Sonora is the most Alp-like of the major Sierra passes. The ride from Sonora Junction to around Dardanelle is pretty great, and it's still fairly entertaining until almost Long Barn, after which it really calms down. Near the top though, Sonora is a peach! It's steep and tight and has great scenery, and the road surface is not bad.
One thing that is true for a number of the Sierra passes is that the western approach is long and rather shallow, which means you have to be patient waiting for the good stuff. However, the eastern approaches tend to be steep, dramatic, and fun! This is certainly true for Sonora and Ebbetts passes.
Leaving Modesto and heading out through the curves into the forest this road is a nice one
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