Motorcycling In the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park

I had the opportunity to take a "mini" vacation last week and spent the time with good friends motorcycling through majestic California scenery. The plan was to camp for two days in the heart of Yosemite Valley and then spend another few nights at a campground in the northwest section of the National Park. The rest of the time was spent on motorcycles traveling through the park and especially Route 120 to Tuolumne Meadows and down the awesome Tioga Pass and out to the small town of Lee Vining on the shore of Mono Lake. Another longer motorcycle ride went through the same area but we then headed north to Bridgeport, California and on up and over the Sonora Pass, one of four crossing points across the Sierra Nevada between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. From there it was on remote and sometimes barely paved backroads to the town of Twain Harte and then back to the National Park.

Riding and traveling by motorcycle is a wonderful experience that is different in subtle and not so subtle ways to the experience of driving in a car. You always have a sense that you are somehow just that bit closer to the surroundings you are traveling through and your senses are heightened as a result. You feel the subtle temperature differences when going up and down elevation, can literally have a better sense of smell as you ride with an open face helmet or with your shield open, and just generally feel more connected to your immediate surroundings because you are more exposed than you would be in a 4 wheel vehicle. We were on the constant vigil for wildlife especially along the lightly traveled backroads but the riding was absolutely wonderful and the scenery did not disappoint. We did see some of the effects of the wildfires and we greeted the firemen who passed by and also saw some of the basecamps that were utilised by the crews fighting the fires.

All in all a great time with longtime friends: motorcycling by day, camping and telling tall tales at night... makes for good times!

With the Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition at Olmstead Point, Yosemite National Park. Notice Half Dome in the background.

Setting up our campsite in Yosemite Valley

Unloading a Ducati 900 Supersport CR

Hanging out at Olmstead Point. Honda CBR 1000 in the foreground and Ducatis in the background.

One more picture of Olmstead Point

Gas pitstop at Bridgeport, California with snow on the Sierra Nevada in the background.

Rest stop somewhere northwest of Yosemite National Park

Using a GPS unit to figure out where we are!

Up around 9000 ft. MSL just below the Sonora Pass.