The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

When we were there two years ago it was hovering around 100F in the Owens Valley and I promised Gee we would try and take some new PR photos for her on the trip, so on our last day we drove up to Horseshoe Meadows where the temp was in the mid 70's and I scouted for a suitable location while she did her wardrobe and makeup to make the Gee as Frida Kahlo shot she's been after me for years to do. No lighting or even reflectors, just the sun bouncing off sand colored dirt and very careful placement between Gee and the background. This was the perfect challenge of WTF am I going to do with this location. And yes, she plays the fuck out of the accordion and you've probably heard her without knowing it.

 

There are many easy trails. Lobdell Lake road, upper Summers Meadow, Mineret Summit to Deadman Pass, Crowley Lake Columns. There are also dozens of dirt roads on mostly the eastern side of 395 between Mammoth and Lee Vining. In the evening, you might find a herd of deer and on occasion, wild horses.
If you go out near dark, it’s best to have a GPS. It gets very dark and there are soo many intersecting roads, you can get lost.
There is a lot to explore in the Eastern Sierra.
I happen to be in Mammoth right now. Explored some trails, hiked June today, hit 20 Lakes Basin, and Mammoth Pass Trail the last few days.
I’ve been coming here for over 50 years, hit me up if you have any questions.

 

Tweezers just sayin.....

 

You do know who Frida Kahlo was, right? Famous Mexican artist married to Diego Rivera, another famous Mexican artist. Frida was famous also for her unibrow. This is makeup to look like Frida.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo

 

Spectacular hike and scenery. My wife and I have done it a bunch of times, including in a snow storm on the Fourth of July weekend a few years ago. Highly recommended. Be sure to watch for what's left of the Conness Glacier.

 

Not quite the Owens Valley but looks like there’s another fire on 395. Farther north, near Beckworth.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rgj.com/amp/7918767002

 

A Google map of the Beckwourth Complex fires

 

Beckwourth Complex

Incident Summary:
The Dotta Fire started by lightning on June 30, 2021 in the area of Dotta Canyon on the Beckwourth Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest. On July 2, 2021 the Sugar Fire started by lightning west of Sugarloaf Peak on the Beckwourth Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest. Some air and ground resources from the Dotta Fire were diverted to this new fire start.


Current as of 7/9/2021, 8:20:32 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Saturday July 03rd, 2021 approx. 10:30 AM
Location 3 miles northeast of Beckwourth, CA
Total Personnel 977
Size 24,525 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 11%
Estimated Containment Date Friday July 30th, 2021 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved: Timber (litter and understory), brush (2 feet) and closed timber litter. Eastside Pine is the primary fuel type, with continuous white fir in the drainages. Montane chaparral.
Significant Events: Active with spotting, uphill runs, wind-driven runs and active spotting up to 1 mile.

Weather Concerns
Fire experienced significant fire growth (approx. 10,000 acres) during the day shift operational period. SW wind alignment (plume dominated) and receptive fuels were the contributing factors of fire spread and intensity. Fire behavior included wind driven runs, group torching and long-range spotting. The weather will become hotter and dryer with a forecasted heat wave this weekend. Fuel moistures remain critically low, and relative humidities as low as 10%.

 

..i would speculate that most younger people have no concept of cultural history prior to Instagram

 

My girl friend (pictured above as Frida) teaches university level music classes here in Los Angeles and she would tend to agree with you.

There was a pretty good 2002 movie called Frida about her life in starring Selma Hayak. Here's the link to the IMDB for that: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120679/

 

Love this hike. Quiet, fewer people, beautiful scenery. Talked to a family from Florida who were a little tripped out over the altitude, low humidity, solar radiation, and the drive up 120. This is the Sierra; we have mountains.

 

I came back last night from another awesome trip on the 395. First stop was Mahogany Flat for my last training hike for Whitney. Arrived at midnight on Monday and woke up at 515am for a 6am hike to Telescope Peak. Hiked Mt Whitney on Thursday, 10 hours up and 8 hours down. Drove to Badwater Basin on Friday to check off my bucket list item of reaching the highest point in the contiguous US and the lowest point in North America in back to back days. Drove to Monache Meadows and camped Friday night and explored the area on Saturday. I was hesitant to drop down the step hill at the beginning, but I figured there would plenty of rigs to help me if needed. I had no issues and the Truetrac LSD, it performed awesome. Money well spent. Refueled at Indian Wells Brewery on the way back home.

I've included pictures of my simple camp site up for others who are curious.

 

Good for you! Sounds like you had a whirlwind tour!
How was Telescope? I never got around to summiting that one.

 

It was warm. 72F at the start of the hike and 92F at the top. I think the valley floor was at 120F that day. The first 2 miles get the lungs working. The middle is cake and the switchbacks to the top made the lungs work again. Views are awesome, but there was a lot of haze in the distance obstructing the views. I want to do it again, but bag Bennett and Rogers too. The Flys were a nuisance at Mahogany Flat.

 

Last year around this time I was at Mahogany Flat and there were yellow jackets and lots of flys. I left after one night.

 

I hear having a uni brow keeps them away)

 

Great pictures man and it looks like you have a helluva setup. Love seeing the prerunners out having fun too

 

First time to the Sierras. Went for Father's day weekend with my dad, son, and brother. We fished Convict, Crowley, and Rock Creek. Stayed at French Camp. My favorite part was exploring the Crowley Columns. But my absolute favorite lake was Rock Creek. Beautiful up there and very quiet and peaceful. Will be back for sure with the whole family.

 

Live report from Coyote Flat. Shit happens. lol