Eastern Sierras or SW Utah

Temps are heating up. I was in Owens Valley this past Sunday/Monday/Tuesday and as usual at this time of year sought altitude to escape the triple digits in the valley. I didn't find it too busy but I also have lots of places to camp with no one around. Coming in the afternoon of Father's' Day/Solstice on the Sonora Pass had lots of traffic heading back west of the Sierra Nevada.

I've been to UT and it is amazing but temps there at this time must be getting warm too. Plus the distance from SoCal is pretty far. The Eastern Sierra region has so much to offer. Driving south from Bridgeport is spectacular...but that view after coming down from Mono Lake the mountains seem to get even better. Never gets old.

 

You got out before they started shaking up there! I'm going to have to explore the area some more, the boy and I will probably make a couple turn-around trips in early fall when it cools off. Some have offered up suggestions and areas to check out that look reasonable enough for solo weekend trips.

It was certainly warmer than I like on the eastern side of the state, but Saturday was the only day that we really felt uncomfortably warm. Funny thing is, it was only 80 according to the dash. I guess it's the way the sun just relentlessly beats down on you when the air is clean and there's no smog to filter some of that energy... Regarding the distance from SoCal I will say this - I'd rather drive 5 hours of open highway getting somewhere, than spend 2 hours in SoCal Friday evening traffic.

thx,
bfj

 

Agreed on the socal traffic. I commute 35 miles to and from work. When coming back from trips the bad drivers usually begin to show themselves in the Palmdale/Victorville areas. I love getting past that radius and setting the cruise control at 68. I've been back for a couple days and already want to get back out there despite the temps and bugs.

 

Yeah, we hit the knuckleheads entering Vegas from the north on 15 this trip, but VV/Adelanto is where they starting multiplying when on 395. One of the nice things about living in the SB mountains is the commute up - temp drops 15-25 degrees depending on the season, and it's almost always a joy other than Friday afternoon/evening.

I took a look through your thread, seems you're a regular in the DV area. You wouldn't happen to know the best times of year to visit Rainbow Canyon and catch an air show by chance? We got buzzed by what i believe was a T-33 (was driving and the mirror/camera were my worst blind spot in the truck, but it came left to right while we were northbound on Panamint Valley Rd., then shot south, about 500' off the deck), and we'd love to be up there while they're making the jedi Transition.

thx,
bfj

 

AFAIK right now flights are more limited at Rainbow Canyon due to the last accident there. I got buzzed by two F-18s right at Owens Lake this past Tuesday on my way home. I've probably seen more aircraft away from Rainbow Canyon than the times I've been there. A few times while airing back up at Saline Valley Road/190. Spend enough time out there and you'll see all kinds of stuff. Panamint Valley see's a lot of action too.

A T-33? That's an old trainer. My dad flew them while in pilot training in the USAF during the early 50s. The existing flying airframes are in the hands of private owners. That would be awesome to see out there.

 

Yeah, we caught a couple 15s out of Nellis tearing across the desert on our way up to Utah last week - still an amazing platform IMO. It's not just seeing the aircraft that's the goal, we can do that at any number of places. But seeing them below you in the canyon is a rare thing, and definitely something to see if you're into it. It's a shame about that SH pilot last year, I was just reading about the Navy's report on the incident last month. He was his squadron's TO, a TG grad, and had made the same flight the day prior.

Not 100% sure it was a T-33, might have been a P-80 or F-89, certainly private and not anything in current inventory. I only got a quick look at it, and almost drove off the road tracking it to our right. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for it, and it caught me off guard. He came across the road in a 90 degree bank, wings vertical, and I wasn't sure if he was having a good day or a bad day until he leveled off.

thx,
bfj