Stories and Press

Stories and Press
EASTERN CALIFORNIA EXCURSION (A.K.A. STEALING SADDLE TIME) Taking time out on a business trip for a little high desert rambling By Mark Uth During a visit to the Left Coast last year, we managed to carve out some quality time for a little trail riding in the High Sierras, hosted by Nevada Motorcycle Adventures (NMA) owner and free spirit Matt Ernst, a late spring ride was planned. Using a rustic lodge as our base of operations, we were surrounded by a host of scenic country, including Yosemite National Park, Toiyabe National Forest, Inyo National Forest and adjacent BLM lands. It turns out NMA has recently gained approvals for running rides in this area, and Matt was nearly as stoked as we were for the opportunity to do some exploring. This corner of California offers the patented scenic vistas of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains as well as numerous points of interest, such as abandoned mines, ghost towns, hot springs, canyons and the like. Matt met the crew with four venerable DR350’s machines in tow, which provided competitive performance and carefree operation. After a couple of hundred miles in the saddle, we’d have to admit that the DR350’s might well be the perfect high desert trail-riding mount. Timing for the ride provided some surprises and the realization that this is not southern California! High elevations made for cool June temperatures, with daytime highs from the upper 50s to low 60s. Additionally, greater than normal precipitation and accumulated snow served to block many high mountain passes. However, we were there; itching to ride and not much worried about a little cool or inclement weather (editors note: you can count on great riding in the area throughout the summer and into late fall; this winter’s heavy precipitation was no doubt an aberration.) The reality of this fact was driven home as a full-fledged blizzard materialized and dropped three inches of snow in the area. Naturally, as Northeasterners, this bothered us little, and we just asked Matt about the Trelleborgs! The fresh white stuff took little time melting in the early morning sunshine, allowing us the opportunity to test the terra firma proper. Cool temperatures did however prevail during our stay, making an enduro jacket a must-have at all times. The eastern California terrain was mostly composed of open prairie covered with stout sagebrush that literally lined the edges of all trails and roads (and center of some). The portly trunks of sagebrush easily grow several inches in diameter while the bush itself only attains a height of a couple of feet. As a result, any off-trail excursions were a risky adventure at best. Unaccustomed to the sage, I was taken aback by the flowery fragrance emitted by these abundant desert weeds. Naturally, there were significant elevation changes as trails that originated above 6,000 feet often wound their way to well above 11,000 feet. Throughout there were miles and miles of two-track trail riding across the coarse sandy soil with intermittent rock outcroppings, rocky washes, etc. Most mountain climbing was done in acceptably gradual chunks, however, you could easily find some challenges, if you were looking. While the coarse sand handled water fairly well, occasional hard packed sections offered a thin line between great tacky conditions and tricky slickness. We spent a couple of days criss-crossing deserts and mountains, playing in snow banks, and drinking in the incomparable mountaintop scenery. Matt interspersed the route with mines and other relics of the Old West, as well as natural wonders like mineral deposits, volcanic craters, springs, waterfalls and the like. Had we had more time, we might even have spent a day on the pavement, tackling the Tioga Pass in Yosemite. In all, we had great riding and an all around fun time that was a total piece of cake to set up, especially in spite of our limited and last minute arrangements. If you’re considering a ride out west, the high desert of California and Nevada offer a viable alternative to Baja, especially during summer months. While summertime temperatures in Baja will cook the paint off your frame rails, the high elevations in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains offer ideal riding conditions. Many also report a greater variety in riding terrain as well. NMA has the credentials to be the perfect guide and host. This story was written by Mark Uth, technical editor for TRAIL RIDER MAGAZINE It was published in TRAIL RIDER in 1995

EASTERN CALIFORNIA EXCURSION

(A.K.A. STEALING SADDLE TIME)

Taking time out on a business trip for a little high desert rambling

By Mark Uth

During a visit to the Left Coast last year, we managed to carve out some quality time for a little trail riding in the High Sierras, hosted by Nevada Motorcycle Adventures (NMA) owner and free spirit Matt Ernst, a late spring ride was planned. Using a rustic lodge as our base of operations, we were surrounded by a host of scenic country, including Yosemite National Park, Toiyabe National Forest, Inyo National Forest and adjacent BLM lands.

It turns out NMA has recently gained approvals for running rides in this area, and Matt was nearly as stoked as we were for the opportunity to do some exploring. This corner of California offers the patented scenic vistas of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains as well as numerous points of interest, such as abandoned mines, ghost towns, hot springs, canyons and the like.

Matt met the crew with four venerable DR350’s machines in tow, which provided competitive performance and carefree operation. After a couple of hundred miles in the saddle, we’d have to admit that the DR350’s might well be the perfect high desert trail-riding mount.

Timing for the ride provided some surprises and the realization that this is not southern California! High elevations made for cool June temperatures, with daytime highs from the upper 50s to low 60s. Additionally, greater than normal precipitation and accumulated snow served to block many high mountain passes. However, we were there; itching to ride and not much worried about a little cool or inclement weather (editors note: you can count on great riding in the area throughout the summer and into late fall; this winter’s heavy precipitation was no doubt an aberration.)

The reality of this fact was driven home as a full-fledged blizzard materialized and dropped three inches of snow in the area. Naturally, as Northeasterners, this bothered us little, and we just asked Matt about the Trelleborgs! The fresh white stuff took little time melting in the early morning sunshine, allowing us the opportunity to test the terra firma proper. Cool temperatures did however prevail during our stay, making an enduro jacket a must-have at all times.

The eastern California terrain was mostly composed of open prairie covered with stout sagebrush that literally lined the edges of all trails and roads (and center of some). The portly trunks of sagebrush easily grow several inches in diameter while the bush itself only attains a height of a couple of feet. As a result, any off-trail excursions were a risky adventure at best. Unaccustomed to the sage, I was taken aback by the flowery fragrance emitted by these abundant desert weeds.

Naturally, there were significant elevation changes as trails that originated above 6,000 feet often wound their way to well above 11,000 feet. Throughout there were miles and miles of two-track trail riding across the coarse sandy soil with intermittent rock outcroppings, rocky washes, etc. Most mountain climbing was done in acceptably gradual chunks, however, you could easily find some challenges, if you were looking. While the coarse sand handled water fairly well, occasional hard packed sections offered a thin line between great tacky conditions and tricky slickness.

We spent a couple of days criss-crossing deserts and mountains, playing in snow banks, and drinking in the incomparable mountaintop scenery. Matt interspersed the route with mines and other relics of the Old West, as well as natural wonders like mineral deposits, volcanic craters, springs, waterfalls and the like. Had we had more time, we might even have spent a day on the pavement, tackling the Tioga Pass in Yosemite.

In all, we had great riding and an all around fun time that was a total piece of cake to set up, especially in spite of our limited and last minute arrangements. If you’re considering a ride out west, the high desert of California and Nevada offer a viable alternative to Baja, especially during summer months. While summertime temperatures in Baja will cook the paint off your frame rails, the high elevations in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains offer ideal riding conditions. Many also report a greater variety in riding terrain as well. NMA has the credentials to be the perfect guide and host.

This story was written by Mark Uth, technical editor for TRAIL RIDER MAGAZINE

It was published in TRAIL RIDER in 1995