Sierra Nevada Adventures Multi Day Rides

Yosemite Adventure 3-Days

YOSEMITE ADVENTURE RIDE 3-Days

Yosemite ADVENTURE ride EXPLORES two amazing historic OFF-ROAD wagon routes from the 1800s. Today these amazing OFF-ROAD wagon routes appear much as they did back in their heyday when ADVENTUROUS prospectors gave up on mining gold in favor of mining tourism in the world-renowned Yosemite National Park. Your OFF-ROAD adventure ride explores these two historical wagon routes to view spectacular waterfalls, massive granite cliffs, and world-class scenery with ADVENTURE around every corner.

Your adventure ride begins in the historic California Gold Country, where you will explore a combination of scenic back roads and twisty canyon roads that extend beyond the horizon. Before long you will arrive in the small town of Coulterville, where the entire town is a historic landmark consisting of 42 buildings dating back to the California Gold Rush. Coulterville was established in 1849 by George Coulter who constructed a small store to sell supplies to the prospectors in search of gold in the surrounding area. During its heyday, Coulterville was a major gold mining and supply town with 25 saloons, 10 hotels, and boasting to have the “crookedest railroad in the world.” The original “Whistling Billy” locomotive now stands under the local hangman’s tree next to the museum in town. In the late 1800s, Coulterville became a popular stopover for Yosemite-bound tourists after the Coulterville Yosemite Toll Road was completed.

The historic Coulterville Yosemite Toll Road was the first wagon route into Yosemite Valley which opened in 1874 as a toll road for tourists to visit the majestic Yosemite Valley. During this time, a trip from San Francisco took several days to reach Yosemite Valley so, a stopover in Coulterville became a must-stop since it was the last town on the route.

Beyond Coulterville, your off-road adventure begins as you explore the historic Coulterville Yosemite Toll Road. As you travel east, you soon leave the signs of civilization behind as you venture into the forest. Many miles beyond town you will find yourself at a small clearing in the forest just beyond a stream crossing where the tourist of the 1800s would have their last stopover before venturing into the wilderness. At this location, stood the once-famous Bower Cave Hotel which was a prime tourist stop for travelers from around the world including John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt. If you’ve ever read John Muir’s writings about his summers spent in the Sierra and the wonderful adventures he had, then you’re probably familiar with the name Bower Cave. This natural cavern was once inhabited by Native American Mi-Wuk Indians, then discovered by gold miners in 1856, then rediscovered in the late 1800s by the hotel owners and tourists on their long journey to Yosemite. The owners of the Hotel had discovered the acoustics of the cave were excellent, so they constructed a bandstand, dance floor, and a wooden stairway into the cave to provide music for their guests. Bower Cave soon became a must-stop for tourists during this time and became well known for its unique musical entertainment which was held inside Bower Cave.

Your off-road adventure continues as you explore beyond Bower Cave and into the wilderness where the early day tourists of the 1800s traveled by horse and carriage to experience the majestic Yosemite Valley. You can’t help but wonder the struggles these early tourists endured as you explore deeper into the forest with every twist of the throttle. Before long you make your way up the ridge overlooking the mighty Merced River Canyon which provides long-distance views of the snowcapped High Sierra. After exploring the historic Coulterville Yosemite Toll Road, you will have the opportunity to venture into Yosemite Valley where you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular granite cliffs and waterfalls imaginable. Just around the corner your first sight of the majestic valley comes into view as Half Dome seems to suddenly jump out of nowhere. From this point, it’s difficult to keep your eyes on the road due to spectacular scenery in all directions. If you’ve never been to Yosemite, you’re in for a treat as the waterfalls are in full glory and the thundering sounds of waterfalls echo off the granite walls. You will have the opportunity to walk up close and view some of the tallest waterfalls in the world and feel the mist from these mighty waterfalls. You will also have an up-close look at the world-famous Half Dome and the majestic El Capitan. After spending some time on the beautiful valley floor visiting some of the world’s tallest waterfalls you will have the opportunity to ride the twisty Merced River Canyon to the historic town of Mariposa for your night just stay.

Day 2 of your adventure explores the south entrance along the scenic Wawona Road past the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias home of the Grizzly Giant. The Grizzly Giant Sequoia tree has a diameter at the base of nearly 30 feet with a height of over 200 feet and an estimated age of 2,700 years. This giant sequoia tree is among many giant sequoias that grow in several ancient groves within Yosemite National Park.  Beyond the Grizzly Giant, your adventure ride travels a scenic curvy road past pristine meadows, lush forest, and granite domes on your way to Glacier Point for a spectacular panoramic view. Glacier Point overlook provides a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley, thousands of feet below, and an aerial view of Yosemite Falls, Vernal, and Nevada Falls, including an amazing view of Half Dome and granite peaks as far as the eye can see. After your visit at Glacier Point, your adventures descend into the valley floor to view other amazing sites before venturing back to Mariposa for your second night's stay. 

Day 3 of your adventure begins in Mariposa and ventures up the Merced River Canyon into Yosemite Valley and beyond to Hetch Hetchy Valley. You will travel the twisty curvy road in the Tuolumne River Canyon on your way to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir which is hidden in Yosemite National Park’s peaceful northwest corner. Hetch Hetchy was once a spectacular glacier-carved valley, with towering cliffs and waterfalls cascading onto a serene valley floor. Pioneer conservationist John Muir called it a "remarkably exact counterpart" to the now world-famous Yosemite Valley and one of the earth’s most beautiful places. Due to its glacier-carved U-shape, Hetch Hetchy was one of the more hospitable locations in California's rugged Sierra Nevada. Native Americans are thought to have inhabited the valley year-round. The name "Hetch Hetchy" is derived from the Mi-Wok word “hetchetci”, describing seeds from a prominent grass growing in the valley and from which a mush was made. When Yosemite National Park was created in 1890, Hetch Hetchy Valley was to be protected "in perpetuity". But in 1913, the United States allowed, for the only time in our history, a single city to appropriate one of our national parks for its own exclusive use. When President Woodrow Wilson signed the Raker Act on December 19, 1913, he permitted San Francisco to build a dam in Yosemite National Park’s spectacular Hetch Hetchy Valley. Today, most of the park’s 4 million, annual visitors go to the spectacular Yosemite Valley, unaware that the similar Hetch Hetchy Valley to the north even exists.

Although John Muir was unsuccessful in preventing the construction of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, his rigorous campaign resulted in the creation of an international environmental conservation movement. As he explained to a distraught friend, “The long drawn out battle work for Nature’s gardens has not been thrown away. The conscience of the whole country has been aroused from sleep, and from outrageous evil compensating good in some form must surely come.” Muir was right. Only three years later, public outrage over the seizure of Hetch Hetchy Valley caused Congress to pass the National Park Service Act. This act ensured that our parks would be preserved and managed for the enjoyment of all Americans. So, in many ways, the desecration of Yosemite also inspired our nation’s conservation movement and no such intrusions in our parks have been allowed since.

Beyond Hetch Hetchy, your adventure continues to explore deeper into the Tuolumne River Canyon on a steep twisty curvy narrow road to a small bridge crossing downstream of Hetch Hetchy. From the bottom of the canyon, the narrow road continues its twisty curvy route up the north side of the canyon to a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by coniferous forest. Beyond the beautiful mountain lake, your adventure explores possibly the most remote paved road to or from Yosemite National Park, back to the gold country where your adventure began.

Event Details:

Multi-Day Tour: (15 to 20 riders with 20 riders max)
This adventure ride is designed for (650cc+) to (1250cc+) adventure bikes.
Off-road terrain is rated easy, mild to moderate with some moderately challenging and lots of adventure!
Ride distance approx.: 575 miles round trip (85 miles dirt roads)
Gas stops (135-mile range required)

MEETING TIME: 8:30 a.m. (ride starts at 9:00 a.m.)
MEETING LOCATION: Chevron Jamestown CA.
18151 CA-108 Jamestown CA. 95327
The ride returns to Jamestown CA. (approx. 5:00 p.m.)

Note: Yosemite Park entry fee not included.

MEALS: (Meals not included)
Breakfast and Dinner at restaurants. 
Bring water, snacks, and lunch.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS: (Hotels not included)
Riders are responsible for booking their hotel reservations 
FRIDAY and SATURDAY NIGHT HOTEL: Mariposa CA.
- Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway 4994 Bullion St. Mariposa CA 95338
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel 4999 CA-140 Mariposa CA 95338
Additional hotels are available in Mariposa CA.

OPTIONAL HOTEL Prior to Event: (Hotel not included)
Riders are responsible for booking their hotel reservations.
-Jamestown Railtown Motel 10301 Willow St. Jamestown CA 95327
-Country Inn Sonora, 18730 CA-108, Jamestown CA 95327
Additional hotels are available in Jamestown CA.
Truck/trailering your bike? Please make accommodations with your hotel.

OPTIONAL CAMPING (Camping Not included)
Recommended to make camping reservations in advance.

QUESTIONS email: info@SierraNevadaAdventures.com

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