The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I'll add my own take on keeping things "secret". While having the added bonus of keeping the use of the area down that's not my main reason for not posting about certain places.

The main reason I don't post trip reports or get Insta-cred from my adventures is simple. I look at things as exploration. I get joy from going crazy places either in my rig or on foot. I get even more joy when I do that in some place that isn't already documented to death. I don't report certain things so others, be it 1 month from now or ten years from now can have that same sense of adventure. Of discovery. Of enjoyment from doing something for yourself by yourself. Some people want a guide for everything and that's fine. Those exist and are super useful. Hell, I'd say that's the majority of people. Others just want to see what's on the other side of that ridge without knowing. I'm one of those and I keep quite so other like minded folks can have that same experience I did.

It's not just wheeling I apply this too. There's more then a few climbing first ascents in the Sierra I've done and never bothered to tell anyone about. Same reasons apply.

 

I haven't read this thread I just found it 12 hours ago. I'm not experienced, I have been south of San Felipe a few times as passenger/spectator in a baja mil convoy but I'm not close with those guys. I've been on dirt E of 395 maybe 40 miles total. I've gone on several group backpacking trips in the area.
I read on here and 4runners, only. I'm not looking to know about your spots. I'll address your post further later. I'm looking to join the 395 kidz to leverage the concept of safety in numbers. I would be interested in organizing and administering a lower intensity ground trip.

 

I have very softly asked my spouse for authorization to go out to owens valley this weekend. I have been there before. I would be transiting the 395 South. I would need to group up with someone. I am acquainted with a local tow biz

I won't have any more details until later.
Edit. Orange light on

 

Some nice color out there now!

 

Super jealous!

 

Worth the 12 hr round trip from the coast for sure! Always is.

 

Absolutely!

 

I'm liking that table. Wondering where you got it and if you'd recommend?

 

I got one at Home Depot.

 

I got this table at home depot years ago after camping with Crom and seeing how easy these are to use. I have 2 different types and this one does not fold but has telescoping legs which are easy to use with one hand. In the past. I had a camp table from REI. I highly recommend these tables. You don't need a fancy camp or overlanding table.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lifetim...Height-Folding-High-Top-Table-80387/205912079

And great camping hack is to use a bungee for a paper towel holder

 

Fall colors are amazing!

 

Heading up on Friday.
Anyone know if the 168 is accessible from Papoose Flat?

 

Last time we did Papoose we had a choice between two routes out to Death Valley Road. Hines route (west of Andrews mountain) and the Narrows (east, which we took). I think Hines is more popular and likely less overgrown. Nothing too bad about the Narrows route except pinstriping and the occasional false trail. Once you hit DVR, it looks like you can traverse north to 168 via Loretta Mine road, though I don't have experience with that one. We hightailed it to Copper Top for lunch and then went home that day. This was in 2019.

 

The 395 is like an old friend to me. Spent many different summers backpacking all through the Sierra, using the many towns along the 395 as starting points and resupply places for my trips. That Onion Valley trailhead was my portal 2 different years on major trips, as backcountry permits are much easier to get out of OV than so many of the other popular trailheads. The 395 from Lone Pine all up to Mammoth Lakes is a beautiful road trip in itself with epic views and dozens of places to adventure.

 

Thanks man!
That's the route I'm looking to do. I just didn't know if it survived the recent storms.
They should call it Coppertop trail ...

 

enjoying the views at Torrey Pines State Beach

 

Wrong thread?

 

Just head up mazuorka canyon to badger flat and then head over to papoose flat.