Hwy 108, 4, 88 which direction is your favorite?

[NorCal Factory]

I really like heading East over 108 and west over 4 up to Lake Alpine, but Heading West from 395 to the Summit on 108 is great too.

And do you prefer staying inWalker or Topaz Lake? I’ve stayed at both but wonder if there are Gems In the area.

[thepretender]

I've gone east on 4 and west on 108 as a loop on day rides 3 or 4 times this year. I suppose I should try the other way around to see if it's better. Starting finishing in Mariposa makes for a good 9 hours of turning counting time for lunch.

[matty]

West on 4, no question. 88, no opinion. East or west on 108, but I mostly go east , then go to monitor and 4, but I sometimes turn around at the flats and go back over 108.

[davidji]

The east side of the Sierra is steeper, so west tends to be the better riding directions for passes that cross the Sierra Crest. I think it's most true of 108. Not sure I've cared much which direction I'm riding on the others. Though I've only ridden 88 & 4 going east.

[NorCal Factory]

I just rode them both in the last two days. Both are great from 395 to the Summit but if you have to choose a loop...

I like 108 East because you have a longer set of curves going uphill to the summit with passing opportunities. Going East on 4 after the summit has more decreasing radius turns, road debris and traffic on a narrower road which creates risk of blowing a turn ending up being a head on.

Hwy 4 really is not great until after Bear Valley going East unless you are going 80+

They are paving 108 starting at the summit coming West with a long guided traffic zone.
The pavement was already really good but now it will be better than Laguna.

Another great route is Cherry Lake road starting off HWY 120 past Groveland and ending about two hours later in Tuolumne near HWY 108. There is a bit of loose rocks on the road so try to ride before the shadows start around 3.

[davidji]

Originally Posted by NorCal Factory

Another great route is Cherry Lake road starting off HWY 120 past Groveland and ending about two hours later in Tuolumne near HWY 108. There is a bit of loose rocks on the road so try to ride before the shadows start around 3.

It's a great way to link the two, though you're not on Cherry Lake Rd anymore by the time you hit 108. I've only ridden it from 120. I'd think I'd have to consult nav to go the other way.

[budman]

I like 4 West a bit better than east. I like Monitor that way too.

108 East a bit better than West but either way is still awesome.

[Cafe Racer]

I just did this "day trip" a month ago.

We did Hwy 4 East and then Monitor Pass. My brother and I did not encounter any cars on the way up the Sierras. On the way back we took Hwy 108 and then back to the City. I think it was a 530 mile day.

We had lunch at Walker off of 395. Nice full days ride.

[vaara]

I rode 108 eastbound yesterday (after usually riding it westbound) and am glad I did. I think that’s my new favorite direction now.

[Tom G]

What you describe is a nice 1/2 day ride. You can even have lunch in Walker, burger or BBQ.

[afm_147]

I'm that area now, staying in Sonora, and have a good loop planned for tomorrow early. If anyone else is interested, or going to be in the area in the coming days/weeks, not opposed to doing it some more?? Also considering that "Cherry Lake route" ... staying in Sonora, so my options are endless!!

My plan is a good 5-7 hour jaunt, from Sonora north on 49 transitioning to Parrots Ferry Rd, then 4E to Murphys. Murphys 49N up to Jackson. Then continue(I think?) on 49N to 88E. 88E to 89S and out to 395S. Onto the Sonora Junction, and 108W back "home" to Sonora.

There's another option in there when on 88E, to take 26 back down to 4E, and that ends up in the same area of where 88E and 89 come together, then out to 395 ... but it adds about another 1.5hrs plus!! Plus it skips over one of the sections of 89 I like, Markleeville.

Again, like I said ... options are endless for some good loops up in this area!!

[cheez]

Yeah, west on 4 is my fave. I love them all though. I've enjoyed staying in Arnold and Murphys and using that as a home base for loops and loops.

This is the day I realized I was moving to California. That's a rented Harley.

[DonTom]

Originally Posted by cheez

Yeah, west on 4 is my fave.

Same here, but it's been a while since I have taken Hwy 4 west past Mosquito Lake.

I am fairly often close to that area, as I like to ride from MarkleeVille down Monitor Pass, usually on my Zero SR electric now that I can recharge up in Markleeville.

What is the big advantage of west over east on Hwy 4? I have done each direction several times, but that was more than 20 years ago. I have ridden Hwy 4 from one end to the other a few times, I-80 to Hwy 89 or 89 to I-80.

-Don- Reno, NV

[bikeama]

Originally Posted by DonTom

What is the big advantage of west over east on Hwy 4? I have done each direction several times, but that was more than 20 years ago. I have ridden Hwy 4 from one end to the other a few times, I-80 to Hwy 89 or 89 to I-80.

-Don- Reno, NV

Going west there are two nice you can get air jumps going up. Getting air going east means I will not make the next corner. Budman know where these jumps are.

My normal is going east on 108 and west on 4. But have enjoyed going both ways.


Check the Air before you go tomorrow. The following is from a FB friend.

4:00 PM TODAY!! 9-26-2020
Tioga Pass Road at Highway 395!!
Ummm, this is getting rather Biblical!!
I am using no filters on these photos, and have not adjusted for Color on these!!
Never, Never, Ever, E-V-E-R, have I ever seen anything like this. It is now 4:20 PM, Pacific Time, and it is DARK out here. Darker right now than at 7:20 PM last night!!
And still, the nearest fire is 50 Miles away!!
YIKES!! OMG!!

[cal scott]

Those photos are very telling. I don't know what is worse, the restrictions due to the pandemic or the inability to get outside due to the fall out from the fires. The combination has been disturbing to say the least.