Fitness * Slalom * Artistic *

From Highway 99 in Manteca, take Highway 120 east to Oakdale, where the highway makes a 90-degree turn in the middle of town to join Highway 108. At the Yosemite Junction, the two roads split again. Continue going straight and 108 will become the Sonora Pass Highway. Proceed 32 miles beyond the Yosemite Junction to the town of Cold Springs. A mile beyond central Cold Springs, you'll see the Old Strawberry Road exit on the left. Turn here and drive the road's entire three miles. (You might want to take this opportunity to weigh the hills you pass against your abilities.) Park in the residential area beyond the bridge half a mile before the road rejoins Highway 108. Map: For a free map of Tuolumne County, call or stop by First American Title Company at 71 Shepherd Street, Sonora, CA 95370; (209) 532-3156.

If you happen to be 1) passing by on Highway 108 with your skate gear; 2) fit enough to climb relentless uphills; and 3) skilled enough to survive long curving downhills on variable pavement, you'll absolutely love Old Strawberry Road, a favorite route for local bicyclists. Located in the higher Sierra foothills, Strawberry is well-known as the site of an annual bluegrass festival. It's also situated just eight miles northwest of the Emigrant Wilderness and 10 miles northeast of the Yosemite National Park boundary. You know the elevation is high (just below 6,000 feet) when you see the stakes used to guide snowplows on either side of the road. These should also remind you to watch out for sand on the road's surface, left over from winter and spring ice-control efforts. Start out by crossing the bridge over the south fork of the Stanislaus River and rounding the curve to begin the long climb. Scan the pavement along the way for rough patches and slippery spring runoff--you'll need to plan ahead for your descent. Follow the narrow, winding road past the sparsely populated outskirts of Strawberry, through shady pine forests, and gradually up the hill. After a long climb, you'll reach the Sonora Pass Highway. Take a well-deserved breather before enjoying your thrilling descent down three miles of back-country roads.