I have rode up Bates Canyon 3 times, in 2014 -17 & 18. It is 7 miles from the Bates campground to the top where Bates canyon road meets Serra Madera road. It is a steep - rocky - jeep trail that has almost no level ground, and is all up. It is certainly rugged, but there is no beauty there or anywhere near there. There is no water. My last ride was in Feb. of 2018, and there was snow on the ground in shady places.
I Know I will do Bates again, but I can think of no good reason too..
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