and then up and over Parkfield Mt for a new-to-me route.

For those familiar with Rossi's driveway (CA229) in central CA, the above is a shot of Rossi's OTHER driveway (aka Parkfield Grade).

The ride up and over this mountain was superlative. Rossi's Other Driveway is longer than the original and includes better scenery, too. But watch out for cows. 🐄

North slope of Parkfield Mt looking east towards Coalinga

Over the top and looking south towards the town of Parkfield

There was a short 4mi stretch of dirt at the top and on the south slope of the mountain but it was easy enough even with my tires starting to look like race slicks, i.e. treads well into the wear bars.

Slow and easy on this part of a beautiful spring ride with temps in upper 60s on Parkfield Mt

From Parkfield it was a run southwest over to Creston and Rossi's original driveway, CA229. On the way, CA41 was awesome between Shandon and Atascadero for gas - I mean really awesome. Especially the sweet 10mi stretch of twisty asphalt winding through the hills east of Creston. After CA229, it was CA58 to McKittrick. This is one of my all time favorite roads. I even submitted it as a 10 Best once for American Motorcyclist magazine. Over a stretch of 70mi or so it has it all: sections of 2nd gear canyon twisties at either end sandwiching a long section of sweepers through rolling hills plus a wide open vista across the northern Carrizo Plain with huge solar farms and even a few excellent roller coaster hills thrown in. The pavement is superb from beginning to end; even better on the eastern end than I remembered because it looks to have been repaved within the past few years.

From McKittrick a boring drone across to Bakersfield was followed by a really nice run up CA178 through the Kern River Canyon to Lake Isabella. I'd forgotten how striking the terrain is up around this area with its giant rocky outcrops and boulder strewn rivers. Originally I wasn't planning on staying overnight there but with all of my dilly-dallying along the road a change in plan was necessary to stay in Kernville. I was glad I did.

By a stroke of good luck I found out when I got to Kernville that the roads north through Johnsondale and Ponderosa had been opened the day before. Yippee! Things were definitely looking up, as this meant that not only could I ride CA190 (which I was planning to skip in lieu of CA155) but also could visit the Trail of a Hundred Giants - a short walking path through a giant sequoia grove. Kernville is a really pretty little mountain town that is full of indie motels and eateries, with loads of campgrounds all up and down the Kern River. It's big for fishing and white water rafting (and motorcycle riding!) and it was nice to have my memory of the place refreshed.

Heading north the next morning it was a chilly 45deg with a few anemic snow drifts occasionally visible through the trees along the road. I had the road almost entirely to myself (definitely NOT the case in the summer tourist season)as I headed up above 7000ft. Unfortunately, the early opening means the snowpack was low this year which means another dry year for CA.

The view up above Johnsondale

Giant Sequoias along the Western Divide Hwy

On the Trail of a Hundred Giants

The big dog in the grove (on the right) is 23ft dia (the puny "normal" evergreen in front of it is about 15" dia and about 30ft tall). Interesting fact: giant sequoias grow in one place on earth, a 270mi long swath that is only 20mi wide on the western slope of the Sierras between 4500 and 7000ft elevation.

The eastern terminus of sport riding Nirvana

From here on it was only heavenly riding for me.

The road itself on CA190 was amazing but the Sequoia Complex Fire in 2020 left its mark in the surrounding mountainsides

Along CA190 - a scene all too familiar to those who live in or near the mountains of CA and OR after the fires of 2020

CA190 is 25miles of 2nd and 3rd gear twisties on excellent pavement. It's good for shrinking the size of those pesky chicken strips. At the bottom of CA190 it was on into the foothills via Yokohl Valley.

Yokohl Valley vista

Beware the local inhabitants

I lost count of how many kamikazis ran in front of me but somehow did not hit a single one on the whole trip. Others apparently were not as successful here.

Near Yokohl, CA

CA245 heading north from Woodlake is another gem in the central CA area. On the southern end it slips through fragrant (this time of year) fields of citrus that had me practically hyperventilating as I deep breathed in the sweet smell of orange blossoms. Easy sweepers get progressively sharper along with a few elevation surprises (reminds me of 555 in SE Ohio) before moving on to full-on 2nd gear corner carving. CA245 culminates 35mi later at 5400ft on the west slope of the Sierras near King's Canyon NP.

Along CA245 - It. Does. Not. Get. Better. Than. This.

Then back down to the valley floor again on CA180 with nice sweepers and beautiful vistas to the south. And repeat. This time into the foothills past Trimmer and Tollhouse back up to 7000ft elevation at Huntington Lake.

Pine Flat Lake along Trimmer Springs Rd - drought is upon is in CA again

Another reminder of 2020 - near Big Creek where the Creek Fire devastated 370,000 acres

Dam at Shaver Lake - before the Creek Fire this photo was probably not possible (trees blocking the view)

All in all it was a terrific 2-day ride on excellent back roads which were mostly deserted. Some of it due to early season and midweek travel but also because some of the roads are quite remote (cell service? gas stations? what's that?).

At the end of the day, my memory of the old routes I once took years ago was confirmed (yay, no dementia or nostalgic influences). At the same time, I finally, after living in CA for 20+yrs had the opportunity to explore the foothill backroads in the central/southern Sierras. I definitely won't wait another 20yrs to go back.

Edited April 19, 2021 by Kevin R
CA245 typo fixed.

[koth442]

Beautiful riding. Northern CA is in a league of its own.

[nvzman]

Damn nice write-up and pics.  Thanks for the journey.👍

[knyte]

Dang, looks like a great ride!

[craz1]

We did Sequoia Park several years ago. Came in from Death Valley and into the southern part of the park working north. Quite the winding roads with a lot of switch backs. Have to watch out for the on coming cars as they normally take up 1/2 of your lane and all of it in the turns. A must see if you in the area. 

[wanderer]

On 4/17/2021 at 2:37 PM, Kevin R said:

By a stroke of good luck I found out when I got to Kernville that the roads north through Johnsondale and Ponderosa had been opened the day before.

The serendipitous stuff great days are made of!

This writeup just makes me think I need to find a weekend for myself, and soon, and I'd likely hit many the same roads.

In younger days I used to go to Kernville a couple times a year for white water kayaking. Fond memories include burgers at El Rio by the river park. Now when I happen to ride through, every now and then, I always stop for a burger. 

[craz1]

We stayed in Kernville. Neat little town.