Highway 198, Sequoia National Park

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > California

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: California

Date Submitted: August 1, 2003
Submitted by: Curt Tricarico
Motorcycle Road Length: 20-70 Miles Miles

Written Directions

I suggest starting in the town of Three Rivers CA. Three Rivers is just about 70 miles north of Bakersfield California and lies just outside the southwest border of the Sequoia National Park. The route I describe is only about 20 miles long and it takes place all on one main road that goes through the park - highway 198. Go north from Three Rivers on highway 198 into Sequoia National Park. The really twisty section is in the first 20 miles. If you continue north through the park and back down to the lower altitudes (and back to civilization), it will be another 70 miles.

Highway 198 will turn into Highway 180. If you go left on 180, it will take you out of the park to Squaw Valley. If you go right it will take you to a dead end/turnaround in the heart of Kings Canyon National Park.

Scenery

This place could define the word scenery in a picture book on national parks. Huge rock formations, grand vistas of mountains and valleys, and, best of all, a GIANT sequoia nearly 300 feet tall. Yosemite National Park is even more grand, and can be visited the next day.

Road Quality

Imagine the perfect layout with tight curves and tight switchbacks with plenty of elevation changes. Then pour the greatest pavement in the US. I'm not joking. We're talking 1-grit sandpaper quality ... your tires will grab on to this stuff like glue. I rode 20 mph through a 5 mph switchback on bald tires.

Roadside Amenities

There's a lack of gas stations and fast food joints, but the park is full of places to see and things to do. You could spend a week here.Be prepared for several thousand feet of altitude change and the temperature change that comes along with it. In October it was 80 degrees down low, but 60 degrees higher up in the park.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Curt Tricarico

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Reviewed by Guest on December 11, 2008 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Michael
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Sequoia Kings Canyon is one of the states best kept secret. Unlike it's big brother Yosemite to the north. You won't find the hustle and bustle of maddening crowds at every stop. There is so much to see that you might want to consider finding a place to stay near by or in the park and really get out and see everything this treasure trove has to offer. Another of the states great lil secrets is Lassen National Park, but that's another post.
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Reviewed by Rick_TN on November 4, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rick_TN
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Honda Goldwing
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I was on this road in 2009 and was looking forward to riding again this year (2011). However the experience was very painful, The road is under heavy re-construction and on some parts the road is limited to one lane with an excessive wait time. Other parts of the road were being resurfaced, so the road was completely covered with loose gravel. This road was no fun this year and I would recommend you check with the Park on road status before you ride this stretch.
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Reviewed by Guest on January 11, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Joel Heckman
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: This is a great road, but it does have two downsides. First being weekend traffic of buses, RV's, and familys out on a day trip to avoid the summertime heat of the valley. Secondly, if my memory serves me correctly, there is a 45mph speed limit the entire way through the park. So while the road ccan be safely ridden well in excess of that, you run the risk of a badge heavy park ranger dropping a ticket on you.
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