Highway 108 - Sonora Pass, CA
- Tim Mayhew
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Highway 108 - Sonora Pass filled my feed yesterday. It’s open. Early.
If there is one road that defines the dramatic beauty of the Sierra Nevada Range, it’s Highway 108. Reaching 9,624 feet at its summit, this isn't just a mountain crossing; it’s an alpine jewel that deserves a spot on every rider's bucket list.
The ride truly transforms once you leave the historic Gold Rush charm of Sonora behind and start climbing. This 80-mile stretch of mountain road morphs from oak-covered foothills to towering pines, eventually reaching the stark, granite-sculpted peaks of the high country. Sonora Pass is a road of extremes, boasting some of the steepest inclines in California—hitting a staggering 26% grade at the 9,000-foot level—paired with switchbacks that will test your braking and gear selection.
Don't miss Donnell Vista; it’s too easy to blow past this quick stop. Afterward, grab some ice cream at Kennedy Meadows. (there’s two! Sherman Pass got added to your bucket list a few days ago.)
The reward for navigating the repeating S-curves and steep hairpins is unparalleled. The scenery is so intensely photogenic that I’ve taken over 1,000 photos of just this stretch over the years—but the one posted here is my favorite. It captures what we do, why we do it, and how we like to do it. From the stunning vista at Donnell Overlook to the rugged beauty of the "Que de Porka" section which I’m told it means ‘Tail of Pig’, as in curly & squiggly.
It’s steep, it’s scenic, and it’s California mountain riding in its purest form.
Combine this ride with Highway 89-Monitor Pass to Markleeville and you have miles of smiles awaiting you. Plus Mountain View BBQ in Walker for lunch. Highway 4-Ebbetts Pass isn’t open yet, but you can double back on Highway 88-Carson Pass—or better yet, just turn around and ride 108 back the opposite direction.
