Fitness * Street * Historic * Artistic *

From Highway 99 in Manteca, take Highway 120 east to Oakdale, where it makes a 90-degree turn in the middle of town to join Highway 108. At the Yosemite Junction, the two highways split and 108 becomes the Sonora Pass Highway. Follow it about 4.5 miles beyond the Yosemite Junction and, just after passing through Jamestown, exit to the north onto Highway 49. Closer to the town of Sonora, 49 becomes Stockton Street. Turn left onto Washington Street where Stockton dead ends in central Sonora (you're still on Highway 49). Proceed 2.5 miles north to the intersection with Parrotts Ferry Road (County Route E18) and follow it into the old west-style town of Columbia, where it assumes the unlikely (in this case) name of Broadway. Turn right to follow Yankee Hill Road two blocks east to the parking lot on the left just before Columbia Street, in the heart of Columbia. Map: For a free map of Tuolumne County, call or stop by the First American Title Company at 71 Shepherd Street, Sonora, CA 95370; (209) 532-3156.

This loop skate on country back roads is best done early on a weekend morning when traffic is low and the lack of a paved shoulder isn't as much of a safety issue. Experienced road skaters will enjoy the challenge offered by the hills, but do be extra careful, since folks going about their business out here aren't necessarily on the lookout for in-liners. Thick stands of trees create some blind curves, so be sure to listen for the sound of approaching cars; also keep your eyes on the road for a few cracked patches of pavement. Starting from the small old-west town of Columbia, skate east on Yankee Hill Road, which passes by a couple of small ranches on the way out of town and then enters a forest that shades the road. A hairpin turn signals the start of Sawmill Flat Road. Watch out for gravel near driveways as you head south toward the entrance of Columbia Community College, about a mile from the start of the path. For the next mile after that, you'll dip down and then climb a hill up to a more level stretch of road with few curves. Turn right when you reach Parrotts Ferry Road and follow it north to return to the town of Columbia, a mile and a half away.