A BMW motorcycle ride across the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California is sure to delight the senses. Twisting ribbons of pavement with distant snow-clad mountains are what motorcycle travel dreams are made of. I’m traveling from the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California across Sonora Pass on day five of my 53-day ride from Arizona to British Columbia
Riding Solo | AZ to BC | Episode 6
Details
- Distance: 243 miles
- Location: California
- Start: Lone Pine, California
- End: Beardsley Dam Reservoir, California
- Roads: Highway 395, Sonora Pass, CA 108
- Conditions: pavement
- Cities: Lone Pine, Big Pine, Bishop, Bridgeport
- Camping: Beardsley Dam Reservoir
Alabama Hills
The Alabama Hills are located just a few miles to the west of Lone Pine, California. You wouldn’t realize that this scenic location is just off Highway 395 unless you knew about it or happened that way. Fortunately, I knew about it beforehand and came prepared to spend the night in my dispersed campsite.
Sierra Nevada Mountains
I ride north with the mighty eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada mountains to my left. This beautiful range of light is still covered in snow at the higher elevations, making me anticipate my motorcycle tour through the mountains. I know that the passes will be open and snow won’t be on the road.
West Fork Walker River
I stop by the west fork of the Walker River to appreciate the flowing water, a direct result of the snow melt at the top of the mountains. Some of these high Sierra passes don’t open for travel until late June or early July, depending on the year’s snowfall.
Twisty Mountain Roads
I’m riding on California Highway 108 over Sonora Pass and the roads are exceptionally fun on my BMW motorcycle. Butler Motorcycle Maps gives this road it’s highest rating. If you are looking for some good motorcycling roads I recommend checking out Butler Maps G1 Regional Motorcycle Map of Southern California.
Sonora Pass
There is a small turnout near Sonora Pass with enough room for me to pull over safely and enjoy the view of the roads I will be taking to the west. It’s much cooler up here at elevation and I’m having an absolutely enjoyable day traveling through the Sierra Nevadas.
Beardsley Reservoir
Beardsley Reservoir is located in a steep rocky canyon of the Middle Fork Stanislaus River. There are developed recreational facilities including a campground and the area is popular with fishermen. I ride down to the base of the dam looking for a place to pitch my tent but don’t see anything that looks permissible.
Camping by the Lake
I choose to camp just off the roadside at a spot overlooking the reservoir. The campground is just around the bend further up the road, but I want a little bit more privacy for my motorcycle camping experience.
Hammock Camping
Sometimes when the conditions are right I like to sleep in my hammock. Of course, if it is too windy or cold I would sleep in my tent, but this is an ideal hammock camping location with big trees to tie off to.
MSR Gravity Water Filter
I carry a MSR Gravity Water Filter so that I can filter water from rivers, lakes and streams along the way. I like to keep my water containers full and the filter is very useful in environments where there is a lot of water. It doesn’t work as well in the desert!
Staying Clean
Camping next to a source of water also helps me stay clean. I go for a swim in the cool mountain reservoir and become refreshed before preparing my meal.
Motorcycle Cooking
I like to cook good meals when I am motorcycle camping and tonight’s dinner will be some spicy noodles with zucchini and sesame oil. You can see all of the items that I keep in my kitchen bag here.
Improvised Table
I’ve improvised a cooking surface to cook on by using my GSI Folding Table attached to my motorcycle panniers. It’s not the most sturdy solution but works well enough for preparing my meal. I wish that somebody would make a product like this.
Monopod Lantern
I continue to find uses for the monopod that I attached to my motorcycle panniers. In addition to holding my action cameras, I find it useful for stringing a clothes line, or in this case, hanging a battery lantern from the pole.