This is a beautiful ride that will take you to one of the best views possible in the Yosemite area without having to climb the cable ladder like Half Dome. The weather in Fish Camp is very nice in the summer as it is at least 10* cooler than around Bass Lake. Do not forget to bring your camera and lots of water and snacks or a picnic lunch. This ride can be as long as 20 miles or as short as you would like.You can also combine this ride with the Nelder Grove Ride to extend the mileage if you are up for an epic ride.The best starting point is from somewhere on the Jackson-Big Sandy dirt road in Fish Camp, Ca. To get there from Oakhurst, drive north on State Route 41 about 14 miles until you come to the Jackson-Big Sandy Road. You can park here at the intersection across from the Tenaya Cottages Lodge. I prefer to park in the parking lot at the Tenaya Lodge next door about 100 yards north on Hwy 41. After your ride you can come back and enjoy the ambiance of this wonderful facility with it’s great dining and if you stay here there are great swimming pools indoor and outdoor, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness center etc.
As I mentioned earlier, you can shorten the mileage of this ride by driving east on Jackson-Big Sandy road to the Big Sandy Campground and park there. As you pass through the campground heading east, turn right up the hill and continue about two miles until you get to Sky Ranch Road. Turn left and ride for about a mile and you will come to a parking area for the Fresno Dome Trail Head. From here bikes are discouraged from riding on the trail to the dome, so I would recommend bringing a lock to lock them up around a tree. The short hike will take you up to the top of the dome where the views are spectacular. After leaving the dome, you can take the same route back or extend your ride by riding south on Sky Ranch Road past the Jackson Big Sandy Rd. until you come to the Nelder Grove redwood forest. Along the way, you will pass by Kelty meadow and Soquel meadow as well as two roads that take off to the left. The turnoff to the Nelder Grove is on the right about a mile from the Soquel/Grey’s Mtn. turnoff. Ride up into the campground and take a tour of the grove along the Chimney Tree Trail and don’t forget to check out the Big Buck Tree. For more information about how to get back to the Tenaya Lodge at Fish Camp, please review the Nelder Grove Ride article.
Trail info and photos from: http://www.yosemitebicycle.com/
