Pacific NW Trip Planning

[dcc46]

I posted this over in advrider also

After my failed fly and ride attempt Seattle to New York last year
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675630
I'm going to try it again this year and put a little more thought into it. I'm looking for some route advice, right now I'm looking at starting in Seattle again the first week of May and this time head west to Forks, WA and taking 101 down to Redwood National Park then turning SE and taking 299 to Redding CA, then SE to Lake Tahoe , Death Valley etc. First i want to finish planning this section. I am going to ship my Super Tenere up for the trip instead of buying again. So my question is, would you change the route I have so far? Any must ride roads I'm missing? Thanks for any info. I moved to FL so I'm starting South this time , and I'm a little gun shy of your Mountain passes after last time ::003::
What post is complete without at least one pic

 

[fbiebesh]

I like what I'm hearing about your route so far.

 

[markjenn]

This is a good "through" route, but misses all kinds of great stuff if you want to get off the main roads and work your way in/out from the ocean a bit more. But you'll add time. 101 is pretty heavily trafficked and patrolled, but certainly scenic.

Personally, I much prefer 36 to Red Bluff rather than 299 to Redding. But I don't know how that hooks up to your route further E. 299 is good, but 36 is one of great roads in the world. Or combine the two by doing 299 to about 10 miles W of Willow Creek, then take Titlow Hill road down to 36. Titlow Hill is a great adventure bike road - all paved, but 60 miles of some of the most remote and technical pavement you can find. Only fly in ointment is possibility of snow - I suspect it is gone in early May, but don't know for absolute sure.

- Mark

 

[fbiebesh]

Hmm. Not sure I've ever taken 36. But I really liked 299 through the Trinity. To offer a good critique, we need to know what the ride is really about. For pushing down through Washington and Oregon, you may want to take a look at Motorcycle Touring in the Pacific Northwest: The Region's Best Rides (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762757272/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details). I picked it up a month or so ago, and their impressions jived nicely with what I thought about the trip down the coast. It was also a nice read.

From Redding both 299 and 44 are fun ways to head east. But it's been a while. Since I have family up 299, I'm probably biased that way.

Fred

 

[tomatocity]

I tracked very southern Oregon to Lake Tahoe and tried to post GoogleMaps with tracks though it will not post the tracks. If you PM me an email address I will send them to you.

 

[Twisties]

I have done 299 and 36 in my truck and plan to ride them both soon. Based on the truck experience I would have to say 36 is a level beyond. Much more remote and less trafficked, longer, windier and steeper. Now, I have to mention, you will be right at the Lost Coast before you turn East. That is Mattole Rd on the coast and out through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This is also my must ride soon list and I believe is considered a moto mecca. You can readily get back to 36 on 101.

Lost Coast Map

Ok, moving along, I would continue up 36 to Susanville (if the weather and road conditions permit, you will need to check that at the time, but this year snow pack in the Sierras is so far about 25% of normal. This road is year round, so unless there is a storm you should be ok). Then take 395 S. If Lassen is open you might consider a stop... another thing on my list. Depending on your time, there are a number of very nice looking back roads that might make alternates to 395 south of Lassen, but I am not familiar with them and you would need local info.

If the Sierra Passes are open, and as unusual as that sounds for early May, there is speculation that they may be this year, please consider taking CA-49 down the west side of the Sierras and then crossing one of the passes, Sonora CA-108 or Ebbets CA-4 are good choices. You can also go through Yosemite, or down to Sherman Pass in the Southern Sierras and pick up some amazing foothills riding and Sequoia/Kings Canyon. You may wish to criss-cross several times. Do this one way and catch Tahoe going the other way, or do Tahoe as an over and back, or my personal favorite... skip it... yeah, I know it's popular but it never did anything for me. Ebbets and Sonora Passes are well maintained. Sherman is rough to scary, but most would say it's paved and remote. This entire area is riddled with superb riding roads and if you go that way I can get some local experts to chime in from another forum.

Map of 49, passing by Ebbets and Sonora Passes, and crossing on Sherman Pass

In the Death Valley area is CA 168 with a spur run up to the Schulman Grove. 168 is year round. The Schulman Grove Rd may or may not be open. Best street riding in the DV area.

Ca-168 and Schulman Grove



I don't have the dirt road riding experience in this area, but I know Titus Canyon is pretty knarly. Rhyolite is a popular ghost town. I am told Titus Canyon is not for beginners.

Rhyolite to Dv via Titus Canyon