The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

Happy Bday! How long are you in DV? I'll be heading down for a few days later this week. Likely heading down 95 to make time and entering the park from the northeast. Planning Titus and Ubehebe Thursday and then the Keane area Friday.

I have a birthday beer for ya if we cross paths.

 

Return to OVRA...
These pics are from a trip I did in July 2019 inspired by the previous conversation...enjoy.

 

Currently enjoying some Black Sheep Ethiopian right now. I have a coworker who goes bouldering a lot and I asked him to pick some up for me. It is definitely good. Very different than what I'm used to. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

Many of your know about the Bristlecone Pines, but for those of you who don't, a fun watch. The trees are found at high elevations (~11,000') in the White Mountains, a range which parallels the Sierras to the east.

 

And for those who don't know about the Bristlecone Pine Forest, do some research. There are Rules, Regulations, and Restrictions inside this wilderness area.
No parking between 10pm and 6am
No camping.
No campfires
The forest is protected and no collecting allowed.
I realize the video shows researchers doing research under permit, I just wish the video would state that restrictions exist and visitors are expected to follow the rules.

 

Final two parts of our trip to DV and heading home through OV. Been out on another trip, which kept me from posting these sooner. Tough life, ehh?

Low on Water, We Split Up in the Desert - Owlsheads #3

Owens Valley Before Lunch - Owlsheads #4

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Shaping up to be a real doozy.

 

looks like I'll be heading up to Mammoth early saturday (like leaving pasadena at 3 am, early) morning, skiing saturday and sunday morning, then heading back down early in the afternoon, to get my first ski turns in of the season!

 

Take a few extra for me! Don't know if I'll get up there this season with almost 1 year and 4 year old boys. The pricing lately has made it seem like the IKON pass is the only way to go, but I won't be able to get up there enough to make it worth the money. Tickets at the window are over $200!

I did score a 4-pack of Baldy tickets for $100 at Ski-Dazzle though. When a storm hits, there's no finer riding in southern California.

 

Will do! Anyone else want me to take some turns for them?! I have plenty I can give!

Yea, the big pass mountains are intentionally setting their prices high, so it only makes sense to buy a pass. Then you're locked into their ecosystem, and they can make more money through food/drinks/lodging/lessons/etc. That business model definitely has its pros and cons, I just hope they don't drive independent mountains out of business or force them into assimilating into the pass networks.

I'd love to ski Baldy one day, I've never gotten around to it, they just have enough snow that hangs around for me to get up there.

 

Headed out, till next time Bishop.

 

My daughter gave me these stickers for early Christmas (she lives out of town and came down last week for a few days as her work schedule allowed). Her friend from college is an artist and climber/guide in Bishop, and creates these cards and stickers. Her IG name is visible if anyone wants to support a local Eastern Sierra artist who donates half the proceeds to local causes.

 

Found this YT channel that has several videos about Owens Valley geology:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMNjgp97lQEooIJwLbggjg

 

Has anyone used Grandview Campground in winter? The FS website says it’s open, free, with no services. Is it plowed out and in fact how accessible is the road … I’m OK with packed snow but not interested in deep snow ‘wheeling. Elevation is 8600’ so I’d assume the snow sticks around, but I’ve never spent much time on the eastern side in winter. Thanks.

 

There are no services in summer other than the toilets.

I know the road is not maintained during winter so you could be stuck or encounter deep snow. One of the reasons I haven’t been in winter.

 

Grandview is right off the pavement so it actually might be plowed up to that point or further. It will be very cold though.

 

I've thought the road itself was not maintained-the paved part.

 

That’s correct, not maintained during winter at all.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20230

 

just go until you can't anymore, but while you can still turn around. the key with this is to not get stuck. good luck out there.