Anyone Ridden Through Lassen Park, Calif ?

[RTRandy]

I'm leaving Friday morning to ride through 11 States over the next 2+ weeks.

Anyhow, I'm told by someone here in Dallas that I must ride through Lassen Valcanic Park so I'm heading north from Truckee just to ride through this park. How bad can it be? Would love any words of wisdom from anyone who's been there.

From there I'll head north through Oregon to get to Walla Walla, Washington so I can head east to finally ride this Lolo pass I keep hearing about. How bad could that be as well

[iRene]

Was there en route to Redmond a few years back- and on Lolo last year. It was great early in the AM before the winnebagos were out.
Now, you have me worried... whaddya mean by "bad?"
Lassen and Lolo are a terrific cheap thrill! You don't need a GS, if that is what you mean.

[RTRandy]

It was great early in the AM before the winnebagos were out.
Now, you have me worried... whaddya mean by "bad?"
.

Bad like Winnebagos out on the road. Let's hope the traffic is light. I'll try to get an early start for sure. I can't wait to finally see these places.

[burnszilla]

This site will help you find some good roads...
http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm

[RTRandy]

Stephen,
Thanks for reminding me about Pashnit. I hadn't looked at it in a long time since I haven't riden Calif. yet. Great info and photos of Lassen. 89 looks like it's going to be a beautiful road though I'll need to stay focused here for sure.

Thanks,

Randy

[Bob_M]

I keep waiting for the "10 best motorcycling roads" thread. These two would be on it! Lassen national park consists of little other than an active (last violent eruption was around 1916) volcano with a road on it. The road is well paved and engineered like a bowl of noodles. It is more fun than should be legal. At the crest of the road the pavement necks down to a one lane bridge over a steaming sulphur vent.
Lolo Pass has a famous sign at its crest (facing west) with the squiggle symbol and the text "next 77 miles". The rhythem of the road is perfect for out sport, but the endless turn after turn requires focused concentration. I had to stop for a while and throw rocks in the Lochsaw river, because my concentration wavered. This road is the western holy grail (IMHO)
Either go late in the afternoon (it is light this time of year till 9:30) or early in the am to avoid motorhomes.

[RTRandy]

Hey Bob M,

That's encouraging. My whole ride is about searching out these great roads I keep hearing about. The RT will be loaded with system cases, top case, and camping gear so I'll need to be careful for sure.

On Day 2 out of Dallas I plan to ride the infamous 550 north of Durango, AKA "Million Dollar Highway". Another one of those that I haven't ridden, but always makes the "lists".

Day 3,4 and 5 I'm going to ride 95, 24, and 12 in southern Utah to finally see Bryce, Zion, and north Grand Canyon. From there, I need to get across Nevada on Highway 50. I'm hoping for cloudy and cool weather across Nevada

[Bob_M]

Randy
As you are going north to Lewiston anyway you might consider taking hwy 3 between Enterprise Oregon and Lewiston. This road (for all intents and purposes) drops into Hells Canyon and up the other side. The scenery, the hwy geometry, the climate... it is vastly superior to anything you could hope for.

[RTRandy]

Bob,

If I'm coming north on 395 I can head east on 244 through Ukiah to Hilgard, south on 84 to La Grande. From La Grande it's 82 to Enterprise. Then it's route 3 to Lewiston. Sound right? Any lodging on this route? I'm going to trust you on this one.

Randy

[montana]

Do the Rattlesnake. It's big time fun. There's a little restaurant in the bottom of the canyon where you can buy a "Rattlesnake" t-shirt. (I think 3 from Enterprise to Lewiston is the Rattlesnake, I don't have a map handy.) There are also nice twisties at the north end, dropping down into Lewiston.

I found this remark from an Oregon rider on another forum: "East through Oregon on US 26, cut up to Enterprise, rode the Rattlesnake to Lewiston and then Lolo Pass." There you go, he should know.

La Grande is a big town, lots of lodging. We stayed a night in Enterprise on our way to the Redmond OR rally, only a few motels and nearly nowhere to eat, I think that was a Tues night. Really sleepy tiny town.

[RTRandy]

I'm there! I'm going to ride it and get the T-shirt for sure!

[knary]

I'm there! I'm going to ride it and get the T-shirt for sure!

rattlesnake...

[RTRandy]

rattlesnake...

NO WAY !!!

You sure that's not some shot taken in Vermont ?

[knary]

NO WAY !!!

You sure that's not some shot taken in Vermont ?

Actually, that's southern Florida. If you look closely, you'll see see the girls in bikinis. Note: this may require some Tequila.

[LORAZEPAM]

Actually, that's southern Florida. If you look closely, you'll see see the girls in bikinis. Note: this may require some Tequila.

The hills are too small for southern florida.