Henness Pass, northern Sierras

[paddlenbike]

Some friends and I did the 70 mile Henness Pass trail this weekend; Northern Sierra Route 21 in the Backcountry Adventures Book. The road is do-able in a 2WD for the most part, but the Backcountry Book rates the scenery a "10 out of 10" and there are hundreds of trails leading off Henness Pass Rd. worthy of exploring. We began in Camptonville, CA and ended in Verdi, NV.

A few miles into the trail our first obstacle. There was a momma deer and two babies that were standing in the road and as soon as they saw us, the mother took off and the babies collapsed in fear. There was no traffic on the road, so we figured the best thing to do is to leave them alone.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kM0sJ2oF5Q/UcfSUBnvXEI/AAAAAAAAKOQ/pEdA8BhFddc/s640/DSC_0314.JPG

A few more miles into the trail and we stopped to watch a helicopter logging operation. Apparently the loggers didn’t like us because as soon as we stopped to take photos, their company pickup truck parked just feet behind us and was giving us dirty looks. Must have thought we were angry environmentalists.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yro13tWBrwQ/UcfSTxA8FXI/AAAAAAAAKOI/dDPUZ1Fi4Bk/s640/DSC_0326.JPG
That picture was for you, Dan.

Views from Pliocene Ridge:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HDGX8LhWUic/UcfST47ZIXI/AAAAAAAAKOM/9uVYPh_id54/s640/DSC_0328.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KxdEnGsGHww/UcfSVlt2n5I/AAAAAAAAKOk/nbu5S6EdCYY/s640/DSC_0330.JPG

View of Sierra Buttes near Downieville. I’ve done that switchback on both a mountain bike and a 4Runner; Mike’s, actually.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CnukWke0AN4/UcfSV58gUEI/AAAAAAAAKOo/qOtUBnIEbu0/s640/DSC_0333.JPG

[paddlenbike]

We passed a lot of really nice mountain lakes along the way, several of which we plan to return to for camping, kayaking and just hanging out.

Jackson Meadows Reservoir:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOaXlBY5Rhg/UcfSV0asMxI/AAAAAAAAKOg/AD_gUVjAt4E/s640/DSC_0337.JPG

This was probably my favorite scenery along the way, the Little Truckee River. I’m a fan of meadows.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JY12B7n5lXc/UcfSYgASBmI/AAAAAAAAKPE/gfmHr6L1adE/s640/DSC_0346.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-clyT078gOuA/UcfSYuGiXII/AAAAAAAAKPA/i1vcXKKGtFo/s640/DSC_0343.JPG

We found a great free campground backing up to a meadow. Unfortunately fire restrictions were in effect, which is always a bummer.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0Vsqr-Enuw/UcfSZRFGiCI/AAAAAAAAKPI/CLc7WWiHUhg/s640/DSC_0350r.jpg

[paddlenbike]

The next day we continued on.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-38xtYdsrbuM/UcfTO_CmeII/AAAAAAAAKPg/GJr8yXmGVVM/s640/DSC_0352r.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jSpzZzsRCe0/UcfTP2XMyOI/AAAAAAAAKP0/JbxKBeSjlEM/s640/DSC_0353.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2wYhGR8H94o/UcfTPza853I/AAAAAAAAKP4/E_VMvVeZt30/s640/DSC_0357.JPG

We spent the entire previous day pretty much on dirt roads, so we found a 4WD trail on the map and headed out for some fun. The scenery was awesome.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mOsXTlK-XWM/UcfTQUO0LJI/AAAAAAAAKP8/_WGpx_fRap8/s640/DSC_0361.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G7qQIBDHgXw/UcfTRhxET9I/AAAAAAAAKQM/qil8PBvpY0s/s640/DSC_0362.JPG

[paddlenbike]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kXPSzX1SoN4/UcfTRyWfg8I/AAAAAAAAKQQ/3Qkw0k0xrdI/s640/DSC_0363.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9-8eIbZsuQQ/UcfTSJXRWrI/AAAAAAAAKQY/iIQdp2OpfIo/s640/DSC_0364.JPG

But apparently this trail is not recommended for large 1970’s American automobiles.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ALHEDP506LI/UcfTUD5opoI/AAAAAAAAKQw/IHu5tbY9IFE/s640/DSC_0377.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J786tMiIRmY/UcfTTDO8mbI/AAAAAAAAKQk/NSKW6gG4r_I/s640/DSC_0368.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zqkhdEs7WuQ/UcfTUFBeUII/AAAAAAAAKQs/nJm8Ug8Qvvw/s640/DSC_0374.JPG

[paddlenbike]

Back on the main trail, more meadows.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UIbo2AuqmRU/UcfTU_mMExI/AAAAAAAAKQ4/JGuAdY8f-LE/s640/DSC_0380.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bguu-JevIaU/UcfTWDBZbMI/AAAAAAAAKRQ/uBrSeLeQE68/s640/DSC_0388.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NqlrkLcpnCc/UcfTWVZErTI/AAAAAAAAKRU/i1-VyLQRiK4/s640/DSC_0389.JPG

We realized while airing-up that we were sitting right on the state line.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pN6U0uZhGG0/UcfTWV7HknI/AAAAAAAAKRM/9j6YyYY6IBc/s640/DSC_0398r.jpg

My wife and I plan to spend more time in the U.S. this summer seeing what's in our own backyard. Keep us in the loop if you plan to go somewhere fun, maybe we will join you. :)

[DHC6twinotter]

Looks like fun, and that is some great scenery too!

I spotted some heli-loggers when I was up by Reno back in October. Pretty neat stuff.

[Good Times]

awesome trip! thanks for sharing!

[Seanz0rz]

awesome trip report!

Ken, It looks like we will be doing the more traditional Mojave Road expedition in December. I am not sure of the dates yet, but will be planning it soon. I will be taking my parents, so I will be with the trailer and going a bit slow.

In feb/march we will be doing the annual trip, but a whole lot different than trips past, that would be a good one to join too, and it will be a bit more hardcore as well.

[paddlenbike]

Sounds great Sean, I love the desert in December. I really wanted to make the Mammoth trip but the timing does not work out for that particular weekend.