Drove down south for a visit and took a few back roads on the way down and back. Didn't take many pictures. None from the way down, but a few from the way back. So I thought I would share a few of those. The California back roads are pretty nice and sure beat the freeway for scenery. The next day in Palm Desert I went to a New Years party and people asked what route I took and how long the drive was. No one knew the little back roads and they didn't really understand how an 8 hour trip on the freeway took half as long again. But I guess you have to like motoring.

Went down 101 to Hollister and took 25 to 198 to Peachtree to San Miguel and Paso Robles, then out Creston to 58 to McKittrick. Had the roads almost to myself. Peachtree is mostly one lane so had to keep an eye out for oncoming ranchers in pickups. Stopped for lunch at the old Paso Robles Inn. While driving through the town center I heard young woman exclaim "Look a Mini Cooper, I want one." The Mini gets all the attention. The Mini got weightless over the whoops-de-doos near Simmler. I didn't know Minis could fly. My GPS recorded the velocities that were achieved. Got to 58 and I5 about dark and took Freeways the rest of the way. The windshield of the Mini got sprayed by oil coming out of some old Bronco that was having a breakdown and I had to stop to clean it so I could see where I was going. Not too fun at night in the windy mountain parts of 58, but got to Palm Desert before cerfew.

While down there I took a drive up Palms to Pines and over to Anza. On the way back I went to Wrightwood. The snowboarders were out in a big way. Angles Crest was closed due to a wash out and some endanged frog. So I took Big Pines Highway to Valyermo then up to Mojave. Big Pines had lots of snow on the roadside. Did you know that Highway 14 between Palmdale and Rosemond runs due north? My GPS gave a heading of 000. After Mojave I took Highway 58 to Caliente Bodfish Road and up to Lake Isabella. I stopped in Havilah to check out the school and court house and read the Clamper plaque. Next I stopped in Kernville for coffee and a treat. A gentleman was checking out my Mini so we chatted a bit. It seems people everywhere recognise the Mini. Next I headed up Kern River road to Roads End just to find out that it was snowed in after Johnsondale. At least the park ranger saved me another 10 miles up a dead end. So I went back to Kernville and took Highway 155. What a twisty road that is. One decreasing loopback after another. I felt like I was driving on the left front tire. After Glennville I took Jack Ranch and some other tiny little road to Old Stage and Porterville. After that it was getting dark and time to run out 190 to 99 and drone home.

Here are a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCLeonard -
I have had the pleasure of driving on ALL of the California roads you mention! Highways 25 - 198 - 58 (new pavement) - all very good. Did you ever try Highway 229 from 58 to Creston to 41 - WOOHOO!!

Caliente-Bodfish to Lake Isabella and then Kernville. 155 over the pass and down into the Bakersfield area - did that too.

The one area I still want to explore is out of Porterville on 190 and then the back roads in the Sequoia park - probably this summer.

 

Highway 229 is a roller coaster. Didn't take it this time but have before.

The Mighty 190 out of Porterville is a great piece of road. I was going to take it down from Johnsondale this trip, but the summit of Parker Pass was snowed in. I have also been over Sherman Pass, but it is always closed in winter.

The roads around Sequioa are good. I have been on 69, 180, 198, J21. All worth doing.

 

Enjoyed your story and photos. I loved the hilly back roads in California too. The road from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella was especially interesting. I would not like to drive it on a rainy day; those boulders don't look especially well attatched on the cliff face above the highway. My trip traversed some of the route you took:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=54808

 

Read your write up. Looks like you got a pretty good sampleing of California backroads. There are a lot of good ones.

I came across some mud and rubble in the roads, but the crews are pretty good at cleaning up right after a slide. I guess there is the chance of being there when a boulder lets go, but I was more concern with cows on the road in some places. There were a few in blind corners.

Know what you mean about wanting lights that turn. I went on some roads that had first gear uphill switchbacks that where so tight and steep that you could almost look out the sun roof to see where the road went. Maybe I will check in to some rally lights so I can get out there more.

 

Michael,

These are some great photos and the "ride" looks great. You have to do some run planning for REME. If you do, let me know and I'll help with some recon work.

 

Thanks Norm. I'm always up for doing a run. You guys have been pretty good at finding the roads I would have chosen plus a few new ones.

 

Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!