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This is only my opinion, but I feel that that the Southeastern Sierras have some of the best climbing rides in the U.S. Miles of climbing and numerous possibilities with low traffic and good roads makes this area amazing. We usually try to hit it three or four times a year and I more than feel the three hour drive is worth it. There are two locations to stay in that offer decent hotels and good rides. Lone Pine is on the southern end and Bishop is on the northern end. For this ride we stayed in Bishop and rode up to South Lake and Lake Sabrina.
South Lake is 22 miles of climbing above Bishop and Lake Sabrina is several miles off of this climb. The road up is shaped like a Y with South lake on the left fork and Lake Sabrina on the right fork. The climb up is pretty amazing with the Sierras rising up in front of you for the whole climb. Anyway, here's the ride:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/130315
Starting out in Bishop early in the morning to avoid the 100F temps that were going to hit the valley later in the day. The good thing is we'd rapidly be climbing and hot temps would be just a thought in the far recesses of our mind.
The climb starts about two miles out of town and doesn't let up. Luckily the 10% grades were still a ways off at this point. The rising Sierras gave us some energy to move forward.
The old granite formations on the way up aren't as impressive as the Alabama Hills a ways further south, but even still I had a lot of fun exploring these as a kid. Lots of little tunnel like areas, pits, etc. Fun stuff.
On the way up there are several campgrounds with good cold spring water. Be sure to stop at these as you'll need it. Just to the left in this pic is the first of the campgrounds. Nice paved road in and out.
Almost to the turn off for South lake and to the road where to the right heads up to Lake Sabrina. 10% grades in this area had my heart going when combined with 8,000 of altitude. Great fun!
And then the turnoff and up to South Lake.
South Lake is 22 miles of climbing above Bishop and Lake Sabrina is several miles off of this climb. The road up is shaped like a Y with South lake on the left fork and Lake Sabrina on the right fork. The climb up is pretty amazing with the Sierras rising up in front of you for the whole climb. Anyway, here's the ride:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/130315
Starting out in Bishop early in the morning to avoid the 100F temps that were going to hit the valley later in the day. The good thing is we'd rapidly be climbing and hot temps would be just a thought in the far recesses of our mind.


The climb starts about two miles out of town and doesn't let up. Luckily the 10% grades were still a ways off at this point. The rising Sierras gave us some energy to move forward.

The old granite formations on the way up aren't as impressive as the Alabama Hills a ways further south, but even still I had a lot of fun exploring these as a kid. Lots of little tunnel like areas, pits, etc. Fun stuff.

On the way up there are several campgrounds with good cold spring water. Be sure to stop at these as you'll need it. Just to the left in this pic is the first of the campgrounds. Nice paved road in and out.

Almost to the turn off for South lake and to the road where to the right heads up to Lake Sabrina. 10% grades in this area had my heart going when combined with 8,000 of altitude. Great fun!

And then the turnoff and up to South Lake.
