How are the Sierras right now? Planning a trip soon

[rudolfs001]

I'm thinking about taking a several day trip out east to the Sierras in the next week or two. I know they've had fires and road closures lately and was hoping for an update from someone that lives out that way or has been there recently.

 

[thedub]

Can you be more specific?

There is nothing of note in the Tahoe area. Except road construction, every where all the time.

 

[rudolfs001]

I was thinking about starting around Lassen and zigzagging down south to 120., so pretty much everything between them.

 

[LakeMerrit]

108 is closed. Other than that, it's standard Sierra summer riding.

Lighter traffic with a subset of the kiddos back in school now.

 

[rudolfs001]

108 is closed. Other than that, it's standard Sierra summer riding.

Lighter traffic with a subset of the kiddos back in school now.

Ok, cool, thanks! Should I expect cold weather in the passes?

 

[ScottRNelson]

Try to ride Wentworth Springs Rd if you can. If 11 Pines is open you can ride to Foresthill, take Mosquito Ridge to French Meadows Reservoir, then French Meadows Rd to 11 Pines. If 11 Pines is still closed, you have to go to Cool and take 193 up to Georgetown. Wentworth Springs is one of those great flowing mountain roads that you have to experience at least once.

Oh wait! You did that one last time you started a thread like this. (Check if 11 Pines is open, the road from Foresthill is worth it.)

Have fun up there.

 

[banshee01]

I am heading that way also. Really hoping 108 opens as I am trying to camp at Leavitt lake

 

[RightCoastBias]

Ok, cool, thanks! Should I expect cold weather in the passes?

When I was up in the Lassen area towards the end of July, I woke up in my tent and it was 45. During the day it was quite hot. Mostly in the high 80s to mid to upper 90s.

I'd suggest bringing something to swim in and stopping for a few cool off dips in one of the many rivers/lakes you'll pass.

 

[SonoraMike]

I am heading that way also. Really hoping 108 opens as I am trying to camp at Leavitt lake

going to be awhile for 108 unfort, only ~42% containment

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/6092/

 

[banshee01]

going to be awhile for 108 unfort, only ~42% containment

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/6092/

Thanks, my backup plan is to ride hwy 4. I have 4 weeks left

 

[SonoraMike]

Thanks, my backup plan is to ride hwy 4. I have 4 weeks left

yea, you can go over 4 and then come up the backside of 108 and head west thru Pickel Meadow to get to Leavett

But I'd bet 108 would be open in 4 weeks for you

 

[davidji]

Ok, cool, thanks! Should I expect cold weather in the passes?

I'd definitely be prepared for it. Especially if you'll ride them at night or early morning, or camp nearby.

There used to be a site with hourly tuolumne meadows temperatures (measured, not forecast), but that monitoring station doesn't seem to be active anymore. There may be others in the Sierra though. Weather forecasts for the mountains are tricky, because the hit you get is often for the wrong location and elevation. And even if it's not, it's only a forecast.

If I camp in the Tioga Pass area, I prepare for freezing weather at night even in the Summer. .

 

[rudolfs001]

Wentworth Springs is one of those great flowing mountain roads that you have to experience at least once.

Oh wait! You did that one last time you started a thread like this. (Check if 11 Pines is open, the road from Foresthill is worth it.)

Have fun up there.

That I did! That time was small evening trips out of Sacramento. Now I have more time and don't have to stay the night anywhere in particular, so I explore much further abreast.

I'd definitely be prepared for it. Especially if you'll ride them at night or early morning, or camp nearby.

If I camp in the Tioga Pass area, I prepare for freezing weather at night even in the Summer. .

Yeah, that's a really good point! I'm trying to couchsurf the whole way to avoid weighing the bike down with camping gear, but that can be hard in rural areas.

 

[rudolfs001]

Any thoughts on taking Gold Lake Hwy or 89 and 49?