September 1992. Tim Morgan, then from Redwood Estates, joined me on a ~600 mile motorcycle weekend out to Mammoth Lakes. We left San Jose around 3pm. Slabbed up 101 and 680 to 84 then over Patterson Pass to 580. In Stockton we grabbed 88 to Jackson for gas then continued over Carson Pass to the Woodford’s Inn, a 20 unit motel situated in the tall pines of Woodfords, about 5 minutes from Markleeville. After checking-in and unloading our luggage, we rode down to the Cutthroat Saloon, had dinner at the restaurant right behind it.

Also had breakfast there the next morning. Went over Monitor Pass and down US-395 to Bridgeport for gas. We did the June Lake loop after leaving Bridgeport and stopped for a bite at this cafe before reaching Mammoth Lakes. Stayed at the Swiss Chalet Motel on Viewpoint Road. There, we hung out in the whirlpool spa. Walked downhill for pizza and suds that night.

It was very cold the next morning as we rode over the crest at ~10,000 ft on Minaret Road to Minaret Vista where Tim snapped this photo of the author. We hurried down over to Lake Mary for the next photo...

Lake Mary (Elev. 8,920 ft.) is the largest lake in the basin and is nearly a mile long. Right after this shot it was back to the village for hot coffee and warm pastries as we didn't want to waste too much time over breakfast -- we had to get back home that day. We split north on US-395 to Lee Vining.

We got gas at Lee Vining then climbed over Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park and took butt break at Toulumne Grove Tunnel Tree ... it's not too often that one can ride a motorcycle into a tree with impunity. =8^)

After taking this final pix, we left Toulumne Grove and Yosemite NP via 120. Several miles later, a left onto a sideroad which eventually took us to Coulterville -- stopped for lunch at an old Victorian home converted into a cafe. From there it was 132 out to a gas station by the I-5 jct with both bikes running on fumes. Took I-5 north a bit then grabbed Corral Hollow Road and 84 back to I-680 and San Jose.