The ride starts in Sonora (photo right) at the intersection of S Washington & Stockton Streets, where Hwy 49 turns left toward Columbia. 

In two miles leave Hwy 49 and follow Parrots Ferry Road.

In just four miles on your right you will pass Columbia Historic State Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soon thereafter you will descend toward and then cross New Melones Lake (photo below).

In just a few more miles you will enter historic Angels Camp, birthplace of Mark Twain's famous short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".

Leaving Angels Camp, you will continue north on Dogtown Road (photo below).  I have a love/hate affair with this road:  I love its isolation and unspoiled natural beauty but hate the bumpy road surface.

 

 

Once you reach Calaveritas Road, the road surface improves significantly. 

 

 

 

 

 

I especially enjoy Calaveritas itself (photo left) and the flower decorated residence just south of the ancient railroad trestle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few miles further takes you to San Andreas and Rest Stop #1.

After a short section of Hwy 49, you will take Hwy 12 to Hwy 26, another road with sections which seems little changed by the passage of time (photo below).

Then turn left on Paloma Road and enjoy a great vista of the Central Valley (photo below).

At last, some downhill!  On Campo Seco Road you will pass the ancient structures of Campo Seco (photos below).

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Then take S Camanche Pkwy and Buena Vista Road to Buena Vista and Ione, where you can make your next refueling stop at Rest Stop #2. 

As you leave Ione, look in your rear view mirror to view Preston Castle (photo right).

Turn right onto Ione-Michigan Bar Road and continue north.  Like other portions of this trip, this road appears relatively undeveloped and unspoiled (photo below).

Finally, take Hwy 16 (Jackson Road) through Rancho Murietta to Sloughhouse (photo below), where in the summer they may be selling their locally famous fresh corn. 

Then continue on to to the Folsom South Canal, which progresses toward Rancho Cordova, the American River Parkway Bike Trail (photo below), and ride's end.