Jonesin for a Ride!

My friends say I eat too fast, what do you think…..

The day started out clear, and stayed that way.  Perfect!

Game plan was to do Carson Pass(88) west to highway 49 south, then east onto Ebbett’s Pass (4).  Twenty four years ago I did Ebbett’s, but never Carson Pass, so was interested in seeing something new and if Ebbett’s changed much.

Carson Pass

Headed out US 395 south to State Route 88 west for Caron Pass, named after Kit Carson.  It was an easy climb and I was at the summit in no time.  Stopped at few lakes, and a place for a quick cup of coffee and a sandwich for breakfast.

A lake near the summit and where I had breakfast

Place for coffee and breakfast near the summit

The road was smooth and fast as they are just putting on the finishing touches of a resurfacing.  Sweet easy sweepers all the way down towards highway 49.  Once on the eastern slope of the Sierras, the temps rose to about high 80’s to low 90’s.  I was going to go to highway 49, but changed my course for a road less traveled and cut across on Highway 26 to Railroad Road to Avery Sheep Ranch Road – which eventually got me to Highway 4.  This less traveled road before highway 4 turned into small streets that changed down to single lane – just what I liked as I hardly saw any cars.

Once on 4 we started climbing again with all the other cars on the road.. as we climbed and passed each small town and resort, the traffic thinned till we neared the start of the long grade to the top, then I felt I was the only one on the road.

The start of the summit climb to Ebbetts Pass

A break along highway 4

Summit #2 – Ebbettt’s

Not a cloud in the sky.  Since I was arriving earlier than I planned, I wanted to do another pass by Larry’s house, called Mt. Rose – that has a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe.  So now to tag three for the day.

The sign says it all…

Pictures can never do justice of how this really looks. Click on images for full size

Beautiful morning to start.. Here’s to hoping for a clear day on the passes.

start of the ride – and clear skies 🙂

Arrived in the Reno/Carson area around 5:30 pm.  The ride from Mammoth to Larry’s place was greeted with on and off showers, some heavy at times but short lived.

After a relaxing night at Larry’s we were up early to catch a Mtn bike ride before the heat.  We left about 8:00 am to do the Brown Creek Trail loop just out the back of his house.  

We had about a 1.5 mile climb with a sweet down hill with creek crossings, ledges, hike-a-bike and some boney technical areas.

looking for the line to take in the field ahead

It was smokey from the big fire in LA in the desert.  Had a dual effect.  Kept the direct sun off, which made it a bit cooler, but the visibility wasn’t as good.  Pretty much smokey from Kramer Junction to almost Bishop.

Had to put on the rain gear as it look threaten looking towards mammoth from my gas stop in Bishop.  Did hit some hard showers on the climb to Mammoth, and it has been off on on since.  Now at a coffee break in Bridgepot.

threatening skies were no lies

stoping for coffee

the house is the coffee shop 🙂