Yes, the steep climbs and rugged terrain make this a challenging ride.
Feliciana Mountain: Epic Views Extending Throughout the Sierra Nevada
Written by: Chris Van Leuven | February 25, 2025 | Time to read 7 min
This scenic ride takes you up, way up in the mountains where snowcapped peaks and oak and pine trees pepper the horizon near Yosemite.
More about the Author: Chris Van Leuven
Chris is a writer, climber, and founder of Yosemite E-Biking in Mariposa, CA. When he’s not tackling Sierra Foothills trails or scaling rock walls, he’s crafting adventure stories with his boxer, Fenster. His work has appeared in Outside, Men’s Journal, Gripped, and Best American Sports Writing.
It’s that first bend you come around, where Feliciana Mountain Road cuts out into a straight ridgeline, the trees open up, and views become 360 degrees. Ahead is a weaving dirt road stretching up the next mountain, with dramatic drops on either side. I remember vividly my first time here last winter while riding between storms: the clouds parted, opening the view of rolling mountains in all directions. There was no sign of the unincorporated town of Midpines and the nearby hub of Mariposa, nothing but endless views of the wild. Looking down were deep river canyons, hills as far as the eyes can see, and Yosemite Valley tucked out of view to the east.
Riding big mountains in the Sierra Nevada offers big-time adventure. I’ll ride up to 50 miles of rough terrain in a day, bathing in the beauty for hours on end. This is made even more exciting in winter. I use an electric bike from the Mountain collection. I use the Aventon Aventure.
Check out the blog “How to Maximize E-Bike Battery Range in Cold Weather,” which shows the importance of riding in lower pedal assist modes, and carrying a spare battery (I use a waterproof carrier on my rear rack wrapped and cinched down in a foam pad to protect the battery from bouncing), and maintaining proper tire pressure. Check out panniers in this section.
The Sierra foothills leading into Yosemite are simply incredible. These hills are steep and continuous, but all the effort makes the views worth it. I’ve done this ride on a powerful e-Bike and a standard bike and learned it takes three times longer on a manual one. Read the difference in the blog Electric Bike vs. Normal Bike: Pros & Cons.
Climbing Out of Midpines
140. Opened in 1926 by the area’s first postmaster, it was then called the Carstens building, and
today, an outbuilding from that era remains near the store. Next to the bathrooms is a cute little
shop offering quick bites from the friendly owners.
This loop is roughly 15 miles, a reasonable distance to ride with a single battery, but it can easily
be extended for double that length.
From the start, ride about a mile east toward Yosemite until you reach Ponderosa Way and head
up. Immediately, you’ll want to shift into granny gear as you climb through a small
neighborhood before cutting off (left) onto Feliciana Mountain. Here, the terrain becomes gravel,
and as you pass the final residence and an open Forest Service gate, the terrain gets rough. A
yellow sign marks what’s ahead: uneven terrain recommended for 4 X 4s. Another sign states
you’re entering the 1.3 million-acre Sierra National Forest, which borders Yosemite National
Park.
When I crossed the gate on a rainy winter day, I ran into a friend on a motorcycle covered in
mud. He had just slid out on a patch of wet clay, which is slick as snot, gets stuck in every part of
your e-Bike, and is a pain to remove. Because of the dangers of riding over wet clay, avoid e-
Biking on dirt roads here for at least two days after rain.
Entering the Sierra National Forest
Once past the gate, the terrain continues to climb, with blue oaks and manzanita paralleling the
road. A few sustained climbing sections break up lower-angle stretches. At these steep stretches,
I pause and let the e-Bike cool off for a few minutes before taking on the next challenge. This
allows the bike to operate at its best; otherwise, it may turn off to prevent overheating. I use the
rest to drink water, gobble down a few snacks, and de-layer if I’m overheating.
The terrain above the ridgeline doesn’t ease off for several miles. The ride starts at 2,400 feet,
and now you’re nearing 4,000. The higher you get, the more expansive the views become. To the
north, you can see Burma Grade climbing out of the Merced River Canyon, and to the west is
Telegraph Hill, which has a clear zigzagging dirt road leading to its summit (you can see El Cap
and Half Dome from here).
After fifteen to twenty minutes of uphill grinding, you’ll reach the summit of Feliciana Mountain
at 4,154 feet. Past this is a junction (keep right), where going left takes you to Sweetwater Ridge
Road and the option to descend an abandoned road called Buffalo Gulch. Don’t descend Buffalo
Gulch as it’s abandoned, overgrown, and has many downed trees. Plus, it crosses into private
property and is guarded by a gate. Sweetwater Ridge Road eventually dead ends.
Continue on Feliciana Mountain Road toward the next junction two miles away, known locally
as The Platform, a wide-open dirt lot so big you could land a helicopter on it. Here, you’re met
with options: Cutting left on Sweetwater Ridge Road goes deep into the Sierra and eventually
comes to a dead end. It’s good for a scenic out-and-back ride.
Extending the Ride
For an extended ride, stay on Feliciana as it winds south, avoiding climbing a series of summits
via a gentle dirt road that passes an old mining camp before reaching 4,485-foot Buckingham
Mountain. Descending Buckingham Mountain Road here offers a stunning descent out of the
Sierra foothills and connects to major roads leading back to the Midpines store.
From The Platform, another yellow sign marks the next option and cautions drivers of steep
terrain ahead, following Carstens Road up and over the mountains, which Feliciana Mountain
Road avoids. Note: it’s so steep out of the gate that you’ll have to push your e-Bike and use walk
mode or the throttle to help the bike up the grade. Wild mountain riding crosses over several
peaks from here before joining Feliciana Mountain Road at the Buckingham Mountain Road
junction. Both options dramatically extend the ride, so don’t venture down these without a spare
battery.
Descending Back to Your Car
One more sign leads down Carstens, stating seven miles to Highway 140 and the Midpines store.
Carstens Road dates back to the mid-20 th century when it was used for logging and mining, and it
feels like you’re stepping back in time as you descend it. This is the most traveled road into the
Sierra National Forest in the area and is well maintained, making the ride smooth compared to
other options. The roughly 2,000-foot descent feels like a time warp as you go down, and in mere
moments, you’re back at your car, having just experienced a wild adventure.
Key Takeways
This route takes you deep into the Sierra foothills, where remote dirt roads, panoramic ridgelines,
and hidden mining history make for an unforgettable adventure.
Prepare for a mix of technical sections, long climbs, and fast descents.
With unpredictable conditions and miles of rugged terrain, this ride offers a self-sufficient
adventure where preparation and awareness are key.
Is this ride challenging?
What should I bring?
A spare e-Bike battery, tools, snacks, water and sunscreen, and a GPS or trail map. Be prepared
for spotty services along much of the route.
Any safety tips?
Avoid wet clay roads after rain—they’re dangerously slick. Take breaks to prevent the e-Bike
from overheating.
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