Mosquito Ridge Road - By Guest

The Auburn>Foresthill>Mosquito Pass Rd is still pretty much as described. A few years ago other more remote roads that lead to French Meadows Reservoir, and a few other areas, were paved. That means that one can use the Georgetown route; or, my route. I live at Lake Tahoe, and my route keeps me out of the Sacramento Valley heat, and mostly away from any traffic. I use Ice House Road off Highway 50 (this is east of Placerville), then use Wentworth Springs Road and Eleven Pines Rd....and at the split, take Hell Hole Rd to the left, which goes to French Meadows Rd, leads to the south side of the dam, and there you have Mosquito Ridge, and the boat ramps and campgrounds on the road to the right, maybe 3 or 4 miles further. That road peters out eventually, although you can take it towards highway 80 if you want to. If you have limited fuel capability, I suggest crossing the dam and getting fuel in Foresthill....the Chevron station is 100 feet left of the intersection, and also has ice and some foodstuffs. If you go to the right in Foresthill, there is a popular bikers place to eat..and drink...called the Red Dirt Saloon. Foresthill has a museum and a lodge to stay at...or, do as I do, camp someplace...usually at the reservoir. There is a group campground at the Reservoir, called Black Bear, it is just barely past the McGuire Boat Ramp exit....motorcyclists are welcome for advance reservations. Things used to be pretty nasty on the roads around Wentworth Springs. Now, with the paving and road flattening and smoothing, anyone can enjoy the twists and turns, in/on any vehicle.