Have you ever wanted to experience the beauty of riding through the Sierra Nevada mountains on a motorcycle? I did just that on my BMW R1200 GS. Here are the details from Day 6 on my 53-day motorcycle adventure from Arizona to British Columbia.
Riding Solo | AZ to BC | Episode 7
Details
- Distance: 180 miles
- Location: California
- Start: Beardsley Reservoir, California
- End: Markleeville, California
- Roads: Carson Pass, CA-88
- Conditions: pavement
- Cities: Sonora, Jackson
- Camping: Toiyabe National Forest
Motorcycle Camping on a Reservoir
I wake up in a steep rocky canyon on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, approximately 7 miles from Highway 108. There is a small campground further up the road but I chose to sleep on a small turnout next to the reservoir.
Beardsley Reservoir
After a relaxing morning at the campsite, I get to ride my motorcycle back across the Beardsley Reservoir dam.
Archie Stevenot Bridge
A highlight of my ride on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains is crossing the Stevenot Bridge which carries State Route 49 over New Melones Lake between Calaveras and Tuolumne.
Bert Lund Memorial Overlook
The Bert Lund Memorial Overlook is a scenic viewpoint in Amador County. Bert Lund was an employee of the California Department of Highways who was responsible for highway maintenance of the Sierra passes.
Highway 88 winds its way up the foothills of the Sierra Nevada before crossing Carson Pass at 8,574-foot elevation. Farther east, Highway 88 connects with Highway 395 in Nevada, south of Carson City.
Carson Pass is a great motorcycling road across the Sierra Nevada mountains with less traffic than some of the other passes. This ride on CA 88 has huge valleys with massive ridges of exposed granite and high-elevation lakes that freeze over in winter.
Markleeville Creek
I’m camping next to a creek near Markleeville, California – a small town in Alpine County with a population 191 people (2020) and an elevation of 5436 feet.
Aquaquest Safari Tarp
My AquaQuest Safari Tarp protects me from a light rain that is falling in the mountains.
Bushcraft Saw
My 7 ½ inch Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw makes short work cutting a stick to raise the center of my tarp a little bit higher.
Pineapple Teriyaki Dinner
Teriyaki rice and pineapple, prepared with my MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove and GSI Outdoors Micro Table.