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Sierra Passes?

davidji said:
Ebbetts, Sonora & Tioga typically closed, but it wouldn't be surprising if Ebbetts & Sonora passes opened some time in April.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/clsdlst.htm
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packnrat said:
the good passes to ride open in in april to may.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/clsdlst.htm

here is the data of past years close and open dates. :afm199



.
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I should have clicked david's link sooner. I assumed it was for current closures, shame on me.

Thanks to the both of ya.
 
If things remain the same we will be riding them early this year. Plenty of rain down here, very little snow up there. As much as I love riding up there I sure would like it to be under about 12 feet of snow right now.
 
Wormwood said:
If things remain the same we will be riding them early this year. Plenty of rain down here, very little snow up there. As much as I love riding up there I sure would like it to be under about 12 feet of snow right now.
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I'm gonna hedge my bets and take the boys down south. I've never ridden down there, so it'll be fun to explore. But the passes will be ridden come summer.
 
It gets VERY hot in four corners. The roads aren't particularly fun from what I remember.
 
Should be opening up very early this year. Snow pack at 15 percent of normal. Sad for the drought, joyful spring runs for us. :ride
 
Has anyone taken County Road 41 (Kennedy Meadows Road) across the Kern Plateau in the Southern Sierra, north of Kernville? I've enjoyed 88/89, 4, 120, but would like to try something different, especially as part of the Spring BARF Rally.
 
I did that years and years ago. I took it from the eastern side off of 395 (one of those "someday I'm going to take that road" things, so one day -- I did).

It turned to dirt up near a campground. I only recall a small store, a nearby campground, and a bunch of dirt bikes.

I doubt with the highway funds surplus that we've been running over the years has convinced the powers to pave beyond that.

So, unless you're on a DS bike, that's kind of a no starter right there.

The paved portion was "ok" in terms of quality, it was pretty narrow, and was built along the side of a canyon, so one side of the road had a bit of a steep drop.
 
Nemo Brinker said:
Has anyone taken County Road 41 (Kennedy Meadows Road) across the Kern Plateau in the Southern Sierra, north of Kernville? I've enjoyed 88/89, 4, 120, but would like to try something different, especially as part of the Spring BARF Rally.
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Sherman Pass. I tried to back on November 8th but was met with this site at 8,000 feet and the signs said it went to 9,000 feet so I turned around and went back. Didn't feel like crashing my big FJR by myself, at night...just didn't sound fun. Was pretty bummed I couldn't continue on that way so look forward to any pics you might take when you do it yourself.
 

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Yea, looking at the Googles, my trip must have passed the Shermans Pass road. Looks like a neat road to run.
 
berth said:
I did that years and years ago. I took it from the eastern side off of 395 (one of those "someday I'm going to take that road" things, so one day -- I did).

It turned to dirt up near a campground. I only recall a small store, a nearby campground, and a bunch of dirt bikes.

I doubt with the highway funds surplus that we've been running over the years has convinced the powers to pave beyond that.

So, unless you're on a DS bike, that's kind of a no starter right there.

The paved portion was "ok" in terms of quality, it was pretty narrow, and was built along the side of a canyon, so one side of the road had a bit of a steep drop.
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That canyon road off 395 is called Nine Mile Canyon and it is, indeed, steep.

Sherman Pass is a huge ton o' fun! It is paved all the way through, most of it is good but a lot of it dirty and bumpy and high-consequence…perfect! Lots of trail crossings over it with some 4WD trails and dirt roads coming off of it everywhere. Rex, you would love it if you had time to explore it! Some of the best singletrack California has to offer is down on the Kern Plateau :thumbup




WoodsChick
 
Sherman Pass it is! I do have a dualsport, and am very excited to cruise around that area and explore. Thanks for the tips, guys! As always I'm thankful for ya and for my Benchmark Atlas for producing geographical inspiration.
 
Nemo Brinker said:
Sherman Pass it is! I do have a dualsport, and am very excited to cruise around that area and explore. Thanks for the tips, guys! As always I'm thankful for ya and for my Benchmark Atlas for producing geographical inspiration.
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Get yourself an OHV Trail Guide for the Kern Plateau from the Cannel Meadows Ranger District. Sherman Pass Rd cuts right through the riding area and there are tons of beautiful places to explore and camp, all of which you could get to on your DR. Bonita Meadows, Paloma Meadows, and the South Fork of the Kern are wonderful! Beach Meadows is stellar, too, if you don't mind a longer ride on a totally doable dirt road. Fish Creek campground towards the eastern side is nice, too, since there's an actual creek there.

Bonita Meadows…
P1000824.jpg



Fish Creek…
P1020088.jpg





SequoiaLovin'Chick
 
*swoons*
I'll get the guide you mentioned, thanks Woodschick. I love discovering blank spots on my personal map from the saddle of my bike.
 
Nemo Brinker said:
*swoons*
I'll get the guide you mentioned, thanks Woodschick. I love discovering blank spots on my personal map from the saddle of my bike.
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One more thing…that area has the largest concentration of alpine meadows in the entire Sierra range. Spring comes late up there, and July is usually the best month for flowers and such. Also, we've seen bobcats and coyotes on the road, and I had a bear run right in front of me while coming down the backside of Sherman Pass Vista Point.




WoodsChick
 
Are there good places to camp or does it get crowded on the weekends?
 
I spoke with a ranger down there earlier this week. She said that Sherman Pass usually opens in late April, but with the small amount of snow this year it may be as soon as April 1 if the weather allows. (Confirmed it was not an April Fool's joke.)

I may be able to provide opening day intel...:teeth
 
I figure it has to be record early opening for the passes. The plants around here are freaking out. I imagine the meadows up there will be in bloom quite early.
 
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