Overall Route Rating
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4.63 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.63
9 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2003

Rider Reviews

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Guest
December 11, 2008
Sequoia Kings Canyon is one of the states best…
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troglobiker
July 1, 2015
My son and I just stayed in Three Rivers, Ca in…
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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.

Drive Enjoyment

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.

Tourism Opportunities

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.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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Guest
December 11, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
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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troglobiker
July 1, 2015
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
My son and I just stayed in Three Rivers, Ca in June and rode up and down to Sequoia Park several times. We were there mid week so traffic was light. The road is great with lots of 10-15 mph hairpins that will test your mettle to ride much faster than that. My son was on a newer Bonneville and I was on a newer Night Rod. We used all the tread available on these two bikes. :-)
You definitely will be paying attention, but it's a great ride through about three different ecosystems. Top ten road I've been on for motorcycles....
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Rick_TN
November 3, 2011
4 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
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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