The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I was seeing this gal and we went to the Whoa. We get to the counter and she can't decide but finally says "I'll have a sandwich" and the owner goes "NO ONE COMES to the WHOA NELLI DELI FOR A Sandwich!"-people were turning to look. It was like she had just said "your food sucks" or something. He was really cool about it and said "order anything you like except the sandwich and I'll give you half off. If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back and make you a sandwich". I want to say she ordered one of their pretty amazing dinner plates. I'm a fan of their buffalo meatloaf. Anyway, mission complete, no returns!

 

Didn't they have a Michelin star at one point? Maybe 15-20 years ago?

 

I think it was listed in the guide but don't think it ever had a star.

 

Recently found this documentary about the valley and the aqueduct.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3xwN3nKDUg

 

Epic weekend, half over, we're stopped at Mammoth for food before heading back towards the DV side of the 395...




No fish were caught, but not for lack of trying!


That's just straight from the camera, no photoshop yet. Awesome skies up there!

The road was a real disaster. Perhaps the most challenging conditions we've ever driven to reach camp!



Perhaps appropriately the road had been closed when we got back down 2 days later. Apparently a bunch of trucks had gotten stuck, at least one overnight, near the bottom. We were the last ones out so we put the sign back up!

 

My guess is the road was closed for the holiday.
One less place to patrol or worry about.

 

That would make sense, but to be clear, the road to Laurel Lakes is severely washed out with 2-3 foot deep ruts that will devour tires and tip you on your side.

Just wanted to deter folks from trying that one until the road is repaired.



Last night


Now

 

Seeking some advice.

I'm heading to Mammoth in a few weeks, and I've never been to the area.
I'm looking for some scenic off-roading recommendations. Just looking for a day trip, and nothing too advanced thats going to damage my rig.

Thank you!

 

Daiwa Presso gang. I've always wanted to bring a raft but I know I'd be too lazy lol

 

All I can say is... I'M A BOAT CAPTAIN!

I've only been up to Laurel Lakes so far in the Mammoth area, and again, I would not recommend that road at this time. I bent my bumper, broke a taillight, and nearly rolled the truck. Was getting ready to winch myself out but a Jeep came along and tow-strapped me out instead. Thanks Jeep!

The bakery in Mammoth is highly recommended.

On the far side of Bishop, we had a great time exploring White Mountain and the Bristlecone Pine Forest via Silver Canyon Trail. Very tame road, won't damage your truck, buy you'll want 4lo because it's so steep.

 

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. (KOLO) - 4:28 P.M. UPDATE: U.S. 395 is closed from the California 182 in Mono County to the Nevada state line due to a rockslide in California. Nevada traffic is being detoured on Nevada 208.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Office reports the rockslide is at Chris Flat in Walker Canyon and was caused by the earthquake. The Mono county sheriff’s office said it has not received reports of damage.

ORIGINAL STORY: An earthquake with a magnitude 5.8 hit at 3:49 p.m. south of Topaz Lake near Walker, Calif., the Nevada Seismological Laboratory reported,

It was reported to be 6.1 miles deep. These measurements are initial and can change.

There were also six aftershocks in the area with magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 2.9.

 

I wonder if it was the east or west slop that slid. That's a tight section of canyon and if it was about a mile north of Chris Flat Campground there's a huge scree slope on the east side. Perfect angle for a slide. If that is what slid that means it was big enough to fill the river then continue across and cover 395. Can't wait to see photo's of this one.

 

https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-59-earthquake-california

 

It was most likely just some rocks that got knocked loose on the west slope. 395 has been opened back up.

https://twitter.com/Caltrans9?ref_s.../earthquakes-south-topaz-lake-largest-was-58/

 

It apparently was rocking pretty good here in Reno according to my kids. I work up in Sparks and didn't feel it.

 

I’m not as familiar with that section but aren’t there a bunch of campgrounds along that section? The FCFS kind.

 

There's two that I can think. Chris Flat and another one further north. It's a cool section of 395. There's some 4x4 roads up that way I still need to go check out. It's just so damn hard to leave the Bishop/Mammoth area with all the shit around here though. lol

 

KCRA has a short video showing slide. People were able to navigate around the boulders. Couple guys with bars could probably move most of them. Probably some loose stuff still on the hillside.

 

Cool to come across this thread. I've been going to the Eastern Sierras for over 50 years now and we're going again near the end of August. Always try and find a new place to visit each time but always go to the Alabama Hills, Bristlecone Pines and, of course, Bodie, among so many other. Here are a few images from various trips over the years. Some film. Some digital.

 

Another great view and not too hard of a 4WD trip (or mountain bike if you've got the balls) is to drive past Mammoth Ski Lodge and go up to Minaret Summit then take the 4WD road to the top of Deadman Summit, which if memory serves me, is about 10,300 ft, but don't hold me to that. Here's a multi-shot panorama I shot the last time I was up there. Every time I've been there it's been windy as hell but very well worth it. Crowley Lake off in the distance.