Spectacular Sonora Pass, California Highway 108. Steep grades, hairpin curves, narrow, and gorgeous!

We drive a 1930 Model A Roadster up California Highway 108, (AKA Sonora Pass), two weeks after it opens from being blocked with snow. This extremely steep, curved, narrow highway offers some of the most spectacular views in the north Sierra Nevada Mountains. Come along for the ride as we explore the phenomenal beauty of West Walker canyon to Sonora Pass. You won't be disappointed.
Filmed along California's Hwy 108, July 3rd 2023.
Majestic Hills by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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[@bruceskehan251]

Awesome thank you for letting me go along. I have driven that pass but on a Bike, Truly awesome. B

[@modelajim1930]

Hello Bruce, Thank you for your viewership and comment. Hwy 108 would be a lot of fun on a motorcycle as long as you knew where the hairpin curves are. It’s a little work in a 94 year old car but always a great trip. Thanks, Jim & Lindy

[@davidbreeding9287]

Love the roll up table… my husband David said to tell you that you produce the best video and pictures of model a, on the www. And you are articulate as well… keep it up.

[@modelajim1930]

Wow! Thank you so much for the compliment/ feedback. We’re having fun making the videos, and blessed people take the time to watch them. Appreciate you so much. The table is called “ Roll-a-table”, I’ve had this one for a couple decades now, but I purchased a couple on Amazon last Christmas for relatives. They’re great and come in handy for all kinds of functions. Thanks for watching. Jim & Lindy.

[@jeffgrier8488]

Those were definitely some breathtaking views, thanks for sharing them with us and taking us along!

[@modelajim1930]

Thanks Jeff, appreciate the feedback and you watching.

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Oh my, that brought back memories. I'm from New England, but lived in Nevada City from 2010-2019. I took a trip to Yosemite in early June of 2011, entering via Tioga Pass (beautiful) and left via the other end near Hech Heche. We spent the night at the southern end of 108. The next day we then traveled 108 up to Sonora Pass. It was a white knuckle drive for me (I was driving). The road seemed narrower then?? I was so focused on looking down at the road that I missed the beauty!! Thank you for this video, it's breathtakingly beautiful.

[@modelajim1930]

Glad you enjoyed the video, and your memories are not wrong, the road is plenty narrow in many places. Since you were focusing on the road, I hope the video gave you the scenery. Jim & Lindy.

[@mrc1539]

Not sure which is more beautiful , the car or the views . They are both awesome ! 😉

[@modelajim1930]

Thank you very much!

[@glenstribling6123]

108 is one of the best motorcycle roads in the west. Hwy 12 in Utah is neck and neck. Such good memories.

[@modelajim1930]

Glad you enjoyed the video, yes very popular with the motorcycle crowd. Just watch out for them hairpin curves!!

[@TonyCorsaro]

Yup… that’s a nice lap.. Monitor, Ebbetts, and Sonora. We saw lots of guys cruising it late May about 10 years ago when we were on road bikes coming in from Markleeville. Beautiful country!

[@orestesdominguez6924]

Very nice video. Beautiful views, beautiful car, lucky man !!

[@modelajim1930]

Thank you for watching and for the compliments. Hwy 108 is a very beautiful drive any time of year, but especially during the snow melt, it just opened up this year last week.

[@bigdaddio1959]

In my bike racing youth, we would ride the Sonora Pass at least twice year.

[@modelajim1930]

That’s a workout for sure. We saw I think two bike cyclists . Now that’s crazy hard.

[@TonyCorsaro]

I rode Sonora Pass from the Eastside on my road bike a few years ago but turned around before the steep narrow section on the Westside. Didn’t make it to Dardanelles. That’s a steep and windy road. Super fun on the road bike though. And it was a beautiful day for it.

[@modelajim1930]

Hey Tony, Yes a beautiful drive for sure. A bit of a workout with out power steering and mechanical brakes, but we enjoy it very much much and drive it at least every other year. Thanks for watching and commenting. Appreciate it.

[@stephendurvin7372]

Very nice! Love the sound of the model A working. I can’t watch your videos one time I have to go back and appreciate again and again

[@modelajim1930]

Stephen, Thank you for the wonderful compliment, no more joyful sound than a running Model A Ford!

[@markwassman2265]

oh wow i wish i was there your livin the life amazing i need to be more brave like you with my 29 ford truck you give me hope

[@modelajim1930]

Mark, they were made to drive. Do a good restoration, and get out on the road! Until then we're happy to have you be a passenger with us. Thanks for coming along for the ride. appreciate the comment.

[@WesleyKor9]

It was nice meeting you guys! Awesome video and looking forward for more of your adventures! - Wesley and Marianna 👋🏻

[@modelajim1930]

Hi Guys! Thanks for your Cameo! Look for us at Hot August Nights, love to see you guys there. Appreciate you being part of the video.

[@kennyc388]

Absolutely enjoyed this video. Beautiful Sierra Nevada scenery and a beautiful Model A Ford winding it's way through the mountains. Have subscribed so I can enjoy another old vehicle out on the roads. Thank you ! Also, your skills as a videographer are pretty nice.

[@modelajim1930]

Kenny, thank you so much for the compliment and feedback. What type of “old vehicle on the road” do you have? Thank you for subscribing, we have lots more trips planned in the high Sierra’s, so yes, please come along for the ride.

[@BobWojtyla]

Beautiful.

[@modelajim1930]

Appreciate the feedback and comment. Thanks for watching.

[@paulhunter546]

Almost learned that lesson crossing Wyoming years back on my Yamaha Virago 920..pulled into Kaycee Wyoming and put 3.34 gals in a 3.5 gal tank 🧐😳😁

[@myronjacobs5014]

Hi, we here all the way in the Caribbean island of Curaçao enjoyed you video and well documented trip immensely. Regards and thanks for this awesome footages.

[@modelajim1930]

Wow! My first international viewer that I know about, Thank you so much for the comment and for watching . I was in Cartagena earlier this year, but that's the closest I've been to your location. Appreciate you coming along for the ride!

[@WilliamkAndrus-wf7qm]

Was just thare My first motorcycle road trip. It was amazing. If you thinking about it just do it

[@modelajim1930]

Hello William, I’m sure it was a lot of fun on a Motorcycle. The scenery is incredible. Glad you enjoyed the video. Glad you got the trip in before the weather changed. Almost time to put the toys away for the season. Safe riding out there.

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Enjoy video! Mike from Missouri

[@modelajim1930]

Thanks Mike, Appreciate the support and feedback.

[@re1094]

Wow, you out did yourself on this tour. Breathtaking video, kudos to your wife, great filming. I'm sure photos do not do it justice. Thanks again for the ride. p.s. great job judging your gas. that was close.

[@modelajim1930]

Thank you Paul, appreciate your comment and feedback. I'll relay your compliment to Lindy, it will give her confidence. It was a bummer about the gas, we missed filming some more nice spots. Always next year.

[@andregomes7797]

Fantastic! My wife and I crossed Sonora on July 12 after visiting Yosemite and heading to Lake Tahoe. The scenery, the snowpack, and the breathtaking views were some of the best things in our entire travel. Especially because we do not have this kind of snow here in Brazil :) Your video brought me great memories. Thank you!!

[@modelajim1930]

Very happy you enjoyed the video, sound like you were just a few days after us. If you visited Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, you got to see a lot of our backyard playground. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Appreciate the comment, and viewing. Jim & Lindy

[@harlow743]

Blew a clutch out of my VW bus on 108 in 1972.........going downhill.

[@modelajim1930]

It’s a steep one for sure. Especially with mechanical brakes. But we enjoy it. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for watching and commenting. Appreciate it very much.

[@deanjernstrom3760]

Kind of makes you feel small when it comes to an area like that. You car looks great regardless of where you go. Thanks for your time.

[@mamabearsantos4897]

Beautiful car, beautiful scenery, beautiful video! I’ve been fortunate to have driven through 395 a few times but never the Sonora pass. I’ve been missing out for sure! Putting on my list! Thanks for the video 💚💙🌲

[@modelajim1930]

Dear Mama Bear, Yes it is a beautiful drive, I highly recommend it. I'll be posting a video within the next week of Hwy 4, the next Sierra Mountain Pass to the north. It's beautiful as well and even more challenging to drive. Please come along for the ride. Thank you for your comment. Please subscribe!

[@lionelborges8094]

Lionel here in Central California. Very nice. Not sure what your original intention was, but gas was much closer if you kept going and about 50 more miles of beautiful forest. I’ve ridden 108 on my Harleys about 50 times over the years from the Central Valley to Highway 395. It’s one of many scenic roads in California. I make that statement having ridden in 38 states and about a half million miles.

[@benmoody4757]

Thanks for the trip. I have a 29 Tudor on the flat roads of Florida. The downhill ride would be most scary to me with model A brakes.

[@modelajim1930]

Hey Ben, I recently re-did the brakes on the Roadster, so they were solid on this trip. A few years back, with old brakes it was a bit more scary. Thanks for your comment and for coming along for the ride, greatly appreciate the support.

[@rustyneuron]

Imagine driving this pass in that model A when it was new. I wonder if the road was gravel then?

[@modelajim1930]

As steep and curving as it is today, I’m sure it was considerably worse. Probably not much more than wagon tracks in 1930. Thanks for your comment and for coming along for the ride. Greatly appreciate it.

[@josef9001]

Oh and i love your car. What is it? I shared this video with my brother cause he wants to drive sonora pass.

[@modelajim1930]

The car is a 1930 Model A Ford Deluxe Roadster. It’s 94 years old and I’m the third owner. It’s a joy to drive in scenic places. Thanks for sharing the video. Hope you get a chance to drive Hwy 108.

[@burkestorti4586]

Try it on a bicycle! The down hill on the east side is killer!

[@modelajim1930]

I’ve seen bike cycles on the route. That’s a work out for sure.

[@burkestorti4586]

@@modelajim1930 That was my first bike tour. I rode 6 days, solo from Redwood City east to Stockton, Sonora, over the pass.. 395 south to Lee Vinning. Then west to Tioga pass & home by way Yosemite, Tracy (my current home) & home. BTW my dad had a 1929 Model A Town Sedan.

[@Hogger280]

What? You couldn't buy gas in Sonora? Love the views and your choice of music.

[@modelajim1930]

We were not going down the hill as far as Sonora. I had planned to go as far as Kenny Meadows North, but I'm unsure if they have fuel there. Couldn't take the chance that they didn't. Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@jimw1615]

Sonora is 65 miles from Sonora Pass itself. Kennedy Meadows, Dardanelle and Strawberry have fuel, also.

[@jimcunningham4127]

Did you drive all the way over are you went back towards Walker to get gas, on was on the pass by Kennedy Meadows on the 3rd. Of July. No that pass pretty well how was the pull from Leavitt Pack Station up the hill to Leavitt Falls. Read where you say you have mechanical brakes. Do you have cast iron hubs? Love the videos, also the others to Breckinridge Colorado.

[@modelajim1930]

Hi Jim, We live in Reno so left Reno early morning, went up over the summit and down the other side about 5 miles. Wanted to go all the way to Kennedy Meadows North, but was unsure if they have fuel there. Couldn't risk going and finding out they don't, so we turned around and went back the way we had come. Model A's are so low geared the steep grades aren't really a problem, going down is more concerning. But my car has all new brake components, so we were good. Thanks for watching the videos, Appreciate you coming along for the ride.

[@septembersurprise5178]

I have heard it said that, "Thinking is the best way to travel." But that old Ford ain't bad. What was your fuel mileage on an excursion like this? Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@modelajim1930]

I can usually get around 18 mpg in my model A's but when you throw in a bunch of extremely steep mountains, all bets are off. I'm sure up Hwy 108 we were in the 12-14 mpg range.

[@septembersurprise5178]

​@@modelajim1930 That number surprises me, I would have guessed higher on both scenarios, but the smiles per gallon is the important number. Happy Motoring! "Model A's? Are you a hoarder Sir?

[@modelajim1930]

@@septembersurprise5178 Model A's are very light weight cars, but they are not at all aerodynamic. In the 30's the roads were horrible, so it wasn't about speed. It was about getting through the mud and ruts. At the speeds we drive them today the lack of aerodynamic's is its downfall as far as gas mileage is concerned.

[@karayowell9777]

Dang! You guys cut it close with the gas! 😬

[@modelajim1930]

Kara, We were practicing the "Just in Time Inventory System". Didn't want to be carrying extra weight up the hill.

[@karayowell9777]

@@modelajim1930 ah, got it!

[@NBZW]

20 or so years ago we were returning from Bridgeport via 108, made it as far as the Marine base and what do I spy ahead? An 18 wheeler that’s what. Had been driving over Sonora Pass for years so I was aware of a few passing locations but as expected the driver wouldn’t allow us by, told my wife he won’t make it passed the hairpins which he didn’t. Now he has the road blocked in both directions with the trailer about to leave the pavement. For us it’s back to 395, up to 89 and home. Was the rig still there 😉?

[@modelajim1930]

Must have been a non-English reading driver, there’s only a half- dozen signs saying no trucks. We didn’t see any simi- trucks, but a couple of motorhomes that I feared would be the same result! Luckily for us we were ahead of them. Thank you for watching and your comment, greatly appreciate it! Jim & Lindy

[@NBZW]

@@modelajim1930 I’d wager you are correct, the trailer had out of state plates, remember telling the wife, this dude can’t read.

[@NBZW]

Used to travel 4 and 88 late nights would see many Nevada licensed rigs hauling hay in order to bypass the bug stations. That’s really a sweet little Ford❤

[@ModelARickLasCruces]

Curious: does your 1930 De Luxe Roadster have an overdrive?

[@modelajim1930]

Hello Rick, it does NOT have an overdrive, but I do have the higher speed pinion gears in the banjo. It's such a light car, the higher pinion allows it go about 5 mph faster. It does suffer more going uphill, but overall its a good setup.

[@ModelARickLasCruces]

@@modelajim1930 Interesting. I think it would be much more pleasurable with an o-drive. Wish I had one :)

[@modelajim1930]

@@ModelARickLasCruces Overdrives certainly can help with the mountain driving we have around here!

[@josef9001]

108 is the steepest highest pass in the u.s. 26% grade

[@modelajim1930]

I believe it! It’s a fun one to drive without power steering and mechanical brakes for sure! Thanks for watching and your comment. Jim & Lindy

[@josef9001]

So you started on the eastern side? I've driven this pass in both summer and winter till the road closed gate. It's so beautiful. 1st time in winter to go ride some sleds in the ever expansive back country. Was just in awe. Awesome video. Best one of 108 I've seen. I only live a couple hours from the pass. I need to go back.

[@modelajim1930]

@@josef9001 Yes, we live in Reno, so Eastern side for us. Had planned to go farther West, but as I say in the video, we were a little light in the gas tank. Thanks for watching, appreciate it very much.

[@michaeldeal4846]

Which Costco gas station was that at?

[@scienceobrien8335]

You should close the Rumble seat for better aerodynamics 😂

[@modelajim1930]

Hello, Yes agreed. It was open only for a few minutes during that particular shot.