IMO CA-190 beats Tail of the Dragon

[Kimsey47]

So to all those who are out west who always hear about the Tail of the Dragon being such a great road, I feel that California may have something superior. This weekend I had the pleasure to visit the Sequoia National Forest and upon departing ended up taking CA-190 from Ponderosa down into Springville. This road seemed completely superior to the Tail of the Dragon for several reasons:

Positives:
1. Lack of traffic - There was barely anyone out
2. Views views views - The Dragon is beautiful, especially in fall, but the views off this mountain road were amazing
3. Tons of curves and switchbacks

Potential Drawbacks:
1. I didn't end up needing to fuel up, but it looked like you were very limited in fuel options
2. A bit remote (however this is also a positive)
3. Lack of cell signal - Should you run into issues this could be bad

Anyway, I wanted to point out such an amazing road to folks who may live or drive out west that don't know about it. If I could ever get back out there with my STI I'd totally be making the effort to drive this road. For those who know about this road and have driven it I'd be interested to know why it isn't more popular!

Thanks,

Kimsey

[Daver]

Meh.



I'll give you that the views are likely spectacular

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by Daver

Meh.

I'll give you that the views are likely spectacular

There are two portions, the one through Death Valley is totally meh... Look further to the west coming out of the Sequoia National Forest.

I don't know how to include the shot so here's the Google Maps view: https://www.google.com/maps/place/CA...4d-117.8957571

[Daver]

Oh! Nice that looks wayyyyy better. Add it to the bucket list!

[WolfpackS2k]

Tail of the Dragon is great, and two major things it really has going for it is: 1) most cars know to pull over to let sports cars get by & 2) no intersecting roads or driveways along the route.

Unfortunately it is now a victim of it's own success and is way too crowded. The last time I went I didn't get a single clean pass. And this was early morning on a weekday mind you. There are other roads in the area (area being 200-300 sq mile area lol) that are just as good if not better. Unfortunately, on those roads there are usually a few intersections, people's houses along the routes, and if you catch up to a slow vehicle they are highly unlikely to pull over for you.

So it's a mixed bag.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Tail of the Dragon is great, and two major things it really has going for it is: 1) most cars know to pull over to let sports cars get by & 2) no intersecting roads or driveways along the route.

Unfortunately it is now a victim of it's own success and is way too crowded. The last time I went I didn't get a single clean pass. And this was early morning on a weekday mind you. There are other roads in the area (area being 200-300 sq mile area lol) that are just as good if not better. Unfortunately, on those roads there are usually a few intersections, people's houses along the routes, and if you catch up to a slow vehicle they are highly unlikely to pull over for you.

So it's a mixed bag.

Agreed, the Dragon is just wayyy too busy. You pointed out that cars will pull over; however, the last few times I've been the Harley riders are the worst at not pulling over and barely putting along!

That is why I enjoyed the CA-190 route as it was seemed to be very barren of folks outside of locals who relied on it to get home. Hell, I only saw one motorcycle and I have no reason to believe that it wasn't just another local! Oh, and the speed limit was at 55mph... WOOT!

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by Daver

Oh! Nice that looks wayyyyy better. Add it to the bucket list!

Look further north at CA-198! WOW!

[JeremyR]

https://goo.gl/maps/eEttrzcob3H2

Possible fun route?

i'm sure there's plenty of great places to eat in the mountains too!

[Rampage]

The Tail of the Dragon (US129) is a great road. 318 curves in 11 miles makes it more like an 11 mile autocross than a highway. Small, light cars are a blast on it.

Problems are traffic, high concentration of LEO (especially TN Highway Patrol), motorcyclist with a death wish crossing double yellows, pick-ups towing boats, campers and the occasional wayward truck.

I went 4 years in a row but have skipped the last two since they lowered the speed limit from 35 to 30 MPH. That just makes the traffic worse and the potential ticket fines bigger. The only times to get fast runs are after dark when the LEO go home but in the morning you can see traces of the previous night's carnage with skid marks and impact evidence on granite mountainsides and roadside trees. Not for the feint of heart.

All that said. Everyone should try it once.

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

You pointed out that cars will pull over; however, the last few times I've been the Harley riders are the worst at not pulling over and barely putting along!

Harley riders are by far and away the worst group of vehicle operators in America. There should be government subsidies for controlling their population in the wild.

[Adam_L]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

Harley riders are by far and away the worst group of vehicle operators in America. There should be government subsidies for controlling their population in the wild.

bunch of Sissy-bar freaks. It might have been cool 40-50 years ago (Easy Rider) , but now a days you got some massive 4000+ lbs vehicles on the road to contend with. Not worth your health.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

https://goo.gl/maps/eEttrzcob3H2

Possible fun route?

i'm sure there's plenty of great places to eat in the mountains too!

That looks like a great route... If you take it be sure to check out the Sequoia trees you may be near because they're amazing! With their being so large they feel fake. (That's what she said)

[mav1178]

190 is great and all, but it's far away from everywhere unless you're going to Sequoia.

Back in 2014 I did this drive from LA and back, the only exception was I drove PCH all the way from San Luis Obispo to SF instead of via the 101 + PCH from SF to Fort Bragg. (I also took SR120 to cut across to Mammoth instead of via Lake Tahoe).

PCH from north of SF to the Oregon state line is infinitely better than every other road I've been on during my 30+ years in California, mostly because it is fun to drive on at normal speeds and the views are second to none.

SR198 between Coalinga and the 101 is good as well, the only problem is that there's only about 15-20 minutes worth of "fun" and the rest is mostly flat with dry terrain to look at. I take it as a detour while going to Laguna Seca, but that's about all I use it for.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

That looks like a great route... If you take it be sure to check out the Sequoia trees you may be near because they're amazing! With their being so large they feel fake. (That's what she said)

Kinda like this: