The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

...i guess the south is OK...but..I'll take the great state of California anyday

 

Manzanar Reward Road up to the Reward Mine has 3 water crossings. Nothing wild but a stock 4 Runner and a stock Pilot both turned around.

 

Did Reward Mine on Friday. Stayed at Gunga Din site.
Took Mazourka road to the peak on Saturday,
then continued to Papoose. The trail was a little more 4x-ie than I expected = fun.
Manzanar road water crossing didn't seem wise, so I didn't.
If my memory is right, 168 had one too.

I'm stoked I got up there and got to see some spots.
The wind evicted us Saturday night though.
My 30 year old Northface tent became a projectile while we were out. Time for a new one?

Thanks for all the input! You guys rock.
I need to go 2 weeks earlier next year...

 

Well technically Cali also has some part in South, so yea. I just meant like all the fun states, I just live in NJ . Very safe & good state but its small and crowded. Now especially its just nothing but pollution, just literally word CROWDED. At least in north & central.

My company has a new building in Texas, I am thinking maybe I should move there.

 

First time exploring Obsidian Dome. Really cool feature. The road to the trail head was pretty rutted out but very fun.


This pic I got my wife, my dog, and my truck..... also the name of my favorite country western song.

 

great first trip to the tablelands end of last week
overnight temps lower 30’s, but water bottles did not freeze…woke to bitter wind saturday am
lots to explore and only scratched the surface…will return








phillip keough was here…eastern sierra pioneer & early developer of keough hot springs

 

On a recent trip, night lows hit 21F according to the nearby weather station. I drained my water tank and flushed in some RV antifreeze, got all muddy in the process, but didn't want to bust the plumbing.

But, I forgot a metal water bottle filled to the brim in the cab overnight. Plus an unopened gallon of drinking water in the bed. To my surprise, neither were frozen at dawn the next morning. Not supercooled either, I got my hopes up, but no freezing when poured out.

I guess there's just enough thermal mass and/or insulation to keep them from freezing. Day temps were quite pleasant... except for a brief interval when the sun was obscured by the moon. Crazy how cold it felt during the eclipse.

 

Looks like a great trip...I think I know the camp spot you had near the petros. Great spot. Hope there wasn't too much traffic there.

 

only traffic was two ladies & their dog on foot

 

I camped just east of Tonopah on Sunday night and it was 24° F in the morning. But no wind!! Drove through Benton to Lee Vining and up over Tioga Pass. Normally I avoid Yosemite but traffic was light, the sun was bright and there was still some snow on the ground from below Ellery Lake on the east side down to Tuolumne Meadows on the west side. Fall colors are mostly gone but it’s still a great time of year to be out there.

 

Anyone have any idea what the ceiling clearance is for Reward Mine? I'm starting to plan another DV/395 trip with some friends from OOS and figured it may be a good chance to check it out, but I have a feeling that their trucks may be too tall to fit.

 

Doesn't matter, if some of the trucks fit, GO! The genetic misfits that are too tall can walk or hitch a ride. It's worth it for those that can fit. I think my roof is just over 6' and I had plenty of clearance once I took my antenna off.

 

I wouldn't want to head in with a lifted full-size truck. I'd guess there's was ~6" of clearance from my roof ... Tacoma on 33s. But I didn't check every low point, just stopped early on to make sure I wasn't cutting it too close. I'd recommend putting a couple off-road flags on the front bumper of a smaller truck to pilot it... reversing would be tedious but not impossible. Echoing @Y2kbaja, it is worth the trip, even if not everyone fits. All but the most grotesque misfits can probably still back in for a photo at the entrance -- that's already half the cool points right there.

 

I'm looking at heading out to owens or jawbone on nov 10 early, drive around, consider where to camp then camp, cruise home on the 11th. Casual daytrip mood, sorting out gear. Anyone want to join / check in? @Sage63

I don't think I'm going out to barstow because I don't know the area, but if someone wants to meet me friday morning and escort me to camp, I might be good for that.



@dman100 is there a story behind your profile pic?

 

Not a very exciting story. I live on the Coast so while I have driven a lot of snow in my life, it’s not a regular thing. About 5 years ago I drove over Carson Pass (Hwy 88) in winter and noticed the icicles when I stopped for gas in Gardnerville. I thought it looked cool so I snapped a pic of the front wheel well. See, that wasn’t an off-topic question, that photo was taken on 395. I suppose for people in Alberta or Michigan, their trucks look like this all winter long and they’d never think to take a photo.

 

Too soon after chemo session for me. Last weeks got pushed out a week due to low platelets

 

I thought they were decorative teeth, and that someone took the picture because the big incisor fang ripped the tire below the shoulder knob. I appreciate knowing, but I'm gonna keep my version for the campfire. Saw it on tacomaworld

 

I never even noticed the dark spot which I assume is a drop from the melting icicle. But I like your version better. After taking the picture, I plugged the gash with 5 bacon strips then drove to America’s Tire and got a new tire free using my road hazard warranty. But I waited for the icicles to finish melting so they wouldn’t blame me for the cut.

 

How is it that a place like AH gets blown out but the mine doesn't

is it the rocks? I haven't been to AH.

is it ladwp?

 

Hope treatments are going well for you @Sage63. Fuck cancer. I've gone 4 rounds with it since 2011.