The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

Agree that a propane fire pit throws a lot more flame than a stove and at some point one should stop using even it. That said a huge difference from a wood fire is no sparks or embers. Even a tiny wood fire surrounded by bare earth can get sparks and embers in the wind that ignite things far from the fire. The cute little wood stoves in that sense are worse than even a huge propane fire pit! Overall these days being very conservative with fire is wise…

But anyway, my opinion not all that relevant as I don’t think I’ve had any sort of fire in a camp in years. Love the stars and would prefer to stare at them . Plus I’m usually on east coast time and ready for bed at sunset anyway! I thought I’d have them occasionally for my daughter but she is not actually a fan of camp fires at all - has a healthy fear of flame. So after trying a propane pit for awhile, which I did prefer to wood in general, I eventually gave that away as it wasn’t being used.

In other 395 related fire news the Windy and KNP fires are suppose to get hit with some rain and snow soon - hurray!

 

3 Sierra passes to close Thursday ahead of winter storm

RENO, Nev. (AP) — California highway officials say they will close three mountain passes near the Nevada line between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park on Thursday as a precaution ahead of an early winter storm that’s expected to bring rain and snow to the Sierra.

 

The summer of closures brings you the winter of closure

 

I think the real cold weather is predicted for early next week … Tahoe lows in the teens and even Panamint Springs forecast in the 30’s. The big question is precipitation. We had a few drops here on the coast yesterday but it’s back to dry and sunny skies again today.

 

Time to go camping!

 

The snow hit around tahoe at elevation today. More is forecast for tomorrow above 8k ft.

 

Looks cold and gloomy (in a good way) in Bishop and Mammoth is getting snowed on.

 

Let's hope our winter weather isn't blowing its load early on, but off to a good start. I've ridden the mountain with less coverage.

 

Cross posting from @kherron in the following thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.407866/page-347#post-26352412

Just got back from 6 nights at various locations in the Eastern Sierra.

I didn’t manage to capture it but the aspens and colors are off the chain right now and we were there for first snow. The mountains were bare on our way down and dusted/capped on the way home. It was magical.



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We've got another larger storm system coming in tonight through Tues AM. Only calling for a couple inches in Mammoth but that should mean about 12" above 10000'.

I'm really hoping for a big snow year. Being local my favorite thing to do on the local trails is snow wheeling. It takes what are usually easy crowded trails and turns them into hard empty trails.

There wasn't a soul around for this run out Buttermilk Loop.




This as an impromptu snow run to go recover a Taco that got in a little over it's and the drivers ability.

 

Here’s a little something that’s deeper than most of what we discuss here (literally).

https://apple.news/AMlBhzOT4RNiOPx-2zk_sjQ

it’s fascinating to think about and it makes you wonder what the effect on global warming is.

Seeing the leaves change is amazing. One of my favorite spots is along the June lake loop.

 

That’s cool your local! I feel like Bishop/Mammoth lakes is our second home we have been going up there every year to camp for 12 years running even finished our honeymoon there. (Well mammoth lakes.) I second the hopeful for a heavy snow year..

 

Woah…. Crazy article..

 

High Winds are in the forecast

 

Even in the Bay Area the forecast is 15-30 mph with gusts to 60. I’m heading to Arizona on Thursday in our high roof van … hope it stays north, or settles down by then. But we need precipitation so if the winds are a side effect, no complaints.

 

Just came back from a few days DVNP and it was glorious. We did many firsts for us...Lippincott Rd (pucker factor high), Hunter Mtn (Trees in DV?), Hidden Valley (the 'talc' section was interesting), Butte Valley (beautiful), Steele Pass Rd (fun) and Eureka Dunes (mesmerizing). I have not rifled through all of our pics so here are few for now.



Striped Butte


Hunter Mtn


Dedeckera Cyn - Steele Pass Rd


Eureka Dunes


The drive over on 10/8 was hampered by the passes closing so it was a longer day than we had anticipated. The drive back on 10/11 to the Bay Area was adventurous for sure. The wind from Bishop up to June Lake was brutal to mpg. Had snow from about Toms Place to June Lake loop and 120 was open so returned via Yosemite.

 

Very nice post...please share here too:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/death-valley-off-road-adventures.60777/

 

Any body know if Bridgeport is accessible late November or is it typically snowed in? Wanted to head up to hit the roads and camp? Coming from Sacramento area…

 

Oh, for sure. I'm not sure you'll want to camp in the cold/snow but it's accessible.