6 Days of Legendary Mountain Passes, Spectacular Scenery & Sierra Backcountry Adventure!

Get ready for an unforgettable motorcycle adventure through the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains of California!

The Sierra Passes Adventure Ride is a six-day journey through some of the most spectacular motorcycle riding country in America. We'll cross legendary mountain passes, explore historic Gold Rush towns, ride through beautiful alpine forests, and discover remote backcountry roads that few travelers ever experience.

Starting and finishing in Oakhurst, California, our adventure takes us on a giant loop through the Sierra Nevada, from the rugged northern mountains to the spectacular high country of Yosemite and the wild forests of the Southern Sierra.

Along the way, we'll experience everything from twisting mountain highways and towering granite peaks to remote forest roads, alpine lakes, deep river canyons, and ancient giant sequoia trees.

Legendary Sierra Mountain Passes

One of the greatest attractions of this ride is the opportunity to cross some of California's most famous mountain passes.

We'll experience the narrow, twisting roads of Ebbetts Pass, follow historic pioneer routes over Carson and Donner Passes, tackle the steep climbs and spectacular scenery of Sonora Pass, and ride across breathtaking Tioga Pass through Yosemite National Park.

Farther south, we'll explore the remote mountain country around Sherman Pass and Kennedy Meadows.

Each pass offers something different, from sweeping alpine views and beautiful mountain lakes to tight switchbacks, steep grades, and dramatic granite landscapes.

Six Incredible Days of Riding

Day 1 – Oakhurst to Topaz Lake

Our adventure begins as we head north through California's historic Gold Country before climbing into the Sierra Nevada and crossing spectacular Ebbetts Pass. We'll finish near the California–Nevada border at beautiful Topaz Lake.

Day 2 – Topaz Lake to Downieville

We'll cross historic Carson Pass, explore winding mountain roads and Gold Rush country, and enjoy backcountry alternatives before reaching the charming mountain town of Downieville.

Day 3 – Downieville to Markleeville

Today takes us across legendary Donner Pass, through the beautiful Lake Tahoe region, and into the high mountains surrounding Markleeville. Spectacular alpine scenery and adventurous route options make this another unforgettable day.

Day 4 – Markleeville to Bishop

One of the highlights of the entire ride! We'll cross spectacular Sonora Pass and climb over Tioga Pass through the magnificent high country of Yosemite National Park. Our day finishes beneath the towering peaks of the Eastern Sierra in Bishop.

Day 5 – Bishop to Camp Nelson

We'll leave the Owens Valley behind and explore the wild Southern Sierra. Highlights include Kennedy Meadows, spectacular Sherman Pass, remote mountain roads, and the rugged backcountry around Portuguese Pass before reaching Camp Nelson.

Day 6 – Camp Nelson to Oakhurst

Our grand finale takes us through the magnificent giant sequoia country of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, with an opportunity to visit the world-famous General Sherman Tree. After one last day of winding mountain roads and backcountry adventures, we'll return to Oakhurst to celebrate our journey.

Spectacular Scenery Around Every Corner

This adventure showcases the incredible diversity of the Sierra Nevada.

We'll ride through dense pine forests, alongside beautiful alpine lakes, across high mountain meadows, and beneath towering granite peaks. We'll explore historic mining communities, remote mountain settlements, and some of California's most scenic national forest roads.

Along the way, we'll experience the beauty of Yosemite, the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the giant sequoias of the Southern Sierra, and countless spectacular mountain viewpoints.

And with elevations approaching 10,000 feet, the views can be absolutely breathtaking!

Comfortable Lodging Every Night

After a full day of adventure, there's nothing better than a comfortable place to relax, enjoy a good meal, and share stories with fellow riders.

We've planned overnight stops in Topaz Lake, Downieville, Markleeville, Bishop, and Camp Nelson, returning to Oakhurst at the end of our journey.

This is an adventure ride where you can enjoy spectacular mountain riding during the day and the comforts of a motel or lodge at night.

Signup info:

The cost to join this 6 day ride is $1,295.  This covers your lodging for the 6 nights during the ride. Hotel rooms are double occupancy. This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions. Not included is the cost of meals, drinks and gas. 

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $200 Deposit  

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: 

Riders must make 50% payment by February 15th, 2027.

Riders must make full payment by April 15th, 2027.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail one week before the ride.

Refund Policy

Your ride deposit is fully refundable until the 50% payment date above.  We encourage riders to make their deposit early in order to ensure they will get a spot on the ride and to begin working on you own ride arrangements.  After making your ride deposit, you will be connected with the other riders in order to coordinate any plans or discussions you may have and just to have fun developing plans with the other riders.  If your plans change, you will receive a full refund until the 50% payment due date above.

Ride Details

 I know many of you also enjoy dreaming about the ride and making your plans, so here is the detail, enjoy! 

Choose Your Own Adventure!

One of the best features of the Sierra Passes Adventure is that you get to choose how adventurous you want your day to be.

We've designed the ride with multiple GPS route options so riders can select the experience that best matches their motorcycle, riding skills, and sense of adventure.

• 🔵 Green Routes – Scenic & Easier: Beautiful paved mountain roads, scenic highways, and easier alternatives.

• 🔵 Blue Routes – More Adventure: Backcountry alternatives, remote mountain roads, and opportunities to explore beyond the main highways.

• 🔴 Red Routes – More Challenging: Rougher, more demanding routes for experienced adventure riders looking for an extra challenge.

• ⚫ Black Routes – Optional Explorations: Special out-and-back adventures to scenic destinations and points of interest.

Whether you prefer enjoying the incredible scenery on paved mountain roads or exploring rugged Sierra backcountry, there's an adventure waiting for you.

I did an explorer's roulette  to discover some of the cool places here a couple of years ago. Below is the video from that ride.  While I have developed this into an Adventure bike ride there is still a lot in this video that is the same for this upcoming ride 

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video) 

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video) 

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple, great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of northwest Baja.

Thanks

gpsKevin

FAQ's

Q:What will the weather be like this time of year?

A: In May, the weather is most often nice, could be a little hot in the lower elevations and it can be cold in the morning and in the mountains.  But sometimes there can be rain. Wet and muddy routes can force us to change our plans.  Come prepared with extra gear for cold and wet.

Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?

A:  No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. Each evening we will study the following day's choices. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.

Q: What are motel room arrangements?

A: Rooms are double occupancy, meaning each couple or family shares a two bed room.

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin GPS?

A: Buy one, you need it, we will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for under $200 bucks. ( See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but almost everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend or me.