My wife and I drove over Sonora pass on July 4th, 2016. It was 108 degrees in Sacramento when we left, and it was 50 degrees at the top of the pass. when coming over the Nevada side, it was raining all the way to Reno on our loop back to Sacramento. that was a cool daytrip for sure...
Thank you for the road trip. With gas being so expensive nowadays I just sit on my couch and take the trips. Thanks to people like you For putting in the time and effort. I used to do a lot of downhill skateboarding on that road. Super fast
We live in rural Northeast Alabama,we are in an area known for its covered bridges ,we even have a yearly covered bridge festival here in Blount county. in the last few years,our closest covered bridge,Horton mill above was attacked by vandals,it reopened then closed again.,it sits over a tall opening for the creek far below.beautiful ride.Nice to see your grandpa paticipate in the videos.
On my first bike tour in 1980 I rode from Redwood city & over Sonora Pass. I then crossed Tioga pass for the return to Redwood City. It took my 6 days to complete this trip.
13:45 A splendid example of what sort of landscape was originally here along the central Sierra before the Sierra Batholith began to rise up through it. Those outcrops at the top of those ridges are all basalt, forming a roof pennant _through_ which the granite plutons rose up, and _continue_ to rise. A gorgeous example of what sort of igneous rock existed here before the Sierra Range began to push through it.
Another great video of my favorite pass in the Sierra, Sonora Pass. I've traveled this route many times over the years, my wife and I watch the California Mountain Highways website for opening and closing dates. We always make it our annual pilgrimage in the spring on first openings. Just to bad the snow really limits what you can do above about 7000 feet in the early openings. There is a wonderful shaded picnic area at the pass on the north side with a pit toilet available. The PCT crosses there. Just a really beautiful area of the Sierra. Thanks for the great video.
When I was a kid, we would drive up it with our pickup and camper. We always made it but would have to climb it with the "granny " gear. Saw a person try to bring his travel trailer over the pass, but he failed.
I can kind of see why never did a road video of Sonora Pass- downhill grades as steep as 26%- yipes! Also odd is it's not often mentioned that Sonora Pass is located on the Great Basin Divide- meaning drainage on the West side of it eventually go to the Pacific via the Stanislaus & San Joaquin Rivers while drainage on the East side drains into Walker Lake in Nevada via the Walker River- with no outlet. Thanks for mentioning it.
While it is technically in Alpine County, the Tuolumne County line is only about 250 feet to the south of the pass. But Alpine County has no presence west of the crest. They have Tuolumne County provide all law enforcement, medical aid, and other services both along the short section of Hwy108 and along the Clarke Fork Road area. It would take Alpine County services 2-3 hours to drive around from Markleevile to the pass or the Clarke Fork campgrounds but no more than an hour for Tuolumne units.
I was told that there is a rattle snake problem near the bridge. Apparently, many years ago a movie was filmed there and the actors were warned about possible rattle snake infestation. So not sure how true or if it is an urban legend.
10:40 One would think that glaciers probably shaped the landscape here, especially with a lake positioned at the foot of the valley. At 5,000 ft elevation it's a pretty good assumption to make.
Good. Lord. I'm looking at your grandpa in profile at the beginning while he's driving, and I swear I'm looking at ME! There's almost no friggin' difference! Frightening. I've got a doppelgänger.
Are there any signs that say “Truckers, don’t be fooled! You won’t fit through the curves ahead. Turn around now or you’ll likely wind up jackknifed!”?
There’s plenty of signs from as far as 60 miles away on the west side in the Central Valley. There’s warning signs along US-395 approaching the junction with 108 on the east side warning people as well. No semis can use this road whatsoever.
Just this July, 2024, someone got their truck and *long* trailer stuck on a sharp turn up in the vicinity of Kennedy Meadows. Might have been a 26' U-Haul. Amateurs.
Ha, I'm surprised Tuolumne County hasn't thrown a hissy fit over not having full jurisdiction of Sonora Pass by now. I've been over Sonora Pass once, and never will again because of how steep and windy the road is (makes Tioga Pass look like nothing).
I wonder what would happen if you were pulled over by a Tuolumne County sheriff there. I guess you can legally fight it in court over the grounds that he is outside his jurisdiction.
@@InterstateKyle You probably could challenge it in court. Which begs the question of would Alpine County really be that dumb to keep that one tiny section of hwy for themselves to patrol when they know all too well that it'll take at least an hr to get from Markleeville down to the Walker area, and then another hr just to get up to pass level and do laps on just that section?
Those look like Teva sport sandals, so if you were going to go hiking while wearing sandals, those would be a good choice. Better than flip-flops or slides …
Beautiful video Kyle. Question: We were planning a trip on this same route next month, but the grades & curves look a little daunting. Do you some idea how many total miles the steep/sharp portions are? And is it both sides or mainly the east side?
Thanks Mark! It is steeper on the east side but the west side is nothing to overlook either. The grade coming out of Kennedy Meadows is really steep too. The steep grades and sharp curves go for about 20-25 miles on Sonora Pass.
@@mark99kA lot of automatics - at least many rental cars - have a “sport mode” or “mountain mode” that makes it easier to control your descent down a steep slope. Usually, you’d slide the gear selector to a side that might be labeled with + and -. Then pull toward you to downshift. The engine may race, but it’s better than burning out your brakes. At the bottom, press forward to shift up a gear, or slide the shifter back to center for typical driving.
Funny, but the scenery had a positive, calming and soothing effect while watching your video. That's what I call beautiful!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
My husband is part of the crew that paved the highway there. They received commemorative hats.
That’s so awesome. Thank you so much for sharing this. :)
My wife and I drove over Sonora pass on July 4th, 2016. It was 108 degrees in Sacramento when we left, and it was 50 degrees at the top of the pass. when coming over the Nevada side, it was raining all the way to Reno on our loop back to Sacramento. that was a cool daytrip for sure...
Ur such a great grandson! I love your videos with grandpa! Great info
Thank you for the road trip.
With gas being so expensive nowadays I just sit on my couch and take the trips. Thanks to people like you For putting in the time and effort. I used to do a lot of downhill skateboarding on that road. Super fast
We live in rural Northeast Alabama,we are in an area known for its covered bridges ,we even have a yearly covered bridge festival here in Blount county. in the last few years,our closest covered bridge,Horton mill above was attacked by vandals,it reopened then closed again.,it sits over a tall opening for the creek far below.beautiful ride.Nice to see your grandpa paticipate in the videos.
On my first bike tour in 1980 I rode from Redwood city & over Sonora Pass. I then crossed Tioga pass for the return to Redwood City. It took my 6 days to complete this trip.
13:45 A splendid example of what sort of landscape was originally here along the central Sierra before the Sierra Batholith began to rise up through it. Those outcrops at the top of those ridges are all basalt, forming a roof pennant _through_ which the granite plutons rose up, and _continue_ to rise. A gorgeous example of what sort of igneous rock existed here before the Sierra Range began to push through it.
Another great video of my favorite pass in the Sierra, Sonora Pass. I've traveled this route many times over the years, my wife and I watch the California Mountain Highways website for opening and closing dates. We always make it our annual pilgrimage in the spring on first openings. Just to bad the snow really limits what you can do above about 7000 feet in the early openings. There is a wonderful shaded picnic area at the pass on the north side with a pit toilet available. The PCT crosses there. Just a really beautiful area of the Sierra.
Thanks for the great video.
Beautiful drive and I love the snow…especially when it’s not where I live! 😂
Thanks Elizabeth!
When I was a kid, we would drive up it with our pickup and camper. We always made it but would have to climb it with the "granny " gear. Saw a person try to bring his travel trailer over the pass, but he failed.
16:34 I'm still surprised there is still snow at this time of year
We had a very wet winter this year that’s for sure.
There was over 20 feet of snow on the ground and 35 feet in some places in February or March.
I can kind of see why never did a road video of Sonora Pass- downhill grades as steep as 26%- yipes!
Also odd is it's not often mentioned that Sonora Pass is located on the Great Basin Divide- meaning drainage on the West side of it eventually go to the Pacific via the Stanislaus & San Joaquin Rivers while drainage on the East side drains into Walker Lake in Nevada via the Walker River- with no outlet. Thanks for mentioning it.
While it is technically in Alpine County, the Tuolumne County line is only about 250 feet to the south of the pass. But Alpine County has no presence west of the crest. They have Tuolumne County provide all law enforcement, medical aid, and other services both along the short section of Hwy108 and along the Clarke Fork Road area. It would take Alpine County services 2-3 hours to drive around from Markleevile to the pass or the Clarke Fork campgrounds but no more than an hour for Tuolumne units.
I consider this one of the best motorcycle roads in the country.
I’m sure it’s a fun ride! 😎
Better than the "Dragon" LOL. Beautiful!
@@joybledsoe1813 I just looked up The Dragon. WOW. Looks fun.
I was told that there is a rattle snake problem near the bridge. Apparently, many years ago a movie was filmed there and the actors were warned about possible rattle snake infestation.
So not sure how true or if it is an urban legend.
10:40 One would think that glaciers probably shaped the landscape here, especially with a lake positioned at the foot of the valley. At 5,000 ft elevation it's a pretty good assumption to make.
Fantastic . How about Himalayas. You may please see Zanskar playlist which has videos of transe himalayan roads 👍👍
Good. Lord. I'm looking at your grandpa in profile at the beginning while he's driving, and I swear I'm looking at ME! There's almost no friggin' difference! Frightening. I've got a doppelgänger.
At least your grandpa isn't wearing socks with those sandals!😁
You should see his tan lines on his feet.
If he had natural brown/beige wool socks, he’d fit right in in Colorado!
Nice video
Thank you!
Are there any signs that say “Truckers, don’t be fooled! You won’t fit through the curves ahead. Turn around now or you’ll likely wind up jackknifed!”?
There’s plenty of signs from as far as 60 miles away on the west side in the Central Valley. There’s warning signs along US-395 approaching the junction with 108 on the east side warning people as well. No semis can use this road whatsoever.
Just this July, 2024, someone got their truck and *long* trailer stuck on a sharp turn up in the vicinity of Kennedy Meadows. Might have been a 26' U-Haul. Amateurs.
Ha, I'm surprised Tuolumne County hasn't thrown a hissy fit over not having full jurisdiction of Sonora Pass by now. I've been over Sonora Pass once, and never will again because of how steep and windy the road is (makes Tioga Pass look like nothing).
I wonder what would happen if you were pulled over by a Tuolumne County sheriff there. I guess you can legally fight it in court over the grounds that he is outside his jurisdiction.
@@InterstateKyle You probably could challenge it in court. Which begs the question of would Alpine County really be that dumb to keep that one tiny section of hwy for themselves to patrol when they know all too well that it'll take at least an hr to get from Markleeville down to the Walker area, and then another hr just to get up to pass level and do laps on just that section?
Those look like Teva sport sandals, so if you were going to go hiking while wearing sandals, those would be a good choice. Better than flip-flops or slides …
Beautiful video Kyle.
Question: We were planning a trip on this same route next month, but the grades & curves look a little daunting. Do you some idea how many total miles the steep/sharp portions are? And is it both sides or mainly the east side?
Thanks Mark! It is steeper on the east side but the west side is nothing to overlook either. The grade coming out of Kennedy Meadows is really steep too. The steep grades and sharp curves go for about 20-25 miles on Sonora Pass.
@@InterstateKyle Thanks! Do you thnk it'd be a bad idea to attempt it with an automatic transmission?
@@mark99kA lot of automatics - at least many rental cars - have a “sport mode” or “mountain mode” that makes it easier to control your descent down a steep slope. Usually, you’d slide the gear selector to a side that might be labeled with + and -. Then pull toward you to downshift. The engine may race, but it’s better than burning out your brakes. At the bottom, press forward to shift up a gear, or slide the shifter back to center for typical driving.
Whats the speed limit out there in 108 highway??
The second-highest mountain pass in California? I think not! I have backpacked over a dozen passes in the High Sierra that are higher!!
Driving to fast. Can't enjoy scenry