Following a successful climb on Horseshoe Meadow attaining my goal to complete the 10 hardest cycling climbs in California, I made my way to Mammoth Lakes for reflection, new lodging accommodations and sustenance. I had pre-planned to hole up at the Innsbruck Inn. A small hotel steps away from Mammoth Village which features a variety of eateries and drinkeries.

My room had a nice little balcony with views of the mountains and a great breeze to enjoy the cooler air at the much higher elevation here. It prompted a pre-dinner bourbon moment to celebrate the accomplishment earlier in the day.

This was followed up by a walk down to the village and a visit to Mammoth Brewing where I enjoyed some fish & chips and a rather long taster set of 2oz tasters including their 25th anniversary Sky Bear Ale Belgian Quadruple at a more than hair rasing 15.7ABV!

The next day I rose early to crisp temps and a perfect weather report. It was an opportunity to get in one of the quintessential California cycling climbs. A quick 30 minute drive put me in Lee Vining at the foot of the famous Tioga Pass that goes from Mono Lake to the Eastern entrance of Yosemite. Only open in the summer due to heavy snow, this 12 mile climb features amazing views, crystal clear lakes and the fun of driving by a line of cars waiting to get into Yosemite at the summit. It is also the highest highway pass in California at 9,943ft above sea level.

The first 4 miles were relatively easy with an average low single digit grade.

This finally gives way to steep cliffs, rocky terrain and steeper grades of over 8%.

If those views weren’t enough, at mile 10, I was rewarded with the first lake view across Ellery Lake with the mountain reflecting in it.

Similarly, just up the road, Tioga Lake offered views to be admired and appreciated.

Finally, I reached the summit where there was a line of cars waiting to enter the park via the ranger station. They were still working with COVID rules where you could not enter unless you had made a reservation online to do get into the park. Bikes do not have to make reservations, but you do need to purchase a day pass or have an annual pass to get in.

I rode on the shoulder past the waiting vehicles and was about to show the ranger who was directing traffic my annual pass, but she waived me through immediately without checking my pass at all. I guess cyclists are the least of their worries.

I was up there pretty early so I decided to ride a little further. The climb was done and on this side there was gentle decline into Yosemite. After a mile or so of this, I realized this would just make it harder for me to get back and another climb I wasn’t planning on. I turned around and headed back.

As I passed the ranger station I realized I had not taken the self gratifying selfie at the summit. The ranger said the same thing as I crossed by her in front of the waiting traffic. “You came all this way, you have to get the photo!” she said.

The downhill was smooth and easy with very little traffic. Just endless views and the crisp mountain air.

In total it turned out to be a 29 mile ride with 3,283 feet of climbing. A nice box to check in a week of big juicy boxes.