Sierra Nevada in September: A Pashnit Ride of Elevated Proportions

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It was September, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and our Pashnit Tour set off to explore.

First order of business to check out Knights Ferry. The Longest Covered Bridge in California. Yes, they have covered bridges even in California. This one was built in 1862. Until a flood, the bridge upstream was lifted off its moorings and literally floated downstream and destroyed the existing bridge. For the most part, the entire town also lay in ruin.

The existing one you see here was built to replace the destroyed bridge, and completed in 1864 which is what you see here. Vehicle traffic actually passed over the bridge until 1981. (More history of the bridge on the CA Moto Roads webpage)



Now picture this...



Knights Ferry is located right along Hwy 108 as you ride into the Sierras, easily missed, but worth the quick stop to check out the small museum and walk across the bridge.

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Pieces from the powerhouse and mill that used to be here years back.



Old Millstone

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Then off to ride Hwy 49 from Coulterville to Bear Valley, better known to the locals as the The Little Dragon.

View of the northern half- that intersection at top left is Coulterville (Hwy 132 & Hwy 49)


View of the southern half- the southern view point where the pics are taken is at center-right





Vince on the ST1300




Tony & Stephanie



Hwy 49 - The Little Dragon as seen from the southern viewpoint with Don's Speed Triple

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Version 2




The usual variety of bikes on the tour... Don's Triumph Speed Triple and Tony's V-Strom

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Cathy's CBR 599




Requisite close ups of the section of Highway 49. Remember that this short section is just one tiny glimpse of this road that runs for 330 miles through the Sierra Nevada Foothills on up to Yuba Pass.

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The panoramic looking north across the Sierra Nevada Foothills....

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After assailing the Little Dragon, it was off to Oakhurst to scoot into Yosemite National Park on Hwy 140. That's Mono Lake in the background btw. This is a shot of the entire Sierra Nevada range around Yosemite NP. You can actually see Half Dome in this one at top-center. Hwy 120 - Tioga Pass runs easterly at right.



Ah lunchtime, so off to lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley.




Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite NP




Walking path outside the historic Ahwahnee Hotel

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Glacier Point you say? Cathy, John & Don.

I really like this pic.




Cathy & Don overlooking Yosemite & Vernal Falls



Vince

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The closeups



See the bridge?



Don & Tim