Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

[pteppic]

OK, so Tim (tomatocity ) wanted me to start a new topic so as not to hijack the Colorado Gathering thread.

Anyone else interested in a two or three day ride that would start and end in Visalia and loop down to about Kernville and include several kinds of road surfaces?

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[Firefight911]

Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

I am interested. Tough timing but I will at least express interest pending more details and timing.


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[tomatocity]

I am IN.

This will be a beautiful ride and a good shake down for the upcoming Colorado trip.

 

[pteppic]

Re: Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

I can tell you it won't be Memorial Day weekend. I serve my community that weekend. Could be during the week.

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[Firefight911]

Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

I refer to all National holidays as Amateur Days and tend to do my best to not ride during these times. Truly a benefit to my being in the fire service where my schedule is flexible and changing to avoid weekends and majors.


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[BUGKILLER]

I'll wait to see what days you pick. Maybe shoot over from AZ and hook up with you guys for a day or two. ::001::

 

[pteppic]

Re: Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

Maybe 22-24 May? Plans are really loose right now. It all depends on the snowpack this year. So far, no worries.



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[pteppic]

ITINERARY FIRST DRAFT

DAY 1
Leave Visalia 0900
CA Highway 198 east to CA Highway 245 in Woodlake
CA Highway 245 to Mountain House (soda, restroom if it's open)
Mountain House to CA Highway 198 via Dry Creek Road
CA Highway 198 west to Yokohl Valley Road
Yokohl Valley Road to Balch Park Road to Springville
Lunch at the hamburger place in Springville. Gas, restrooms.
CA Highway 190 east to Camp Nelson
Camp at Belknap campground in Camp Nelson (store, bar, some hot food) OR
CA Highway 190 to Quaking Aspen campground (store, gas, some hot food at Ponderosa, if it's open)

DAY 2
CA Highway 190 (Western Divide Highway) to Johnsondale turnoff to Johnsondale (no services)
Johnsondale take road south to Kernville (all services, motels, camping)
Choose accomodations and drop stuff
Rest of day spent riding around Isabella Lake and surrounding Forest Service roads, scout Rancheria Road north toward Johnsondale

Day 3
Rancheria Road to Johnsondale
Johnsondale to Camp Nelson
Camp Nelson to Springville
CA Highway 190 to Frazier Valley Road
Frazier Valley Road to CA Highway 65
CA Highway 65 to just past Lindsay at Spruce Street
Spruce to CA Highway 198 west
CA Highway 198 west to Visalia

Comments? Opinions?

 

[pteppic]

Well guys, my only open dates are 22-24 May, that's Wednesday through Friday. I looked at camping Wednesday night, but that doesn't seem to be working out. Quaking Aspen isn't open until Memorial Day, and Belknap (4800' near Camp Nelson) is closed for repairs until Memorial Day. I looked at the website for Ponderosa Lodge, and it looks like they have a couple of dorm-style rooms that can hold up to 10 people each. I'm thinking camping might be a better option for Thursday night down by Kernville/Lake Isabella, and there are also motels and stuff there to suit everyone.

So now my question to y'all is, who's in? Do we have enough interest for me to call Ponderosa and book a night? Should I pursue this further? Phil? Tim? Don? Anyone else? ::014::

 

[Firefight911]

Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

I can't do those dates as I can't get the 23-24th off. Figures, my work schedule conflicts directly.


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[pteppic]

Re: Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

Too bad, Phil. Maybe another time.

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[BUGKILLER]

I'm going to try to meet up with you guys for day 2. I'm off from the 23rd through the end of the month. Just have to figure a way to get off the 22nd to bust out the 575 miles to get there. ::26::

 

[pteppic]

Re: Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

OK Bugkiller we'll be staying in the Kernville /Lake Isabella area on night 2. Even though cell coverage isn't so great in the mountains, let's exchange cell numbers via PM so we can meet you someplace. Are you more partial to camping or motels?

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[pteppic]

Re: Southern Sierra ride in late May or early June?

Bugkiller, once you get to Barstow on I40, take CA58 west to the Caliente turnoff after Tehachapi. Follow the signs north to Lake Isabella. The road will not disappoint.

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[pteppic]

The ball is rolling, and the wheels are turning! I just made a reservation at Brewer's Ponderosa Lodge for 4 people for May 22. The usual caveats apply (snow, war, fire, etc.). There are 4 of us committed at the moment. That fills up one room at the lodge. I didn't ask about room taxes, but the total shouldn't be over about $45 apiece. The room is dorm-style with one king, one double, and two singles. There is another room available, but I didn't commit to it yet because we only have the four of us signed up. --Gene

EDIT: Make that $50 apiece. The base room cost is $185.