Southern California - Question about the Sierras

I'm heading up to the Sierras this week to ride the infamous hills. I plan on riding Horseshoe Meadows, Rock Creek Road, Whitney Portal, Onion valley, and maybe Ancient Bristlecone. At least that's the plan depending on how I hold up. Is there water along these roads or should I bring a camelbak as I have no SAG?

Camelbak, definitely.

Depending on the temps, some of these climbs will be hard without support (additional water). I climbed up to the Bristlecone forest a few weeks back and the temps reaches as high as 106 at the bottom of the climb. You can check out my ride report:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=324615&highlight=white

I have done some of the other passes you have mentioned in the Sierras, but mainly in the spring or fall (later summer). Getting water during the climbs is not likely. If you are driving, you can drive to the top and plant water bottles along the route, then park your car at a picnic /camping area near the summits, descend and then climb the passes.

Large camelbak and extra water. Fairly remote and will be hot. Can someone sag for you? That's your best option.

I'm heading up to the Sierras this week to ride the infamous hills. I plan on riding Horseshoe Meadows, Rock Creek Road, Whitney Portal, Onion valley, and maybe Ancient Bristlecone. At least that's the plan depending on how I hold up. Is there water along these roads or should I bring a camelbak as I have no SAG?Horseshoe and Bristlecone are both 25 mile climbs and Whitney Portal is I think 13. There is no water at all on any of them. When we did Horseshoe we left at 6am and needed water by the second switchback.It was really hot when we came down and I took 2 bottles up the Portal road but only made it to the first switchback and was dry.You could probably make it with a large Camelback and 2 bottles. Be sure to take food as well. When I got to the top I was pretty well depleted and a sandwich and a coke sure helped. Have a great time those are awesome climbs.

one variation you might want to try if you're feeling good, is to ride up Lower Rock Creek Rd (beginning down in Paradise) which you can then link with Upper Rock Creek Rd up to Mosquito Flats, total elevation around 6K feet in about 20 miles or climbing

Thanks for the advice all. I will definitely bring the camelbak with me. This is the first time I've ever been up there so this is kind of a spur of the moment type thing and I've been enamored with the ride reports I've seen here.

Man, you are ambitious!
I have driven both Horseshoe Meadow and Bristlecone, they are steep especially Bristlecone. At least you will have the views to enjoy.

Well I hope to climb those roads. I guess I'll find out if I actually can.

have fun. great rides. i did horseshoe and bristlecone with 2 bottles - ran out 3/4 up doing bristlecone, but was fine. i'd think an extra bottle in a jersey pocket would be sufficient, but I don't usually drink tons of fluid. and i hate camelbaks.

Rock Creek has plenty of water... But you'll need to filter and/or purify it before consuming.

Rock Creek has plenty of water... But you'll need to filter and/or purify it before consuming.Rock Creek is one that you won't have any trouble with water. Tom's Place store is at the bottom at 395 and there is a store at Rock Creek Lake close to the top if you go to Mosquito trailhead.

I'm off to Lone Pine. If I survive, I'll post some pictures. Thanks all

I rode up Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal today. Both rides were well worth the trip here. Although Horseshoe was intimidating to see on the mountainside before me.
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4189/p1000390yk8.jpg

Nice! Was there water at the Campground at the top of Horseshoe Meadows? Any at to top of Whitney Portal?

Yes there was water at both places. Of course Whitney Portal also had the store so I downed a bottle of gatorade as well.

I rode up Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal today. Both rides were well worth the trip here. Although Horseshoe was intimidating to see on the mountainside before me.
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4189/p1000390yk8.jpgGood job.:DFrom the pic it looks like you took the Tuttle Creek road to Horseshoe, some of the guys I went with went that way. It's supposed to be pretty. I know what you mean about staring up at the road from town I stared up at that for a complete day, going "I can't believe I'm going up that" Later it was "I can't believe I went up that":eek: You must be really strong, go get the rest of them.

Tuttle Creek was nice but the road was really bad. It's a good thing I only saw it last night. If I had a whole day to think about it I might have lost my nerve. I thought Whitney Portal was actually harder than Horseshoe Meadows but that could have been the heat as I did it in the afternoon.

Tuttle Creek was nice but the road was really bad. It's a good thing I only saw it last night. If I had a whole day to think about it I might have lost my nerve. I thought Whitney Portal was actually harder than Horseshoe Meadows but that could have been the heat as I did it in the afternoon.

Well did you do the Portal after Horseshoe Meadows?? Understandable if it seemed harder then! I bailed on the Portal after doing Horseshoe. Once the Portal road hits the mountain, then makes the Z up it, it gets really steep. Much steeper than Horseshoe ever is, I think. I remember something like 15%.

You didn't happen to get a burger at the portal did you? Possibly one of the best burgers I've ever had.

Yeah I rode it after Horseshoe Meadows. Where exactly is the cafe? All I saw was the store. It was all steep for me starting about a mile before the switchback to the summit.

Yeah I rode it after Horseshoe Meadows. Where exactly is the cafe? All I saw was the store. It was all steep for me starting about a mile before the switchback to the summit.

The grill is off the back of the store - you order a burger from the checkout counter. Nothing like eating there after coming off the trail. Dunno if I'd have that appetite after just finishing the climb though!