2022 Pashnit Touring on a Hayabusa

[pashnit]

We have a tendency to hop on main roads, skip over, and then take the first available backroad. Or at least, that's how I plan these routes. If you thought it was all going to be main roads, nope.

The Cherry Lake Loop is a road we haven’t ridden in a very long time as a group, say 10 years. Last year I went back to pre-ride this route and discovered new pavement for many twisty miles. Score!

Cherry Lake Rd | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Sierra Nevada Motorcycle Rides - Ride the Cherry Lake Loop, California

www.pashnit.com

New pavement at first, and sorta single lane

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Forest fire took out all the trees some years back. This photo is from 20 years ago, same spot.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

All about water. All these roads were built to reach reservoirs built in the mountains to store water. The huge penstock over there flows down to a powerhouse in the canyon. The fun part is we have to ride down into the canyon & back out the other side.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

The northern leg of the Cherry Lake Loop is a wide open mountain highway with no people.

These trees have all been replanted after a forest fire. Once established, the pines grow very quickly, about 12 inches per year.

Cherry Lake Loop is quite long - over 50 miles, no paved side roads, no commercial development and you'll see no one. Nobody out here. The northern leg of the loop was all new repaving and wide, superfast, remote and fun.

 

[pashnit]

A stop at our favorite eatery in Mi-Wuk Village

Ran when parked.

 

[pashnit]

We're at 4700 ft here, time to head into the mountains. Time to head up to nearly 10,000 ft.

 

[pashnit]

This gap in the rock is called the Q'de Porka, or Tail of Pig

There used to be a sign strung across many years ago.

 

[pashnit]

Same spot, many years ago.... Sign is still there

 

[pashnit]

Highway 108 - Sonora Pass is one of our favorite mountain passes

Highway 108 - Sonora Pass | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Ride Sonora Pass across the Sierra Nevada Mountain, California Motorcycle Ride

www.pashnit.com

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Highway 108 - Sonora Pass | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Ride Sonora Pass across the Sierra Nevada Mountain, California Motorcycle Ride

www.pashnit.com

Nearing the summit, the snow is getting closer

 

[pashnit]

At the summit, there's bikes everywhere

The fellas all raced to the summit, they've been here for a while

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

No snow this time of year

But in previous years we've been up here. Same spot. Wee bit.

Other times it looked like this.

 

[pashnit]

How big was it?

 

[pashnit]