Santa Rosa BMW Ride #3

October 15/16 – Lassen Volcanic National Park & The Sierras – Northern California

The goal of the third Santa Rosa BMW / Adventure Touring ride was to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California.

The crew for this trip was a mix of prior and new participants; Dennis Gonzales again joined us along with Greg Hill, CJ Rendic, Walt Decker, Chris Coppinger, Juan Gallegos and Ken Roberts. We left the dealership early on Saturday morning and had a quick blast up 101 to 162 above Willits. 162 is a great 24 mile twisty that leads to Covelo and then on for another 10 paved miles into the mountains. Turning into a dirt fire road - FH7, the road meanders for 38 miles through the mountains towards Elk Creek on the western side of the Central Valley. After a relaxing lunch at scenic Plaskett Meadow Campground about halfway through the mountains, we finished FH7 and continued north and east over a mix of paved and dirt roads through the ranches at the western edge of the Central Valley.

After a bit of riding on I-5 and a number of local roads, we ended up on 299 heading towards our destination for the evening; Fall River Hotel in Fall River Mills. Fall River Mills is a scenic little town (population 573) that boasts a world class golf course and some of the best fly fishing in the state. Fall River Hotel was build in 1935 and has been lovingly restored by the current owners, Scott and Sandi. Great lodging, food and drinks made for a memorable evening and future rides will definitely be using the hotel again!

Early the next morning we departed for our ultimate destination - Lassen Volcanic National Park. Since it was fairly late in the season and snow had already fallen in the park the week before, the big sign at the entrance indicating ice ahead definitely got our attention! The road proved to be dry although liberally sprinkled with gravel that gave many of us a few interesting moments. The park is an active volcanic region with massive eruptions as recently as 1914-1917. Currently there are active steam vents emitting sulfur gases, boiling mud pots and some incredible hiking trails and views. After enjoying a much needed cup of coffee at the summit, we continued out of the park on 89 towards Quincy. Even though it was getting late in the day, we decided to take a small road leading back to Oroville called Blue Lake Road. The road turned our to be a real gem - a newly paved little snake of a road that winds it's way down out of the mountains past Lake Oroville and is not to be missed.

The rest of the ride out of the foothills, through the farmlands of the Central Valley and back through Lake County was uneventful and everyone arrived home safe just as it was getting dark. Great ride, great memories and I believe a good time was had by all!

Lunch at Plaskett Meadow Campground half way from Covelo to Elk Creek

Fall River Hotel - restored to it's 1930's glory and a great stopping point

Coffee at the summit in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lunch in Quincy - Lots of Adventures!

Looks like trouble...

Lassen Volcanic Park in Northern California - great views

Our route for this trip