Downtown Markleeville
A couple of eateries on the left side and the general store. On the right is the Creekside Lodge (where I stayed) and Ali's Cafe.
Climbing CA89 a few miles south of Markleeville.
The only time I wore long sleeves the entire two days was on the first 5 miles of the second day.
Recent forest fires have denuded the nearby hills.
East Carson River flows below.
Climbing toward Monitor Pass on CA89
Bagely Valley is in the background.
Leviathan Peak (8942ft) rises above Monitor Pass (8321ft)
View back toward the false pass and Reynolds Peak (9679ft)
Chris Larkin parks his bike at Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass
My first pass of the second day
CA89 descends high above Slinkard Valley
View back toward the western wall of Slinkard Valley
At CA89 and US395
Passing the row of cottonwoods on US395 near Coleville
Although the shoulder was not always comfortably wide, most traffic left me plenty of space when passing.
Woman tows a kiddie trailer on the opposite side.
The shoulder is adequately wide but with a rumble strip to be avoided!
18 miles to my next turn
The Meadowcliff sits below Centennial Bluff.
I stayed at The Meadowcliff on my last trip through the area.
Entrance to The Meadowcliff
Passing Walker Country Store as I enter Walker, CA
Passing by the Toiyabe Motel in Walker
Passing the West Walker Motel in Walker
Passing the Sierra Retreat Motel in Walker
Walker General Store
I stopped here on my way into town on my last trip.
I start up the West Walker River Canyon.
West Walker River still flows strongly.
Through a narrow section of Walker River Canyon
Heat rash on my left thigh
I get this on my thighs when the hot sun shines directly down on my thighs. It's not sunburn but a rash due to heat. Unfortunately, sunscreen doesn't block infrared radiation.
Approaching Sonora Junction
Starting west, toward home, on CA108
Does this sign warn of 26% upgrades or downgrades?
Passing the Marine Mountain Warfare Training Center
Pickel Meadow
Tower Peak (11755) from Leavitt Meadow
View down to Leavitt Meadow
as I climb one of the steep switchbacks on the way to Sonora Pass. Leavitt Meadow is below.
On the climb up the steep part above Leavitt Meadow
In the background are a distant Tower Peak (11755ft), and at center right, Leavitt Peak (11569ft).
The Marines are doing their mountain training.
I was passed at the steepest part of the climb by four trucks of the type seen at the edge of the road.
Sonora Peak (11459ft)
The final push up the east side of Sonora Pass
A small waterfall on Sardine Creek continues to flow.
Almost there!
At Sonora Pass (9624ft)
Descending the Golden Staircase
Vista Point
Relief Peak (10808ft) at left, and Granite Dome (10320ft) at center.
Tourists (at left) watch me ride past a vista point.
Descending through the Rock Window
on one of the steepest parts of the western descent.
Rolling through Eureka Valley n ear Dougals Picnic Area
An inadequate shoulder
but to make up for that, traffic was occasional, leaving me the entire road most of the time.
A small lenticular cloud high above
Old Strawberry Road
Since I didn't need to stop for refreshment in Strawberry, I decided to take Old Strawberry Road through Strawberry.
Kids attempt to navigate a rapids.
At least the water was low in the South Fork Stanislaus River.
I exit CA108 onto Middle Camp Road in Sugarpine.
At Big Hill Road in Twain Harte
Typical section of Big Hill Road
as it traverses the southern flank of the big hill.
Final descent on Big Hill Road into Columbia
