An individual wishing to do a ride contacted us to help him find some adventure. We happily obliged and took him on the CABDR-North, what an incredible ride!
Day 1: Into the Wild
We began at Lake Shasta with engines humming, anticipation rising with the morning sun. The pavement carried us south through Lassen Volcanic National Park, a land alive with steaming fumaroles and stark volcanic ridges. The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway offered surreal beauty—geysers hissing, sulfur scents hanging in the crisp air. It was a gentle introduction, 132 miles that reminded us why we came: to be awed, challenged, and changed by the Sierra Nevada.
Day 2: Fire and Forest
Leaving Chester, the ride turned raw. Dirt two-tracks and rocky trails cut deep into the backcountry, where blackened trunks from the 2021 Dixie Fire stood like silent witnesses. The land was scarred but recovering—ferns sprouting, pines reaching back toward the sky. Navigating primitive paths through steep forest climbs demanded focus and grit. Fatigue crept in, but so did a sense of resilience. We were learning that adventure isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about honoring what the land has endured and how we, too, keep going despite hardship.
Day 3: History Beneath Our Wheels
From Graeagle, the Gold Lake Highway carried us briefly before dirt returned. Old Henness Pass Road—a historic wagon route—became our stage for the day. The gravel flowed like a river, sweeping us through Tahoe National Forest with speed and rhythm. Here, the group found its stride, laughter echoing at breaks, stories traded while overlooking ridgelines once crossed by pioneers. The ride wasn’t just a test of endurance—it was a connection to history, a reminder that others have braved these paths in search of their own transformation.
Day 4: Over Donner Summit
Climbing out of Truckee, we followed the serpentine curves of Old Highway 40 up Donner Pass. The paved ascent—sharp hairpins, dramatic views—was unforgettable, the kind of road that etches itself into memory. At the summit, a quiet pause: jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and the knowledge that countless travelers once fought their way across this same divide. The descent into broken pavement and dirt trails was humbling, the Sierra reminding us that beauty is often guarded by challenge.
Day 5: Into the Pines
Kyburz marked the gateway to another world. The trail wound deep into the El Dorado National Forest, where tall pines muffled sound and shafts of light filtered through the canopy. We rode blissful two-tracks, tires crunching over pine needles, before cutting onto narrow backroads. The descent into the Mokelumne River canyon was slow, demanding, and stunning all at once. At day’s end, there was a shared pride in what we’d overcome—mud, fatigue, and nerves giving way to a deeper confidence.
Day 6: The Long Crossing
From Bear Valley, the ride shifted. Dirt gave way to pavement as we crossed into Yosemite National Park, 206 miles of winding climbs and breathtaking alpine passes. The air cooled, reminding us of the Sierra’s sheer scale. Granite domes, waterfalls, and endless vistas spoke to the grandeur of this place. Though less technical, the miles tested stamina. It was a reminder that challenge isn’t only found on rugged trails—sometimes it’s the long haul that demands the most perseverance.
Day 7: The Final Push
The last day was a 309-mile stretch back to Lake Shasta. Asphalt and highways replaced dirt and gravel, but the reflection came easy. What had begun as a collection of individuals had become a group bound by shared struggle and triumph. Sore muscles and tired eyes were balanced by gratitude—for the land, the adventure, and the friendships forged on the trail.
Reflections on the Ride
Adventure isn’t about perfection. We faced setbacks—weather shifts, exhaustion, tricky terrain—but each challenge carried lessons. The Sierras demanded resilience, and in return, they gave us perspective. We left stronger, more connected, and more aware of what’s possible when we step into the unknown together.
This journey through the northern Sierras wasn’t just a ride—it was a reset, a reminder that risk brings reward, that growth comes from leaning into the hard moments. The landscapes were unforgettable, but the transformation within each rider is what truly mattered.
Ready for your own adventure? Visit misogi.travel to plan your journey with me.
