Lifes2short....Ride the World
- Thread starter l84toff
- Start date
l84toff
Well-known member
With Tigger already fixed up (actually I snuck back to San Ramon over the weekend to pick up my bike from the dealership before heading back for all that fun in the sky in Fresno), I headed out on my own again for a couple of days. Mike and Kati were heading to Lake Powell the most direct route and I wanted to head over the Sierras.
Mike's expertise of everything California became obvious to me within the first couple of hundred miles as I managed to fill up at the most expensive gas station around. Not to mention I had to pay attention to the GPS again.
Sonora Pass was closed the previous week from the winter still, so I was looking forward to taking a new pass over the mountains. It was nice to have Tigger in tip top shape again and fresh rubber on the rear. The previous tire had kept me company for 18,000km's (11,250 miles), and still had some miles left on it. I'm really liking the Heidenau K60's. The front has over 33,000km's (20,625 miles) at this point and I expect it to last to 50,000km's (or about 30,000 miles). As long as you don't need to do a tire change on the road, these things are fantastic.
Sonora Pass did not disappoint. No vehicles to speak of and as twisty as anything I've ridden in California. Just a blast.
I really can not get enough of the Sierras.
I ended up camping at Twin Lakes for the night. Beautiful spot with the snow capped mountains acting as a backdrop. As I was setting up my tent, I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye. I turned around to see a deer walking past not 10 feet from me.
The next day started out by taking my breath away, on more than one occasion actually and for different reasons. It turned out to be a really long day, mostly on account of my own stupidity.
After stopping to stare at that scene above for far too long, I continued south along to 395. Of course I just had to turn into Mammoth Lakes when I saw the sign. Y'all know what's in Mammoth Lakes right? Shat's Bakkery of course. Lots of chocolates, mouthwatering sandwiches...you know the place.
They even give you a cookie with your sandwich. Need I say more?
Much nicer backdrop for the second half of that sandwich.
So Mike had mentioned the Bristlecone Pines during a conversation. Some of these trees are 5000 years old. When I saw the sign, I just had to pull in and take a look.
It was eerily quiet here, I can only describe it as a sound-proof room, only it's outdoors and the views are stunning.
One of the most unique places I've ever visited.
I saw one person on the trial the entire time.
So before I left on this little hike, I checked out the sign in the parking lot. It indicated that this hike is pretty strenuous and that it's about an hour long. So I thought nothing of it and took off in my motorcycle pants, moto boots and a t-shirt with camera in hand (for my 1 hr hike). Had I read the rest of the sign clearly I would have caught that the big loop is actually a few hours to hike. So I found myself out there for about 3 hours wondering if I was heading back or heading away on this trail. Not a soul in sight, me with no water, no shade from the sun (have I mentioned it was a beautiful sunny and hot day?), oh and I was at about 10,000 feet. I also didn't bring my phone - so no way to tell the time and no compass. Just me and Stupid along for a hike.
The path was full of switchbacks and elevation changes that are not for the faint of heart. I considered turning around and heading back the way I came but really didn't relish the thought of having to climb all those hills again. Luckily enough, and perhaps by design for dumb-a$$es like me, they built the trail in a loop. So after another half hour, my blistered feet and I found ourselves back at the parking lot downing pretty much all the water I found on the bike. After a brief rest I hit the road again. I didn't intend on spending so much time here and because I was meeting Mike and Kati at Lake Powell the following day, I still had a long way to go today. A quick stop for dinner in Vegas, I finally pulled into a Casino & Hotel in Mesquite AZ by around 9pm. Completely exhausted from my 14 hour day. Had one of those funny but sad chuckles walking to my room. My room was 3 wings over from the lobby and 57 rooms down the hall(s). "Of course" I thought. I've been in smaller airports than this.
Mike's expertise of everything California became obvious to me within the first couple of hundred miles as I managed to fill up at the most expensive gas station around. Not to mention I had to pay attention to the GPS again.
Sonora Pass was closed the previous week from the winter still, so I was looking forward to taking a new pass over the mountains. It was nice to have Tigger in tip top shape again and fresh rubber on the rear. The previous tire had kept me company for 18,000km's (11,250 miles), and still had some miles left on it. I'm really liking the Heidenau K60's. The front has over 33,000km's (20,625 miles) at this point and I expect it to last to 50,000km's (or about 30,000 miles). As long as you don't need to do a tire change on the road, these things are fantastic.
Sonora Pass did not disappoint. No vehicles to speak of and as twisty as anything I've ridden in California. Just a blast.
I really can not get enough of the Sierras.
I ended up camping at Twin Lakes for the night. Beautiful spot with the snow capped mountains acting as a backdrop. As I was setting up my tent, I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye. I turned around to see a deer walking past not 10 feet from me.
The next day started out by taking my breath away, on more than one occasion actually and for different reasons. It turned out to be a really long day, mostly on account of my own stupidity.
After stopping to stare at that scene above for far too long, I continued south along to 395. Of course I just had to turn into Mammoth Lakes when I saw the sign. Y'all know what's in Mammoth Lakes right? Shat's Bakkery of course. Lots of chocolates, mouthwatering sandwiches...you know the place.
They even give you a cookie with your sandwich. Need I say more?
Much nicer backdrop for the second half of that sandwich.
So Mike had mentioned the Bristlecone Pines during a conversation. Some of these trees are 5000 years old. When I saw the sign, I just had to pull in and take a look.
It was eerily quiet here, I can only describe it as a sound-proof room, only it's outdoors and the views are stunning.
One of the most unique places I've ever visited.
I saw one person on the trial the entire time.
So before I left on this little hike, I checked out the sign in the parking lot. It indicated that this hike is pretty strenuous and that it's about an hour long. So I thought nothing of it and took off in my motorcycle pants, moto boots and a t-shirt with camera in hand (for my 1 hr hike). Had I read the rest of the sign clearly I would have caught that the big loop is actually a few hours to hike. So I found myself out there for about 3 hours wondering if I was heading back or heading away on this trail. Not a soul in sight, me with no water, no shade from the sun (have I mentioned it was a beautiful sunny and hot day?), oh and I was at about 10,000 feet. I also didn't bring my phone - so no way to tell the time and no compass. Just me and Stupid along for a hike.
The path was full of switchbacks and elevation changes that are not for the faint of heart. I considered turning around and heading back the way I came but really didn't relish the thought of having to climb all those hills again. Luckily enough, and perhaps by design for dumb-a$$es like me, they built the trail in a loop. So after another half hour, my blistered feet and I found ourselves back at the parking lot downing pretty much all the water I found on the bike. After a brief rest I hit the road again. I didn't intend on spending so much time here and because I was meeting Mike and Kati at Lake Powell the following day, I still had a long way to go today. A quick stop for dinner in Vegas, I finally pulled into a Casino & Hotel in Mesquite AZ by around 9pm. Completely exhausted from my 14 hour day. Had one of those funny but sad chuckles walking to my room. My room was 3 wings over from the lobby and 57 rooms down the hall(s). "Of course" I thought. I've been in smaller airports than this.
Last edited:
l84toff
Well-known member
Reflections at Lake Powell
Needles, Hoover Dam, and now Lake Powell. I was starting to connect the dots along the colorado river.
What another stunning place. Lake Powell is man made and I'm told it has more coastline than all of the United States. It was once a stunning canyon much like the Grand Canyon.
Sunrise from my campsite on the lake. I'd say it's still pretty stunning!
Mike mentioned that they usually slow down and relax when they come to Lake Powell so I was looking forward to just kicking back. This is us hiking...I mean relaxing up Cookie Jar Rock.
Long way up.
The view climbing up was fantastic. You can see Kati in the bottom right of the pic.
It's pretty cool to see all these tiny eco systems thriving on what is essentially all rock with a little tiny bit of dirt.
We finally made it to the top.
Brilliant colours.
Proof I was there
.
Another first for me - a floating outhouse. It's actually much nicer than just a regular outhouse. You simply dock your vessel and then drop your other vessel at this floating port-o-potty. They keep this place afloat with your donations.
You'd think a lake this size would add some humidity to the air. Nope. It was what I call stupid-dry out here. Even the falling rain never made it to the ground. It simply evaporated on the way down.
Mike & Kati know all the good spots here. Of course the water level changes so much every year that all the places they know also change. So it's kind of a new adventure every time they come. We had this island oasis all to ourselves one night.
I suffered through another blissful night camping in this Paradise.
The next day we went for another cool hike down a rather large slot canyon
Amazing stuff to be out here.
Needles, Hoover Dam, and now Lake Powell. I was starting to connect the dots along the colorado river.
What another stunning place. Lake Powell is man made and I'm told it has more coastline than all of the United States. It was once a stunning canyon much like the Grand Canyon.
Sunrise from my campsite on the lake. I'd say it's still pretty stunning!
Mike mentioned that they usually slow down and relax when they come to Lake Powell so I was looking forward to just kicking back. This is us hiking...I mean relaxing up Cookie Jar Rock.
Long way up.
The view climbing up was fantastic. You can see Kati in the bottom right of the pic.
It's pretty cool to see all these tiny eco systems thriving on what is essentially all rock with a little tiny bit of dirt.
We finally made it to the top.
Brilliant colours.
Proof I was there
.Another first for me - a floating outhouse. It's actually much nicer than just a regular outhouse. You simply dock your vessel and then drop your other vessel at this floating port-o-potty. They keep this place afloat with your donations
.You'd think a lake this size would add some humidity to the air. Nope. It was what I call stupid-dry out here. Even the falling rain never made it to the ground. It simply evaporated on the way down.
Mike & Kati know all the good spots here. Of course the water level changes so much every year that all the places they know also change. So it's kind of a new adventure every time they come. We had this island oasis all to ourselves one night.
I suffered through another blissful night camping in this Paradise.
The next day we went for another cool hike down a rather large slot canyon
Amazing stuff to be out here.
l84toff
Well-known member
Re: Reflections at Lake Powell
We kept seeing beaver tracks everywhere and followed the tracks to this guy.
Mike found a really nice spot to stop for the night.
This one was a bit of hike to get to the top, thought the view was worth it. I didn't bring the camera when I came to set up the tent at sunset, much to my regret. I ran back down to the boat but by the time I got back it was all but over.
Another fantastic camp spot.*
View from the tent in the morning.
What an amazing time this past few weeks with Mike & Kati. I dare say the most fun I've had on the entire trip has been out west with them. Lori and I can't thank you guys enough for your hospitality.
As tempting as it was to stay longer, I was missing Lori quite a bit and felt like I should make my way home. Mike and Kati dropped me back off at the marina later that morning and I was off.
Somewhere on the road in Colorado.
7 degrees Celsius (45F) at 11,000 feet crossing the Continental Divide, with lots of snow behind the sign.
Skirted this pretty large looking cell here. Rain finally caught up with me somewhere through Missouri.
Initially I had plans on checking out the North Rim, Bryce and Arches but for some reason when I got back to the bike, I just felt like putting down miles instead of sightseeing. So 3 days and 3254km's (2034 miles) after leaving Page AZ, I was back in Brantford. Home for the summer.
We kept seeing beaver tracks everywhere and followed the tracks to this guy.
Mike found a really nice spot to stop for the night.
This one was a bit of hike to get to the top, thought the view was worth it. I didn't bring the camera when I came to set up the tent at sunset, much to my regret. I ran back down to the boat but by the time I got back it was all but over.
Another fantastic camp spot.*
View from the tent in the morning.
What an amazing time this past few weeks with Mike & Kati. I dare say the most fun I've had on the entire trip has been out west with them. Lori and I can't thank you guys enough for your hospitality.
As tempting as it was to stay longer, I was missing Lori quite a bit and felt like I should make my way home. Mike and Kati dropped me back off at the marina later that morning and I was off.
Somewhere on the road in Colorado.
7 degrees Celsius (45F) at 11,000 feet crossing the Continental Divide, with lots of snow behind the sign.
Skirted this pretty large looking cell here. Rain finally caught up with me somewhere through Missouri.
Initially I had plans on checking out the North Rim, Bryce and Arches but for some reason when I got back to the bike, I just felt like putting down miles instead of sightseeing. So 3 days and 3254km's (2034 miles) after leaving Page AZ, I was back in Brantford. Home for the summer.
l84toff
Well-known member
Re: Flying with the West Coast Ravens Formation Team
Thanks Kiwi. California is probably one of the few places you'd find one of those still driving down the street (and in great condition).
Thanks Kiwi. California is probably one of the few places you'd find one of those still driving down the street (and in great condition).
