Lake Tahoe Ride – Oct 15-18, 2026

[Torbjorn Corell]

🏍️ South Coast BMW Riders Club: Eastern Sierra & High Passes Adventure

Below is the plan for this amazing ride to Lake Tahoe. Hotel prices and contact info will be posted shortly.

Dates: October 15–18, 2026

Total Distance: ~995 miles

Get ready for four days of pure twisties, sweeping high-desert horizons, dramatic alpine elevations, and classic Sierra pass-bagging.

Day 1: Thursday, Oct 15 | Mojave Desert & Death Valley Gateway to Bishop

• Kickstands Up (KSU): 09:00 AM from TC’s House (14540 Sorrel Ln, Fontana, CA 92336)
• Route: Fontana ➔ Trona ➔ Panamint Springs ➔ US-395 North ➔ Bishop
• Daily Distance: ~289 miles

The Ride:

We roll out sharp at 09:00 AM, heading north into the stark, stunning expanse of the Mojave Desert. Carving through Trona and sweeping down into Panamint Springs at the edge of Death Valley, the landscape shifts from desert basin to dramatic canyon walls. Reconnecting with US-395, we’ll bank northwest towards the Eastern Sierra wall, ending our first day in the iconic mountain hub of Bishop.

Night 1 Lodging:

Travelodge by Wyndham Bishop

• Address: 155 E Elm St, Bishop, CA 93514
• Highlights: Conveniently located right off US-395 in downtown Bishop. Offers comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, microwave, refrigerator, an outdoor pool, and plenty of parking—plus it’s within easy walking distance of local restaurants and Schat’s Bakery.

Day 2: Friday, Oct 16 | Scaling Monitor Pass into Alpine Lake Tahoe

• Route: Bishop ➔ US-395 N ➔ CA-89 N over Monitor Pass ➔ Lake Tahoe (Kings Beach)
• Daily Distance: ~208 miles

The Ride:

We throttle north along US-395, tracking the eastern spine of the Sierras through Bridgeport and past Coleville. From there, we tackle our first high-pass benchmark: Monitor Pass (CA-89). Expect sweeping alpine curves, crisp air, and vast views of yellowing fall foliage across the high Sierra backdrop. Dropping into the Lake Tahoe basin, we trace the shoreline to our overnight stop in Kings Beach.

Crown Motel – Kings Beach

Night 2 Lodging:

• Address: 8200 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA 96143
• Highlights: Situated directly on the shores of Lake Tahoe with private beach access. Features comfortable rooms, heated outdoor pool and hot tub area, continental breakfast, and easy walking distance to lakeside dining and shops along North Lake Boulevard.

Day 3: Saturday, Oct 17 | Double-Pass Challenge & June Lake Loop to Mammoth

• Route: Kings Beach ➔ CA-89 S ➔ CA-4 W over Ebbetts Pass ➔ Turnaround / CA-89 over Monitor Pass ➔ US-395 S ➔ June Lake Loop (CA-158) ➔ Mammoth Lakes
• Daily Distance: ~211 miles

The Ride:

This is the ultimate technical riding day of the trip. Heading south from the lake, we hit the tight, technical switchbacks and single-lane stretches of Ebbetts Pass (CA-4). After carving up to the summit, we double back to take on Monitor Pass once again from the opposite direction. Descending back to US-395 South, we detour off the highway onto the breathtaking horseshoe curves of the June Lake Loop (CA-158) before making our final ascent into Mammoth Lakes.

Alpenhof Lodge

Night 3 Lodging:

Alpenhof Lodge

• Address: 6080 Minaret Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA
• Highlights: A charming European Alpine-style chalet lodge right in the central village area of Mammoth Lakes. It features warm wood-trimmed quarters, an onsite bistro, a popular sports bar, and close proximity to Mammoth’s best watering holes and dining options.

Day 4: Sunday, Oct 18 | High Desert Cruise to L.A. Basin

• Route: Mammoth Lakes ➔ US-395 South ➔ I-15 South ➔ Fontana / L.A. Basin
• Daily Distance: ~287 miles

The Ride:

After a hearty breakfast in Mammoth, we gear up for our final leg. Cruising south down the long, open ribbons of US-395, we pass beneath the shadows of Mt. Whitney and the Owens Valley, dropping through the Cajon Pass back into the Los Angeles basin.

📋 Trip Summary

• Day 1: 289 mi — Fontana to Bishop via Trona & Panamint Springs
• Day 2: 208 mi — Bishop to Kings Beach via Monitor Pass
• Day 3: 211 mi — Kings Beach to Mammoth via Ebbetts Pass, Monitor Pass & June Lake Loop
• Day 4: 287 mi — Mammoth to L.A. Basin
• Total Trip: ~995 Miles

 

 

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[Torbjorn Corell]

All,

Hotel reservations for the amazing Lake Tahoe ride Oct 15-18:

Oct 15: Bishop

Lodging: Travelodge

Address: 155 E Elm st, Bishop, CA 93514

Booking link:

https://groups.wyndhamhotels.com/housing/south-coast-riders-club-cb2uoqme

Discounted group rate: $145.00/might + tax – Two double beds

Phone: 760-872-1771

 

Oct 16:  Lake Tahoe – Kings beach

Lodging: Crown Motel

Address: 8200 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA 96143

Discounted group rate: $168.00 + tax – Two double beds

Phone: 530-546-3388

 

Oct 17: Mamooth

Lodging: Alpenhof Lodge

Address: 6080 Minaret Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA

Discounted group rate: $149.00 + tax – Two double beds

Call front desk directly to get the discounted rate.

Phone: 760-934-6330 – ask for Adam.

 

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