2 Days 750 miles over Sierras to Lone Pine and back

[ducatimike]

My son came back to the Sacramento area after the Moto Gp for a few days for a visit and then had to get back to his home in San Diego. I decided to join him and we took a trip up over Carson Pass (Hwy 88) to Markleville for lunch then up over Monitor Pass (Hwy 89) to Rte 395 and down to Lone Pine. The eastern side of the Sierras are spectacular as they tower over 14,000 ft over the highway.

Lone Pine is an interesting town as many old Western movies were shot there and some modern ones also. John Wayne spent many a day in Lone Pine and the locals have stories about talking with him. The actors enjoyed shooting movies there as they would not get mobbed by the locals since there seemed to always be a movie being shot.

The Lone Ranger was born there and many of his movies were also shot around the town and also in Death Valley. The town is now visited by many foreigners who enjoy going to Death Valley (dont know why anyone would visit there in the summer, 119 Degrees when we were in Lone Pine).

The next day, my son rode down to San Diego and I rode back up through Yosemite (Hwy 120) and through the foothills to home. Here are a couple of pics of the ST and my sons rocket ship taken near the top of Monitor Pass.

Mike

[Darbone]

This is freakin' wierd but I saw you guys at a gas stop. I was riding a black Harley Ultra Classic loaded w/ camping gear and thought it strange there would be 2 Ducatis out there.

I was riding back to Arizona after being at the MotoGP and visiting friends near San Jose. I did 1120 miles in 20 hours.

[ducatimike]

Where abouts did we cross paths?
Mike

[Darbone]

I wish I could tell you. I'd never been there before but it was a general store w/ gas pumps and I thought it strange there were 2 Ducati's out there. (I have a 900SS) You were pulling in as I was leaving. I had ridden through Yosemite, through the pass and down past Mammoth on my way to San Bernadino

[ncgt1000]

No hijack intend but . . . ". . . and down past Mammoth on my way to . . .". My brother-in-law and sister run Mammoth Brewery. It's not often I see any reference to Mammoth anywhere.

They make some good stuff!

[YellowDuckee]

Not to hijack either... The whole 395 corridor from Olancha up to Mammoth Lakes is incredible. Recently, I towed my 996 and dirt bike up to the Mammoth area and spent four days fishing and riding bikes. Some great rides... hwy 120 at Mono Lake down through Benton Crossing. Another is old 395 from Tom's Place to Bishop. Serious on camber tight turns with little traffic.
Lone Pine has some great fishing spots and hiking is unmatched (Mt. Whitney).
I am thinking about a three day ride thru Death Valley this Fall which would pop me out around Lone Pine. That area makes living in Cali almost bearable.

[ducatimike]

We stopped in Bridgeport for gas and I think also in Bishop. The 1098 doesnt have the range of my ST4. Hope you had a good ride all the way home to AZ.

I used to take a yearly ride through Death Valley in the 70's on my BMW. Back then there werent many people in the park. Now it seems it really attracks the foreigners. I think the spring time is the best time to go as the flowers really come out especially like this year when they had a lot of rain.

We had dinner in Lone Pine and they serve the beer made at that brewery in Mammoth. Good stuff!

Mike

[Bill_Anderson]

I am a member of the South Bay Riders Forum (SBR). Its members ride over that way quite often and have posted some really great photo threads of their trips. The Death Valley area is very popular for off road riding. I hope to make it down there one of these years.

[scott]

Sounds like part of the route all of us did over to Bridgeport last September, love that whole area! I am thinking we should do it this year and return over Tioga.

[ducatimike]

September is probably a better time to go over Tioga pass. When I came home it was packed with tourists as it is part of Yosemite National Park.
Mike