382 mi · 12,800 ft of climbing · high point 7,795 ft · start/finish downtown Napa (First St & Main St)
Ridden Sep 21, 2026 · High Sierra
The ride
This is the long way to the Rubicon country: Jameson Canyon to I-80, and then I-80 all the way up, through Sacramento, Auburn, Colfax and Cisco Grove, to Donner Pass Road at Soda Springs and over the top into Truckee.
From Truckee, CA-89 follows the Truckee River down toward Tahoe City, and then the route climbs Barker Pass Road up into the high country above the west shore, where it hits the day's high point of 7,795 ft. You come back down to the lake on the Tahoma side and pick up Emerald Bay Road (CA-89) south past Rubicon Bay and around Emerald Bay, one of the best few miles of lakeside road anywhere, then on to Meyers.
Home is Highway 50: over Echo Summit, down past Strawberry, Pollock Pines and Placerville, through Folsom and Sacramento, then I-80 and Jameson Canyon back to Napa. Call it about 382 mi and ~12,800 ft of climbing, a full day. Fuel is easy along I-80, around the lake and on 50, so the main thing is to top off in Truckee or Tahoe City before Barker Pass. Barker Pass Road goes up high and isn't a winter road, and Emerald Bay Road closes now and then for snow and rockfall, so check conditions first.
[Steve: add your full write-up here]
Key roads and highlights
Jameson Canyon Road, I-80 through Sacramento and Auburn
I-80 past Colfax and Cisco Grove
Donner Pass Road at Soda Springs, over Donner Summit
Truckee
CA-89 along the Truckee River
Barker Pass Road, high point ~7,795 ft
Lake Tahoe west shore (Tahoma, Rubicon Bay)
Emerald Bay Road (CA-89) around Emerald Bay
Meyers
US-50 over Echo Summit, home via Placerville and Sacramento
Gallery
Ride photos coming soon
Not starting in Napa? No problem. Every Two Wheel Touring GPX is a loop that begins and ends at First & Main in downtown Napa, but you don't have to. Join the line wherever it's closest to you, ride any section you like, or flip the whole thing and run it the other way. For step-by-step help in Garmin, REVER, Calimoto, Scenic, Google My Maps, and a free GPX editor, see Riding a route from your own start.
Want just this one? Buy this route, $4
Or get every route we ride with Ride Files, $9/month or $50/year. Cancel anytime. Join Ride Files