The long and winding road out of Sonora

With a next destination of Reno following Sonora, the majority of our route was via Sonora Pass and through the Stanislaus National Forest.

Sonora Pass

For about 80 miles, Hwy 108 winds its way up from Sonora, through the forest to Sonora Pass and then down the opposite side, arriving at Hwy 395.

With an elevation gain of 7799 feet from Sonora to Sonora Pass, the drive is one of countless switchbacks, hairpin turns and grades up to 25%, – a scenic, but not a casual drive (at least for the driver or the automobile).

However, there are numerous places to pull to the side and capture a glimpse of the beauty that still remains relatively untouched in Sierra Nevada – mountains, forests, valleys, giant Sequoia, craggy rocks and snow-capped peaks.

Sonora Pass is the 2nd highest pass in Sierra Nevada at 9624 ft and is located in the 900,000 acre Stanislaus National Forest which lies on the northwestern border of Yosemite National Park.

More of Sonora Pass

Article by Kim Hull

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