Sierra Passes

Anyone have any local/inside knowledge on when Ebbetts Pass might open? I've checked all the usual websites which say late June to early July, but they haven't really changed since the original post in May.

89 through Lassen is still closed too.

I was hoping to catch both of those on a trip starting on the 24th.

TIA

Article in today's San Jose Mercury News about the Sierra passes.... not a lot of detail but it's something:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/15/snowbound-california-roads-still-getting-a-major-plow-job-5/

Mr. BR

Mr. BR said:

Article in today's San Jose Mercury News about the Sierra passes.... not a lot of detail but it's something:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/15/snowbound-california-roads-still-getting-a-major-plow-job-5/

Mr. BR

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Thanks Mr. BR!

Sounds like Lassen will be out of the question for week after next. But there could still be hope for Ebbetts!

Big heat (as in damn hot) next week may help but don't hold you breath for Lassen. I hear Laporte Rd is open if you are looking for a fun road

Have a great trip Adam, nice riding on them 'thar roads!

Bugnatr said:

Big heat (as in damn hot) next week may help but don't hold you breath for Lassen. I hear Laporte Rd is open if you are looking for a fun road

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...oh sure, open it up when I'm back north. I see how y'all are!

--G

Bugnatr said:

Big heat (as in damn hot) next week may help but don't hold you breath for Lassen. I hear Laporte Rd is open if you are looking for a fun road

Click to expand...

Laporte Rd is already on the agenda.

https://koczarski.com/Motorcycles/Trips/20170624WeSTOC22Recon/Trip.htm

escapefjrtist said:

Have a great trip Adam, nice riding on them 'thar roads!
--G

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Thanks George!

A

I rode over Sonora Pass, Monitor Pass & Carson Pass today, but the latest word is that Ebbetts Pass won't open until some time in July.

That does it. I'm moving to Arnold.

We rode up to Lake Alpine yesterday and 4 was blocked just past the east end of Lake Alpine. Not a lot of snow and the lake is almost clear of ice. July? Dag nab it! That's our favorite road.

What was Sonora pass like? Still a lot of water running across the road?

K_Flyer said:

We rode up to Lake Alpine yesterday and 4 was blocked just past the east end of Lake Alpine. Not a lot of snow and the lake is almost clear of ice. July?

Dag nab it! That's our favorite road.
What was Sonora pass like? Still a lot of water running across the road?

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Hmm. I guess we could do and out and back since we can't do a 2 pass loop when we're there week after next. The best part is between Alpine Lake and Monitor Pass though, right?

AdamK said:

K_Flyer said:

We rode up to Lake Alpine yesterday and 4 was blocked just past the east end of Lake Alpine. Not a lot of snow and the lake is almost clear of ice. July?

Dag nab it! That's our favorite road.
What was Sonora pass like? Still a lot of water running across the road?

Click to expand...

Hmm. I guess we could do and out and back since we can't do a 2 pass loop when we're there week after next. The best part is between Alpine Lake and Monitor Pass though, right?

Click to expand...

exactly

AdamK said:

Hmm. I guess we could do and out and back since we can't do a 2 pass loop when we're there week after next. The best part is between Alpine Lake and Monitor Pass though, right?

Click to expand...

Right! That's the fun part. There are some fun sweepers east of Murphy's and past Big Trees although CalTrans is out by Big Trees straightening out a few of the better curves.

Big Trees is worth a visit and the Aria Bakery on Main Street in Murphy's has the best coffee and pastries. We often ride there just for a treat.

Theresa reminded me that, this time of year, especially with the heat, some vicious thunderstorms can develop in the Sierras. Last July we rode up to Markleeville and, on the way back, ran into a hailstorm. The road was white and you could hear the ice crunching under the tires. We slowed down to about 45 but even at that speed, I had a few bruised spots on my hands (deerskin gloves) and on my legs (mesh pants). And it was cold going over Carson pass! We were in the hail for probably 4 to 5 miles. Make sure you have a rain over-jacket or gear.

We're heading up over Carson and Monitor tomorrow for an out and back, with a stop at Sorenson's for a bowl of beef stew.

K_Flyer said:

We rode up to Lake Alpine yesterday and 4 was blocked just past the east end of Lake Alpine. Not a lot of snow and the lake is almost clear of ice. July? :upset: Dag nab it! That's our favorite road.
What was Sonora pass like? Still a lot of water running across the road?

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I think there were 2 spots on the entire road from Sonora to Rte 395 that had water on them. It was the cleanest I've seen for a long time.

Bugnatr said:

I hear Laporte Rd is open if you are looking for a fun road

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Buck's Lake road is another in the same area. Start out past the medical clinic in Quincy. Lots of fun and less traveled than Laporte.

Not sure which I like better.

K_Flyer said:

Bugnatr said:

I hear Laporte Rd is open if you are looking for a fun road

Click to expand...

Buck's Lake road is another in the same area. Start out past the medical clinic in Quincy. Lots of fun and less traveled than Laporte.

Not sure which I like better.

Click to expand...

We're doing them all.

https://koczarski.com/Motorcycles/Trips/20170624WeSTOC22Recon/Trip.htm

That's "doing them all."

Lots of fun stuff there. That ought to raise hell with a set of tires.

FJRay said:

Lots of fun stuff there. That ought to raise hell with a set of tires.

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Just mounted a set of Bridgestone T30 EVO GTs for the trip.