Sonora-Pass - Junction 108 - 395

The Sonora Pass is a very difficult and Steep Pass. If youre coming from Bridgeport the actual Pass Roads starts after you leave US 395 onto State Route 108. It leads you passed a US Marine Base. The road is in pretty good condition. As i road the Pass i hardly passed anybody on the road. In some of the lower slopes you can catch the shade of some tree for a few seconds every now and then but that privilege vanishes quickly as you gain on altitude. This Pass is a Killer...I mean its a Killer. It doesnt matter from which side you climb it. I only advise people to cycle it if they are in good condition. Some sections are so steep (15%-26%) that you pray that your chain breaks before your legs do. These sections arent just a few meters, no, some last for a mile or more. The environment and scenery is beautiful. If youre ever in the area check it out.

The Sonora-Pass is situated in Andalucia and belongs to the Sierra Nevada . Starting from Junction 108 - 395, the Sonora-Pass ascent is 28.29 km long. Over this distance, you climb 1494 heightmeters. The average percentage thus is 5.2 %.

Are you planning to climb the Sonora-Pass? Here, you find all the information to train to climb the Sonora Pass successfully.

Look for other sides to climb the Sonora-Pass.

Story by lance Larsen from Moraga, United States, submitted on 22/05/2008

This pass is one of the more difficult climbs in the Sierra Nevada (California) with many long, extended sections above 10-15 percent, and at least one section topping 26 percent (the topo profile shown on this website is inaccurate based on my data logger and also the road signs indicating grade). It Both the western approach (from the town of Dardenelles, population 3, last water and services) and from the East (from Leavitt Meadows or Highway 395) are equally difficult. Pavement is excellent. Road has little traffic. Highly recommended for scenic beauty, but bring low gears and plenty of water. The pass is 9624 feet mean sea level, which is nearly 3000 m, so altitude is a factor on the final pitches, which are very steep on the east, and moderate on the western approach.

[This one is the profile via the other side. This was not clear at the time of Lance's writing. The profile mentioned, via Dardanelles, has now been added. Search on "Sonora" - CBB]

My personal climb rating:

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