It is a great ride I almost got to do... bummed out when I went, this last July I got caught up in a snowstorm. I wasn’t sure how the bike was going to handle in the snow, as it was starting to stick, and got worried. I was constantly wiping the snow away with my hand, and after while I thought about lighting the bike on fire to get warm (j/k about this.... well it did cross my mind but I would never do it) but keep trucking down the road. After awhile I found a semi-truck on the road and tucked in behind the truck and rode S-395 down to that casino in Bishop. Got warmed up, and rode the last couple hours home to hear about the freak storm, and see the web cameras (the pass was completed covered in snow about 2 hours after I left).

This trip was the second time I decided to ride two up as well, the bike handled great (me 180 lbs, her 140) and the little snow didn’t seem to bad, as I didn’t go flying off into the banks. There is a bunch of area around there to see with the lakes and other scenic areas. I plan on going back, just not sure when as I moved to Texas, but I will go back and do one of their climbing classes. Oh one last thought, when I left home (Kern County for those who are familiar with the area, about 3 1/2 hours away) it was hot and I decided not to take the liner that goes into my riding jacket, when I was trying to out ride the storm, came up over deadmans pass (nice name) which if I remember is over 9,000 feet... I really wish I had packed the liner... food for thought.

I spent two summers on the Tioga Pass and over at Mono Lake's Mountains of the Moon, 1966 and 1967. In 1967 we were training a guy name Neil Armstrong on how to maneuver a device called the Lunar Lander amongst the volcanic ash and rocks. The rest they say, is history...

The country there is still beautiful, what a place the ride a VFR if you are short on a lunar landing module!!

Also, the movie "Nevada Smith" starring Steve McQueen was also shot between Tioga Pass and Sonora Pass.

great country and a great ride!!

Thanks for the memories.

p.S. Did you do the chicken dinner at Friendly's Diner in Lee Vining??

ace :beer: