Highway 108, CA

I drove westward on Highway 108 starting at its turnoff from Highway 395. I went one third of the 80 miles it takes to reach Sonora, California before turning around and returning. Along the way, I saw flowing waters, a geological phenomenon, beautiful mountains, and the area where some important 19th century events took place.

Leavitt Falls

After only nine miles, I stopped to see Leavitt Falls, a 200-foot, multi-tiered waterfall. I was able to view it head-on from a platform and also from a point much closer. The waterfall's location in a steep narrow box canyon combined with the sun's position made the lighting challenging for taking photographs.

Telephoto View of Leavitt Falls from the Platform

From Above and to the Side of Leavitt Falls

During the 5-minute walk between the two viewing points, I took in the amazing scene of Leavitt Meadows with the West Walker River running through and grey mountains in the background.

Leavitt Meadows

Columns of the Giants

The turnaround point of my drive was at the Columns of Giants. They started to be created about 150,000 years ago when lava erupted, flowed until it pooled behind a natural dam, and then slowly cooled, hardened, shrank, and split into multi-sided vertical columns. Later, a moving glacier exposed the columns.

Leftmost Columns

Middle Set of Columns

Rightmost Columns

The short walk to the base of the columns took me across the Middle Fork Stanislaus River which was scenic in its own right.

Middle Fork Stanislaus River

Sonora Pass Route

Early emigrants made their way through the Sierra Nevadas here and in the general area. The Bartleson-Bidwell Party, with mules, horses, and oxen crossed a bit north of the modern Sonora Pass on October 18, 1841. Attempts involving wagons came in 1852. The route followed by Highway 120 was completed as a toll road in 1865.

Southeast View

Trees Find a Purchase on the Mountain Slopes

Bare Up Top, Covered Down Below

On my way back, I stopped in many pullouts along the highway in order to capture some of the interesting, varied, and amazing scenery. One can only imagine at the thoughts and ideas evoked from the countless travelers, from olden to modern times, as they climbed up, through, and down the steep and rocky terrain.

Jagged & Rugged

A Mixture of White, Grey, Tan & Pink

Towering Above

At an elevation of 9,624 feet, Sonora Pass is the route's high point.

View from Sonora Pass

Dark Mountains
(notice the waterfall just above the tree line)