200 miles with 30,200 feet of elevation gain*
Day 1: Horseshoe Meadows (46 miles / 7,380 feet)
Day 2: Whitney Portal (25 miles / 4,830 feet)
Day 3: Onion Valley (27 miles / 5,340 feet)
Day 4: Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake (51 miles / 7,160 feet)
Day 5: Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake (48 miles / 5,470 feet)
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
Eastern Sierra - Description:
The Eastern Sierra is road bike climbing paradise. No other region in the United States offers as many major climbs in such close proximity.
All of the following climbs are top bike climbs in California and some are top bike climbs in the United States, either for most difficult climb, greatest elevation gained, or highest elevation attained.
[Horseshoe Meadows - Route Profile]
Horseshoe Meadows - Counties Visited:
Inyo County
Horseshoe Meadows - Cities/Towns Visited:
Lone Pine
Horseshoe Meadows - Climbs:
Mile 0 (HC), 20 (cat. 3), and 26 (cat. 4)
Horseshoe Meadows - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 23
Horseshoe Meadows - Description:
Horseshoe Meadows is the climb with the giant switchbacks, which can be seen from Highway 395. Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal can be combined into a single ride, which is best done when the temperature is not too hot.
[Whitney Portal - Route Profile]
Whitney Portal - Counties Visited:
Inyo County
Whitney Portal - Cities/Towns Visited:
Lone Pine
Whitney Portal - Climbs:
Mile 0 (cat. 1)
Whitney Portal - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 13
Whitney Portal - Description:
Whitney Portal is the climb that leads to the trailhead of Mount Whitney, at 14,497 feet the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal can be combined into a single ride, which is best done when the temperature is not too hot.
[Onion Valley - Route Profile]
Onion Valley - Counties Visited:
Inyo County
Onion Valley - Cities/Towns Visited:
Independence
Onion Valley - Climbs:
Mile 0 (HC)
Onion Valley - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 14
Onion Valley - Description:
Onion Valley is rated the most difficult of the Eastern Sierra climbs. It is also one of the most interesting climbs in terms of changing views, including two different sections of switchbacks.
[Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Route Profile]
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Counties Visited:
Inyo County
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Cities/Towns Visited:
Bishop
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Climbs:
Mile 0 (cat. 1), 17 (cat. 4), and 24 (cat. 2)
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 32
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Description:
Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake share Highway 168 for most of the climb. Highway 168 continues towards Lake Sabrina (single lane road at the end) and North Lake (partially paved road at the end). South Lake is one of the climbs used in the Everest Challenge (single lane towards the end).
[Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Route Profile]
Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Counties Visited:
Mono County and Tuolumne County
Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Cities/Towns Visited:
Lee Vining
Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Climbs:
Mile 0 (cat. 1), 22 (cat. 3), and 32 (cat. 3)
Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 34
Tioga Pass East / West and Saddlebag Lake - Description:
Tioga Pass East and West are the climbs with the most spectacular scenery. At the top of the pass is an entrance to Yosemite National Park. Saddlebag Lake is a climb off Tioga Pass East (partially paved road), which terminates at 10,200 feet.
Eastern Sierra - Pictures:
[Alabama Hills and Mount Whitney]
[Giant switchbacks]
[Owens Lake]
[Walt's Point]
[Active bear area]
[Whitney Portal Road]
[Portal Preserve]
[On switchbacks]
[Whitney Portal]
[Waterfall]
[Onion Valley Road]
[Onion Valley Road]
[Switchbacks]
[Switchbacks]
[Onion Valley]
[Highway 168]
[Lake Sabrina]
[North Lake Road]
[North Lake]
[South Lake]
[Tioga Pass East]
[Ellery Lake]
[Tioga Lake]
[Yosemite National Park]
[Saddlebag Lake Road]
More pictures
Eastern Sierra - Personal Notes:
Sandra and I spent three days in Lone Pine, and two days with Sabrina H. and John L. in Mammoth Lakes. Thanks to Sabrina for inviting us to her condominium.
Even though the temperature during the day reached above 100 degrees, it was pleasant during the first few hours of the day and at high elevation.
Here are some statistics:
- Total distance: 196 miles
- Min. / avg. / max. daily distance: 25 / 39 / 51 miles
- Total climbing: 30,180 feet
- Min. / avg. / max. daily climbing: 4,830 / 6,040 / 7,380 feet
- Highest elevation attained: 10,200 feet (Saddlebag Lake)
- Flat tires: 0
Eastern Sierra - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in California and Top Bike Climbs in the United States.