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Riding and camping Northern California and beyond, since 1965!


49er Road Riding Routes

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There are several loop options including a tour of local historical sites created by Club member Richard Burton.  Note that the loop through Yosemite Valley requires a national park pass or payment of a daily use fee.  Also, to enter the Park on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day (Monday) you must have a reservation in addition to the park pass/entry fee.  Reservations are not required mid-week.  Reservations sell out far in advance so unless you already have a reservation you will need to do this loop on Thursday or Friday.  Details about the reservation requirements are here:  Yosemite Reservation Requirements

Download the complete Road GPX file  with all routes and tracks. Some devices may not properly load a large file via bluetooth. The individual route files  are provided in links below.

Poker Run GPX

Huge Thanks to the River City Beemers for organizing the 49er Poker Run.  You can pick up printed route books with directions and questions in Rally HQ.  We are providing the Poker Run GPX electronically for folks that prefer electronic directions. 

Indian Gulch loop

This is a 50 mile loop ride. Leaving from the fairgrounds this route winds its way through the rolling Hills and countryside west of Mariposa. The road conditions vary from nicely paved big sweepers to a patch quilt of repaired potholes but the vistas are beautiful. Plan on a 2-hour ride. Bring everything you need because there are no stores or services on this route.

Ben Hur 60 loop

This is a 60 mile loop ride. Leaving from the fairgrounds this route heads down Ben Hur road, winding through the countryside. At mile 23.5 you’ll encounter the town of Raymond. It’s in the vicinity of Eastman Lake, the site of last year‘s Oktoberfest campout. There is a small tavern in the town where cold beverages can be purchased. Following the route, you’ll pop out on hwy 49 just north of the town of Oakhurst where there are all the major stores and services available. From there you’ll head north, up hwy 49 and back to the fairgrounds. Be prepared for both smooth, twisty roads and patchwork quilt of pothole repaired farm roads. Plan on a 3-hour ride.

Merced falls – Priest Grade loop

This is a 100 mile loop ride which takes you from the fairgrounds heading north west, crossing the Merced river in the Merced Falls area then continuing north to hwy 132 where you’ll pass Don Pedro reservoir and up over Priest Grade. At mile 63 “the top of Priest Grade,” you’ll find the Priest Station Café which serves an excellent affordable lunch menu. From there you’ll head down, Priest Coulterville road and intersect hwy 49 which will take you back to the fairgrounds. Be prepared for well-maintained, sweeping roads leading you to patchwork quilt, pothole repaired farm roads then back to nicely maintained highways. If you need fuel, you’ll need to head a little further up hwy120 to the town of Big Oak flat then retrace your steps to Priest Coulterville rd. to resume the route. Plan on 4 hours of riding time plus whatever time you take for lunch and rest stops. The views are beautiful.

Yosemite tour

This is a 118 mile Loop ride, leaving from the fairgrounds you head south down hwy 49 to Oakhurst where you’ll intersect Highway 41 that will take you through Fishcamp and into Yosemite proper. At mile 45 you’ll find the Wawona Hotel that offers lunch in their dining room from 11:30 until 2 PM daily. If you’d prefer to go on the lighter side there are several lunch options to be found in Yosemite Village at mile 72. There you’ll find delis in and cafe’s, serving soups, salads, pizzas, and baked goods. Returning to the route, you’ll proceed down Northside drive which will take you to the intersection of hwy 140 “El portal road.” This will take you along the Merced River, out of the park and back into the town of Mariposa where you can easily return to the fairgrounds.

Yosemite Valley requires a national park pass or payment of a daily use fee. Also, to enter the Park on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day (Monday) you must have a reservation in addition to the park pass/entry fee. Go to Recreation.gov to try for a reservation. Reservations are not required mid-week. Reservations sell out far in advance so unless you already have a reservation you will need to do this loop on Thursday or Friday.

There are stores and services all along the route but it would be prudent to fuel up in Oakhurst if need be. This would be a 6-hour ride at best. Plan accordingly.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir ride 

Leaving the fairgrounds, you’ll head north on hwy 49 to hwy 132 where you will climb up over Priest Grade and head east on hwy 120, passing through Big Oak Flat, Harden Flat and Rush Creek. At mile 71 You’ll turn left onto Evergreen road which takes you to Mather. From there you turn right onto Hetch Hetchy road which will take you to the Yosemite park entrance (fee or pass required, reservation not required) and out to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir at mile 87. Take the time to cross the dam and take a tour through the Cave. Heading back, you will return on Evergreen road. On the return at mile 96 you’ll encounter the Evergreen Lodge, which has a general store and a dining room which serves lunch daily from 12 till 3 PM. It’s a bit on the pricey side but the food is great and it’s a fabulous place to hang out. From there you’ll backtrack your way down Evergreen road, turning back onto hwy 120. Just past Buck Meadows You’ll turn left onto Smith Station Road, hwy132 which will take you back to Highway 49 at Coulterville where you will head south and back to the fairgrounds. There are stores, restaurants and services all along the route. This is an all-day ride, so leave early if you plan to get back before dark.

Historical Road Ride

The Historical Road Ride is about 78 miles and should take about 4 hours with the planned stops.  Download the guide book for information about each stop.  Along the way you will learn about interesting history of the area. The roads are mostly paved. Some are rough. The off-pavement section is not that much and not that hard….very easy. The route goes through Mariposa if you need gas

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