Sunday, August 17

I just completed my last trip.  A 648 mile journey into the southern Sierras.  Along with a stop at an old friend's house.  3 more stamps in the collection.

I left at 5:00 in the morning.  The trip up to Sequoia NP was fairly routine, up CA-99 to CA-65 and CA-198.  I showed my pass at the booth to get into Sequoia NP.  The trip up the General's Highway is fun.  A good number of 10 mph (posted speed) hairpin turns.  Traffic was very light, only 3 cars to pass around (the drivers pulled over in 2 of them).  I made it to Lodgepole at 8:20.  On the way, the road goes through a portion of the Giant Forest.  A museum is occupying the remnants of the old Giant Forest Village.  The store, cafeteria, cabins, lodge, and campground have been removed.  The other campgrounds north of the Giant Forest have been enlarged and a new lodge built just north of Lodgepole.  I remember staying in the cabins several times in the past years.

I got my stamp, relaxed a little bit, and then was on my way.  The road to Kings Canyon NP moves along quickly.  I made it to Grant Grove in a short while.  I got my stamp at the VC and then headed down the road into the grove.  I took the picture at Grant Grove of two twin sequoia trees.  It is hard to get a feel for the size of these giants from the picture.  They just are freakin huge.

CA-180 provided the exit from Kings Canyon NP.  Down the hill it went, ending up in Fresno.  A turn north on CA-41 brought me back up into the Sierras for Yosemite NP.  Traffic sucked until after Oakhurst.  Then it magically cleared up and it was quick riding up to the park entrance.  Flash the pass again, and into the park I went.  I went to the Wawona Information Station to get the stamp.  I bought a new passport book there for my car trips, since I would be retiring this book when I got back home.  I then returned to the entrance station and went into the Mariposa Grove of sequoias.  I snacked on some ice cream under the trees and enjoyed the shade.  Even at 4,000' it was in the mid-90's.  I left at 1:30 to go to Coarsegold and visit with my friends.

I stayed in Coarsegold for several hours.  It was plaesant to just relax and enjoy the afternoon.  Before I knew it, it was time to leave.  For an escape from the busy CA-41, took CR-415 north to Raymond, then CR-600 down to Madera.  Great roads.  Almost no other cars.  Nice sweeping curves that I took at a decent speed.  Smooth pavement, too.  Motorcycling nirvana.  All too soon, I was back at CA-99 for the trip home.  Typical Sunday evening traffic, as people were heading back to LA.  Lane splitting through the construction zone in Santa Clarita, really made me appreciate the bike.  The cars and trucks had around 10 miles of stop and slow, I had 10 miles of slow and go.  I made it home at 9:45.

Total time in the saddle was 11:16.  Average speed while moving was 57.5 mph.

Map:   Streets & Trips file

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