drhaller

We moved to Auburn, CA at the beginning of the year and finally had some time to take in a scenic drive today. My wife suggested taking in highway 49 north of Auburn. It was raining at home so I knew we were going to have fun on our drive :-).

We started in Auburn and went up 49 through Nevada City and continued up through to <a href="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/YubaPass-SierraCo.jpg">Yuba Pass (el. 6712ft) in Sierra County</a>. From here we continued on 49 till we came to highway 89 and continued to Truckee and caught the 80 (<a href="http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/winter_driving.html">R2-chain controlled</a>) back to Auburn... passing through <a href="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/YubaPass-NevadaCo.jpg">Yuba Pass, Nevada Co. (el. 5600 ft)</a>. Most of our route can be seen on this <a href="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/Highway49.gif">map (best part high-lighted in green)</a> that I found <a href="http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/Highway49.htm">here</a>.

The quattro system had quite a workout today, so did the ESP light. I'm surprised that we got decent gas mileage (24.3mpg) especially considering the high elevations and climbs that we did. The only bad part of the drive was dodging the bozo's that snuck through chain control with no chains on the way back down 80.

/dan

Pictures were taken near Yuba Pass, Sierra County.

<img src="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/Summit.JPG">

<img src="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/A6Profile.JPG">

<img src="http://www.hallerfamily.net/49Drive/NaturalElement.JPG">

gdog009

was in the sierras last weekend (Mammoth- my roomie is there this weekend reaping all the benefits of all the fresh pow... I will be sure to kick him in the nuts when he gets back. me = jealous)

beautiful place, beautiful pics.

Stoney

I've been to Auburn once, and drove past it many times on the way to Tahoe over the last 40 years. I'd like to hear more about your move and impressions of the area.

Glad to see those wheels getting put to good use. ;^)

Our drive today, taking advantage of the brief nice weather, was east through San Filipe canyon, then south to Uvas road (two of my favorite high-speed deserted roads with roller-coaster like thrills... including cresting corners that send the car a bit sideways). We then had an early supper in San Juan Batista, a block from the Mission, and then enjoyed the view from the mission on the edge of the San Andreas Fault towards the hills in the east.

I'll add your post to my favorite drives group of messages in the FAQ:<ul><li><a href="http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/files/a6_links.html#norcal">http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/files/a6_links.html#norcal</a</li></ul>

nirad

Why no centercaps?

PCH_4.2

I just got home w/ the family from a horrendous drive thru a rainstorm tonight and I felt at ease with quattro on my side. Can't live without it...

PCH_4.2

a black S4 was running with me on the 118fwy tonite at 1:30am...got out the same exit as me.

he turned on his fogs for me and then did a 4th/5th gear run for me after I changed lanes behind him. i guess he thought i was going to follow him, but i still caught up to him at the offramp.

drhaller

that the winter wheels go on and come off so frequently. Besides, I always have to check lug torque after 25 and 50 miles of driving (at least that is what I like doing), and the center caps get in the way of that.

I always spend the $2.25 to use a "u-wash-it" station after returning from the snow - again they get in the way.

Truth is, the center caps have only been in place before the twin-spokers became my winter wheels.

/dan

Wireless

snow was outstanding.

2.7Twin

for a quattro. ;-) Glad you had a good time!

gdog009

btw- i didn't do it, he was already asleep when I got home... = )