Sopiago Springs scouting trip - Directions to Tim's place

[m0t0-ryder]

Out of curiosity and to help with the logistics of the Pashnit gathering I took a scouting run to Sopiago Springs Resort yesterday. (10/10/2005)

This thread of posts describes (and shows) how to get there and what you will see when you get there.

If you want to be surprised by what you see when you get there then I would stop at the first posts that show the turns in. After these will be pic’s of the area itself.

Also… my apologies if you are offended by the two opening photo’s.
With all the recent bear story talks (during group outings) I felt I had to share this little side event.

First…
I left home (San Jose area) at about 4:30am hoping to be well into the Sierra foothills before sunrise.
I also decided to take Hwy 26 East off of Hwy 99 out of Stockton because I hadn’t ridden it before.
WAY COOL ROAD!

Especially the section between Mokelumni Hill and where Hwy 26 meets Hwy 88.

This is a truly snaking road through the foothills.
(I also want to check out Jesus Maria Rd and Railroad Flat Rd. someday)

Anyway…
Once I hit Hwy 88 East I went just a little past the Omo Ranch Rd turnout to have some breakfast in Cooks Station. I was the only customer at that time… great service.
(clue # 1… if you get to Cooks Station going East on Hwy 88, you have missed the turn to Omo Ranch Rd.)

As I was finishing up breakfast one of the locals came in and said that an empty logging truck (carrying his trailer) had just hit a black bear about 5 miles East of Cooks.
He said that there was oil or diesel all over the road and that the logging truck was stopped in the East bound lane and blocking traffic. He also said that he thought it was probably going to be closed for awhile while they cleaned up the mess.
The local asked if I was going that direction (East), to which I said no, I was headed to Omo Ranch Rd. But… I decided to go check out the accident scene since I was so close.

[m0t0-ryder]

As I headed East at about mile marker 47 I saw the bear about 2/3 of the way through a straight section off to the right side of the road and sand and dirt all over the road through the next corner.
There was no sign of the logging truck itself.

As I continued past the bear and through the corner I saw a CHP cruiser behind the logging truck which had been pulled over to the right. It looked like his passenger side fuel tank was damaged so it was probably diesel spill under the sand/dirt that the county had already thrown down.

I turned around and continued back to the bear for a photo.
It was kinda sad to see this guy laid low by such an accident.

[m0t0-ryder]

Back to Omo Ranch Rd…

Then I proceeded back West on Hwy 88 to the Omo Ranch Rd turn towards Sopiago Springs.
It was a beautiful day to spend up here. In the 70’s and clear blue skies.

The following are picturess of the turns from Hwy 88 to Sopiago Springs Resort with their GPS co-ordinates.

Looking across Hwy 88 and into the turn onto Omo Ranch Rd.
38° 31.688’ / 120° 26.535’

[m0t0-ryder]

Continuing down Omo Ranch road you get to the North South Road turn.
I didn't see any North South road sign.
There is a sign saying this is the direction to PiPi OHV area.

Looking across Omo Ranch Rd and the right turn onto North South Road
38° 32.017’ / 120° 27.043’

[m0t0-ryder]

Continue down North South Road until you get to the Sopiago Springs turnoff.
(about 1.7 miles or so)

You will see the stump to the left with the reflectors on it just before getting to the Sopiago Springs access road.. .that exits to the right.

Looking down North South Rd and at the right turn onto Sopiago Springs access rd.
38° 32.369’ / 120° 26.765’

[m0t0-ryder]

Follow this access road until you see the Sopiago Springs Resort entrance (to the left, behind my bike in this photo)

Sopiago Springs Entrance
38° 32.253 / 120° 26.537’

[m0t0-ryder]

Here is the final GPS reading in this post...

Sopiago Springs Stage area
38° 32.344’ / 120° 26.498’

[m0t0-ryder]

When you enter Sopiago Springs Resort area proceed up to the first left while staying on the recently layed in gravel roadway. The gravel is a little thick in some areas but I don’t think it should be a problem getting any type bike in.
Here’s a photo looking back past the shop at the entrance road…

[m0t0-ryder]

There is a dirt road/path going left before the gravel left turn but that takes you right onto the stage/field area. Stay on the gravel roads.

There are two gravel covered roads going to the left towards the stage camping areas.
The first one goes past the upper camping and the second one goes past the pool. This is a loop road and you can take either. They both go to the lower camping which is behind the stage area.

Tim aka TOT, (who had offered his yard to tent campers) has the cabin that is furthest from the Stage area. (maybe a couple of hundred yards).
Here is where you tent campers need to make your first decision…
Camp down at the campsites near the stage/field area (or in the field itself as there is lots of room there) or set up camp at Tim’s cabin yard.
FYI.. the restrooms are down by the stage/field.
Here’s a panorama of Tim’s place and the stage/field areas…

[m0t0-ryder]

Next, The Facilities…

Restrooms:
Near the stage/field you will find the restroom facility.
(can be seen behind stage in previous panorama as well as in the picture below)
This good sized building has a Mens and Womens side.
There is currently one working commode (only) in each side. Hopefully we will get a sink and possibly a shower or two working by Oct 29
There are about 4-5 sinks and I believe 3 showers in each side. (none currently flowing water)
There is also 3 toilets and 3 urinals on the mens side and about 5 toilet stalls on the womens side. (again, only 1 working each, so far)
I didn’t see much of a supply of toilet paper. This may be kept elsewhere or may be taken care of by the time we arrive. You may want to pack your own “just in case”.
You can see the restroom facility up behind the stage in this photo…