Snow Melting Pashnit Style in NorCal

[the mad otter]

This was the third trip into the North Country for this year. In March we braved the inclement weather to explore some of the back roads that Tim had thought worthy, only to be turned back due to heavy snowfall.



Forest Road 1, Alderpoint Rd and even parts of Hwy 36 had significant drifts, which made our passing difficult if not impossible. We would have to wait.

Several weeks later Tim and Kevin led another group north braving high winds and snow flurries only to find many roads impassable. Mother Nature still showing her claws and teeth!

Feeling a bit like thwarted explorers attempting to cross the North Pole we assembled a third expedition. This time things looked favorable…there was sunshine predicted.

I took one look back at San Francisco Bay as we ascended Mt. Tamalpais noting the fog settling down beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. “Truly majestic”, I thought to myself. Even though it is man-made, there is something quite beautiful about that city and it’s gateway.



As we passed Alpine Lake along the Bolinas/Fairfax Rd this Tom strutted his stuff, warming his feathers in the morning light.



And herds of deer lounged about in their soft grass beds wondering why we had to make so much noise as we passed by…







For most of day one I kept my camera in the tank bag, focusing instead on riding and keeping the tail end of the group together as we wound along the ocean’s edge. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful curves of Hiway 1 through Sonoma and Mendocino counties, but once we reached the section from the coast to Leggett the big grins came out.

There is something about that piece of road that gets everyone pumped! Very few if any cars headed in either direction make riding almost dreamlike. I often think of that scene from Star Wars…redwoods flashing past just inches to either side, completely exhilarating!



Day two started off sleepily in Fortuna…amber memories lingering in our heads. Soon we were pacing our way east towards the sun…that glorious sun, as it raised in the sky.

I have always liked the idea of the motorcycle being the modern day horse and seeing a corral complete with it’s loading chute intact inspired me. The modern day steed juxtaposed in front of the historical corral surrounded by nature seemed like a wonderful study in contrast.



And with the modern image removed the scene took on an entirely different feel…somehow, more peaceful.



Outside of Hayfork I stopped to assist some folks that had an altercation with a slow moving deer and as a result, became separated from the group until we hit Weaverville for a delightful lunch. The separation afforded me the opportunity to rip Highway 3 solo…an individual time trial…you can’t have much more fun with your clothes on! After lunch I convinced Billie (a season pass holder with a sense of adventure) to join me exploring an alternate route across the mountains looking for a connection to Titlow Rd. He gave me a big smile and I took that as a “yes”…

My next view of Billie…


We took 299 in the direction of Eureka looking for a road that seemed as if the cartographer had a seizure in the middle of drawing a straight line…Dutch Creek Rd. By the map there was no way to know if it was paved or not. As it turned out we scored perfect brand new asphalt for about 5 miles and then graded dirt. Being on my GS I didn’t really care but Billie was on his FZ1…and apparently he didn’t care either!





We were soon rewarded with beautiful views in all directions, waterfalls hidden in the trees, and dramatic landscapes. But the road…well lets just say it wasn’t improving but that didn’t slow Billie down.








Now Billie would probably want me to tell you about how he single handedly moved this boulder out of the road but that would be a blatant fabrication. He actually used two hands!


And if you fell for that one let’s talk about some farmland I have for sale in Okeechobee…

Another waterfall caught our eye…this one much more accessible so we took advantage and played with various exposure settings trying for that National Geographic cover shot…









And finally…my favorite of the bunch


Our efforts, although quite rewarding on some levels, inevitably came up short. Even with the sun shining there was plenty of snow left…enough in fact to support Billie’s Yamaha without the aid of a side stand. We had reached an altitude of approximately 3,700 feet and there was no getting past nature’s freeze just yet.



So down the mountain we went…carefully slipping passed rockslides, seeking another way.





We returned to 299 and headed west towards Eureka, my eyes scrambling from map to road and back to map again…finally spotting an opportunity. Corral Bottom Rd looked promising and so off we went.

We traversed the switchbacks with renewed excitement as the pavement continued with only the occasionally slide of rocks to cause concern. We reached the first summit and pondered the choices…left to Hayfork and Hiway 3 or right towards Hyampom and a connecting road to Forest Rd 1.



The road to Hayfork looked a bit intimidating without a chainsaw in our tool kits so we opted for Hyampom.



My camera battery died about here so I will continue with narrative and hopefully Billie will insert his pics soon.

We headed down Forest Rd 46 towards Hyampom, crossing over felled trees left over from the ravages of winter storms. There were plenty of rocks and gravel strewn everywhere but overall the road was in great shape…no potholes or unpaved sections. We rode for about 8 miles until once again approaching that magic 3,700-foot level we found snow. Much more than on Dutch Creek.

I attempted to ride through a drift that was about 2 feet high and over 100 yards long but with Tourance tires my progress was minimal. I did manage to get the GS thoroughly stuck though, requiring serious efforts from both of us to extricate it. Billie wished he had a video camera to film my efforts to plunge forward. He said the rooster tail of snow coming off the rear tire was spectacular!



Day three we decided to backtrack our route from day one, as everybody wanted another crack at Leggett to the sea. After loading up our gear we headed out…tired after our 400 plus mile day before but happy to be riding again.

Tim and I have had a running joke about one of the characters that we have encountered on our numerous trips along the Redwood Highway. In a little berg called Meyers Flat there is a place that serves one of the best espressos to be found…anywhere. The fellow that works there is fondly referred to as “Grumpy” by Tim and myself for obvious reasons.

It has been our goal to get a smile out of him for several years…with no success. But today was to be our day…we had sunshine and perseverance! Grumpy smiled and we felt that all in the world was right again…Grumpy wasn’t Grumpy anymore…he had a name and it was good.

I led the group from Leggett to the sea at a “spirited” pace (those of you who have ridden with me know) and was soon ready for my last group of photos overlooking the great blue Pacific.







And my flowers…


Thanks for taking the time to read my story…now let Tim know which tour you would like to come on…or else.

[Tyler]

But no pressure...

Originally Posted by the mad otter

Thanks for taking the time to read my story…now let Tim know which tour you would like to come on…or else.
Attachment 69618

[ZR0CS]

Alan: It's not that I didn't care about rolling the Fizzy on the gravel road. It's I didn't know any freakin' better. Attached are photos of Alan's GS doing a wedgy into the
snow bank.. Very Kool...note no centerstand. the bike is support on the heads alone.. What were you thinking???

Billie

[Bluesjammer]

Now that looks like a FUN ride, what a beautiful state you fellas live in.
Steve

[Sbyllek]

Another great ride report, Alan.
Looks like some good fun.

[matthewp]

Another wonderful ride report from Alan.

[Papa-Ken]

Originally Posted by the mad otter

Attachment 69621

Tim and I have had a running joke about one of the characters that we have encountered on our numerous trips along the Redwood Highway. In a little berg called Meyers Flat there is a place that serves one of the best espressos to be found…anywhere. The fellow that works there is fondly referred to as “Grumpy” by Tim and myself for obvious reasons. It has been our goal to get a smile out of him for several years…with no success. But today was to be our day…we had sunshine and perseverance! Grumpy smiled and we felt that all in the world was right again…Grumpy wasn’t Grumpy anymore…he had a name and it was good.

Nice write up Alan and an abundance of good pictures. Stretching my memory back to the mid 50ts and as I recall there was a very good restuarant in Meyers Flat also. The name Knight comes to mind but alas my brain is clouded from lack of use. I know that it was along there somewhere I ate a few times while hauling redwood from Samoa just across the bridge from Eureka. At that time though there wasn't a bridge and you had to go through Arcata and swing back to Samoa. Thanks for sharing your trip with us...........Ken

[pashnit]

Fun times Alan, pics look great!! Although the way you're going, you need to add an e-tool (compact military issue shovel) to your tool kit.

Next time I see that GS, it may have some knobbies on it. Headed back there over Memorial Day too, wonder enough snow will melt in time for us to get through Forest Rd 1.

[taosports]

Thanks for the ride report and great photos Alan. I especially liked the city skyline and waterfall pics. Nicely done!

[eye.surgeon]

Awesome stuff! I see the new concours in the group there, very cool bike.