August 2009 So. Cal Trip from Washington

[Netnorske]

As many of you may have read in the Off-Topic section, I was recently selected to umpire the Little League Western Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, CA. in August of 2009.

Since I will be quartered at the tournament site for 10 days, I originally planned to fly and rent a car for the week. Well several of my buddies not-so-graciously informed me that I would be a complete idiot-moron not to ride my Nomad down there and back...to which I soon came to my senses and could not have agreed more... .

This will however add extra days to my time off, but I thought about it and have decided to make it one big two and a half week adventure! I can strap all my umpire gear and other stuff to the bike and add substantially to the once-in-a-lifetime experience it already will be... !

Although I haven't made a definitive ride plan...it is winter so what else am I going to do? If I can't ride, I may as well PLAN a ride, huh? Keep in mind, this is entirely above and beyond my plans to ride to Custer in June! That trip will include the wife and we are both looking very forward to that, but the August run will be solo. BTW ....there will be a question forthcoming.... ;)....so bare with me!

I have to arrive at the complex in SB probably on a Tuesday night, so my tentative plan is as follows:

1. Leave Saturday morning Aug 1 taking long winding road (Hwy 410) up and around Mt. Rainier over Chinook Pass and spend the night at a friends place in Kennewick, WA.

2. Sunday morning Aug 2 head south through Pendleton on Hwy 395 and stop somewhere around Chandler State Park (Lake Albert) in southern Oregon...(approx. 400 miles).

3. Monday Aug 3 continue south on Hwy 395 to Carson City, NV where I will spend the night at my stepson and his girlfriends house (approx. 264 miles).

4. Tuesday morning Aug 4 continue south on Hwy 395 straight south to San Bernardino arriving at the Little League Complex late afternoon (417 miles).

Obviously I will be riding Hwy 395 all the way from southern Washington to southern California which will help keep me from getting lost... . My planned route is about 1300 miles total.

I have to admit I am not thrilled about riding anywhere in So. Cal in the middle of August as it will be like riding in a blast furnace, but can anyone tell me what I can expect along Hwy 395? I have never been on it or even close, but it looks interesting, maybe a bit boring, but not nearly as much as I-5.

Also...if any KawaNOW members would like to meet up with me along my path...to ride or even just to meet for a cup of coffee...that would be most welcome.

2009 will be the year of bike rides for me and all of my usual fishing trips will have to be put on hold until the following year. The Little League tournament assignment was completely unexpected, but I might as well use it as a great excuse for another long ride should I not... ..???

Cheers....Kris

[blowndodge]

I've taken the 395 all the way up from Southern california many times.

It's a beautiful scenic ride! Going south you'll see the mighty sierras on your right hand side and nice lakes and farmland on your left!

Once you cross into California from tahoe you come into a small town called Bridgeport. It's worth stopping there and checking out the town. Very old and still in operation with a court house dating back to the late 1800's.

Looking west you'll see sawtooth ridge which is the backside of yosemite. That view will take your breath away. It will be in view all the way until you leave Bridgeport Valley. You will pass the turnoff for Mammoth Lakes (highway120) and drop into the town of Bishop.

Once you start down Sherwin summit about 10 miles north of Bishop you'll see what I've always called "The Great Valley". You can't miss it. It's off the the right and a perfect semi-circular (like a half pipe the skateboarders call) glacial valley that runs for miles slightly uphill. There is a road that goes up it. One day I want to take that road!

The town of Lone Pine is next where you'll find the Whitney portal. It's a road that takes you up to the start of the trail to the top of Mt Whitney, the highest point in the lower states.

From there south you'll start crossing the mojave desert all the way until you go down Cajon Pass (after you hit highway 15 from the 395) to San Bernardino.

Of all the routes you could take, 395 is by far the most scenic.

[cactusjack]

San Bernardino is about a six-hour ride from Phoenix. If I can manage the time, I'd be up for riding out there to see you.

If you've never been there before, things get real interesting on I-15 once you start down Cajon Pass out of Victorville. You go from desert to urban scenery real quick.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I've taken the 395 all the way up from Southern california many times.

It's a beautiful scenic ride! Going south you'll see the mighty sierras on your right hand side and nice lakes and farmland on your left!

Once you cross into California from tahoe you come into a small town called Bridgeport. It's worth stopping there and checking out the town. Very old and still in operation with a court house dating back to the late 1800's.

Looking west you'll see sawtooth ridge which is the backside of yosemite. That view will take your breath away. It will be in view all the way until you leave Bridgeport Valley. You will pass the turnoff for Mammoth Lakes (highway120) and drop into the town of Bishop.

Once you start down Sherwin summit about 10 miles north of Bishop you'll see what I've always called "The Great Valley". You can't miss it. It's off the the right and a perfect semi-circular (like a half pipe the skateboarders call) glacial valley that runs for miles slightly uphill. There is a road that goes up it. One day I want to take that road!

The town of Lone Pine is next where you'll find the Whitney portal. It's a road that takes you up to the start of the trail to the top of Mt Whitney, the highest point in the lower states.

From there south you'll start crossing the mojave desert all the way until you go down Cajon Pass (after you hit highway 15 from the 395) to San Bernardino.

Of all the routes you could take, 395 is by far the most scenic.

BD,
It does sound like you've ridden it once or twice... ! That's great to hear and I'm stoked even more having read your description! Thanks so much. So many rides...so little time....

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

San Bernardino is about a six-hour ride from Phoenix. If I can manage the time, I'd be up for riding out there to see you.

If you've never been there before, things get real interesting on I-15 once you start down Cajon Pass out of Victorville. You go from desert to urban scenery real quick.

I have been there....to the Little League complex in SB that is....in 2003 for the Western Region Umpire School. We drove in from Ontario airport though so the route coming south on 395 will be a whole new experience....one that I am truly looking forward to (except maybe the part about the Mojave Desert in mid August... ).

[lw]

Just a thought, but have you considered shipping your Ump gear rather than packing it on your bike?

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by LW

Just a thought, but have you considered shipping your Ump gear rather than packing it on your bike?

LW,
I have given that some thought and might just do that, depending on cost. I appreciate the concern....!

[blowndodge]

I should be able to take the trip and hook up with you too Kris.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I should be able to take the trip and hook up with you too Kris.

You sure? You'd actually ride your bike to San Berdoo?

[blowndodge]

Just make sure you haul all my sh*t "Grapes of Wrath" trailer haulin' man!! That could be a long long ride for me so I'll need lots of stuff!! Beer!!!!

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I should be able to take the trip and hook up with you too Kris.

BD,
That would be awesome! It would be great to have some company for part of the trip....especially a tour guide who knows the territory! I look forward to meeting you in Custer next June!

The more I think about it...the more I like the idea of shipping my gear down ahead of time....

Cheers...Kris

[rlfaubion]

Here’s a fairly good description "off the beaten" parts of 395 from an RV’rs perspective.

http://www.geocities.com/desert_dutch/index.htm

Personally, I think there are better ways getting through California from the north than 395. Take a look at coming down through John Day Oregon towards Shasta Lake or or even by Crater Lake Oregon on through to the Lava beds just across the Oregon/California border towards the Burney Falls area. Either way, work yourself a little southward picking up Lassen Volcanic Nat’l Park. Then catch Hwy 70 south along the Feather River Canyon to the Sacramento valley. Leaving the valley head southeast over the Sierra’s through Markleville to 395 (an amazing ride). You’ll be near Topaz Nevada now, right at the Nevada/California border on 395. Ride 395 south from there. This is the best part of 395 anyway. You’ll pick up Bridgeport soon and like BD said, Bridgeport is worth seeing too. Here’s a good restaurant in town.



Even if you need an extra day, the scenery and the ride is well worth it, and you won’t regret the experience. If we’re around in August, we’ll ride a day or two with ya, and we can help with accommodations in Sacramento

Something like this:

http://tinyurl.com/49vkvw

Have fun!

[blowndodge]

I know that section from Burney Falls through Lassen on down across to Tahoe. Unbelievable remoteness and beauty Valdez!! I remember pulling up to a gas station with cows all around me and a little boy about 10 comes out and fills up my tank on my GS1000. All I could think about is, "what a place to have a second home."

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Valdez (lone Juan)

Here’s a fairly good description "off the beaten" parts of 395 from an RV’rs perspective.

http://www.geocities.com/desert_dutch/index.htm

Personally, I think there are better ways getting through California from the north than 395. Take a look at coming down through John Day Oregon towards Shasta Lake or or even by Crater Lake Oregon on through to the Lava beds just across the Oregon/California border towards the Burney Falls area. Either way, work yourself a little southward picking up Lassen Volcanic Nat’l Park. Then catch Hwy 70 south along the Feather River Canyon to the Sacramento valley. Leaving the valley head southeast over the Sierra’s through Markleville to 395 (an amazing ride). You’ll be near Topaz Nevada now, right at the Nevada/California border on 395. Ride 395 south from there. This is the best part of 395 anyway. You’ll pick up Bridgeport soon and like BD said, Bridgeport is worth seeing too. Here’s a good restaurant in town.



Even if you need an extra day, the scenery and the ride is well worth it, and you won’t regret the experience. If we’re around in August, we’ll ride a day or two with ya, and we can help with accommodations in Sacramento

Something like this:

http://tinyurl.com/49vkvw

Have fun!

Valdez,
You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the accommodation offer and the route suggestion....but I would get killed if I didn't spend a night in Carson City, NV with my stepson and his SO... :)

The route you show is basically what I had in mind from Everett down to Alturas, CA. (including an overnight stop around Lakeview, OR).

I'm thinking I could at least continue down through Lassen Volcanic National Park and skirt Lassen National Forest before cutting back through Quincy and Portola towards Reno and 395. Like this...

That just leaves about a 400 mile run south on 395 to San Bernardino! That adds a few miles on day three...but its still just under 400 for the day, so that is easily do-able to see some better scenery!

I would love to hook up with you guys (you, BD and CactusJack) if any of you can make it. I realize it will be a Monday and Tuesday on those legs of my trip so certainly understand if nobody can make it, but it would be fun if anyone can.

I'm sure we can kick it around over a beverage or two in Custer come next June, eh?

[rlfaubion]

After I sent you the map I realized I'd cut your Carson City stop out and that may not work.

If you do take 299 across think about turning right at 89 for 13 miles to see Burney Falls. It's a few hours and worthy



Here's some shots of what you'll see with your latest planned route.

Manzanita Lake in Lassen, with the Volcano in the background



Greenville



Lake Almanor



Quincy (good burgers here)



Near Portola



Lake Tahoe (East side)