Leaving tomorrow for a week in Lake Tahoe
 

Hey all ,my GF and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a week in tahoe,me on the k1200s and her 1100s of course!Any one know of some day rides over there, I realize it is a little late, but someone might know of some great rides.
Carl

Emerald Bay, Reno Highway 431, to Reno

The more scenic route from So Cal would definitely be the 395 north through Reno!

Try Benton Crossing Road just north of Lake Crowley, which is north of Bishop.
Take it all the way around to the 120 north, that will lead you to the S.E. end of Mono Lake and back to the 395 by Lee Vining. It is worth the effort, and a Spectacular drive!!! Good 2 lane paved road all the way.


Also Tioga Pass that leads to the eastern entrance of Yosemite. The June Lake Loop (hwy 158) is equally as beautiful. It will make you think you were driving through the Swiss Alps! Also some nice places to stay overnight. Virginia Lakes is a nice little detour as well... The 395 north of Lee Vining through Bridgeport and north to Reno is probably the prettiest drive on the 395!

I often drive this route to visit a good friend of mine in Reno. I usually take different side route's off of the 395 every time, and am always pleasantly surprised!

Last time, I ventured out the 168 outside of Big Pine and up to the Ancient Bristlecone Forest. Altitude went from 3500' to almost 10000' in a matter of 15 miles. Spectacular view overlooking Bishop.

hwy 120 southbound from Mono Lake
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188615983.jpg
same
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616035.jpg
same
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616057.jpg
same
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616071.jpg
looking southeast at the White Mountain Range close to Benton Crossing
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616090.jpg

This was my first time on the 120. Looking at the map, I had always just figured this area was a bunch of sand... Boy was I wrong!

more pics to follow...

Almost at the top of the Tioga Pass is Ellery Lake, elev. 9500'!
Eastern entrance to Yosemite.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616368.jpg

Just north of Bridgeport on the 395.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616433.jpg

June Lake, just south of the Tioga Pass.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616544.jpg

June Lake, part of the June Lakes Loop.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616608.jpg

Grant Lake, part of the Loop.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188616722.jpg

The last few pics are from the drive up through the Ancient Bristlecone Forest National Park, which is just north of Big Pine.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188617080.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188617100.jpg

Overlooking Bishop from almost 10000'
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188617116.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188617165.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188617189.jpg

I made it to the top as the sun was setting, and a storm was moving in. The lighting was really something... Kind of eery as only one other car passed me, and they were going down the mountain. Wind was blowing about 30 mph, and it was about 40* outside...

I personally like Hwy 88 thru Jackson on to Kirkwood.. Give a shout if you get to Reno!!

If you havn't left yet. Look up www.pashnit.com. Used to be free, not sure if it still is.
Lots of good roads there.

Here are two fun trips:
Hwy 50 to 49 in Placerville South to fiddletown road east to 88 north to Tahoe/50

or Hwy 50 to pollickpines south on Slypark to Morman immigrant trail to 88 north to Tahoe/50

Take 89 south all the way to the Nevada line. Once you pass Highway 88, 89 gets pretty nice. One of my favorites is Highway 4 in that same area. Great drive and you can go over to Calaveras big trees.

Click here for area shots

There are a ton of nice roads. Hwy 431(Mt Rose Hwy) has a great scenic overlook of the lake. Across the street from CalNeva and just East there is a road that goes up to a locked gate and a short hike to one of the best views you will see in your life, especially at dawn. Old fire look out road. Hwy 88 and 89 are both good, the road through Markleeville. The road to Quincy from Truckee(on I 80) is pretty sweet, you can go back to Oroville via this river canyon that is awesome

As mentioned before, mt rose hwy is a nice road. A few years ago I spotted a preproduction Carrera GT doing high altitude testing there. With the recent Panamera sightings I would not be surprised if they headed that way again.

Hwy 40 going from Doner Lake to Sugar Bowl ski resort is also a nice short trip.