3 Days | ~400 Miles | Scenic Dirt, High Alpine Passes, and Remote Adventure

Ride through California’s rugged Sierra backcountry on a curated 3-day adventure motorcycle tour following the first half of the Northern California BDR. This route offers a perfect mix of forested two-track, challenging optional terrain, and historic sights as you travel from Mammoth Lakes to Truckee via Lake Topaz and Pioneer.

Day 1: Mammoth to Lake Topaz

Your journey begins just outside Mammoth Lakes, atop the breathtaking Minaret Vista at 9,265 feet. After soaking in the high-alpine views, choose between the scenic main route or more technical advanced options that wind through the Jeffrey Pine Forest and around Obsidian Dome, where soft sand and tight turns await.

Descend past the surreal Mono Lake Tufa spires and make your way through the hills above Bodie, one of California’s best-preserved mining ghost towns. (A stop at Bodie State Historic Park is highly recommended.) Finish with fast-flowing two-track that rolls down into the scenic Lake Topaz area, where we camp or lodge near the lake’s edge, resting up for a big Day 2.

Day 2: Lake Topaz to Pioneer

Get ready for a challenging and rewarding day as you leave the lake and head into the Sweetwater Mountains. If you’re up for it, the Mount Patterson expert section delivers steep, loose climbs, remote ridgelines, and deep sand – a true test for any ADV rider. For a less demanding ride, the main route continues north with spectacular Sierra vistas and a mix of dirt and pavement.

Climb over Monitor Pass and wind your way up the legendary Ebbetts Pass, a narrow, twisty one-lane paved road that takes you into the thick pine forests west of the Sierra crest. As you head toward Pioneer, enjoy serene forest roads along the Mokelumne River, and cross the historic Bear River Reservoir Dam before wrapping up the day in this quiet mountain community.

Day 3: Pioneer to Truckee

Your final day begins with forested tracks and winding backroads as you ride north toward Kyburz, where you’ll pick up sections of the historic Pony Express Trail. Banked pavement and remote dirt guide you through the Desolation Wilderness corridor, past Uncle Tom’s Cabin — a rustic watering hole steeped in pioneer history.

The route continues to French Meadows Reservoir, where broken pavement and rocky terrain challenge your focus. Then climb back into the alpine on glorious two-track that opens up to stunning views on your final approach to Truckee. Cap off your ride with a scenic crossing over Donner Pass and a stop at Donner Memorial State Park, where history and high-mountain adventure converge.

Tour Overview

• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
• Total Distance: ~400 miles
• Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced (with optional expert sections)
• Terrain: Mix of dirt roads, two-track, rocky technical options, high-altitude pavement
• Highlights:
  • Minaret Vista, Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town
  • Mount Patterson (Expert Optional)
  • Monitor & Ebbetts Passes
  • Mokelumne & Desolation Wilderness
  • Donner Pass & Historic Railroad Tunnels

Cost: $450 per person

• What’s Included:
  • Professional tour guide and sweep
  • 3 epic days of riding
  • Join us Thursday night in Mammoth for dinner before event
  • Support Truck ONLY if we get at least 8 riders
  • support truck and stocked support vehicle with drinks and snacks
  • suport truck to transport luggage to your hotel each day
  • NOR-CAL BDR Butler Map
  • BMA Adventures T-Shirt
  • Support transportation back to the Valley Area