The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

The bad shift in NPS is the autonomous authority each park superintendent has

 

Oh yeah, done that... pucker...pucker...

 

A lot of things need to stop. Normal people getting fucking sideways and upside down every other day. Terrible for the business owners.in gateway towns.

 

Cool! I had no idea. Thanks.

 

Not sure what this has to do with requiring reservations to drive across the park. Are you saying that reservations for 120 East causes problems in places like Lee Vining?

 

I'll be in Sacramento tomorrow and have several days to get back to Los Angeles. I'm wanting to cross the Sierra to the 395. The 120 is still closed for the season. Looks like the 108 and 4 are still being cleared of snow. That leaves the 50 or the 88, which have construction but are open. Time isn't important, the scenery is. Any reason to take one over the other? Wouldn't mind stopping to camp either.

 

For scenery. 50 to Meyers to 88 to 89(Monitor Pass).

 

Obviously, 50 or 80 are faster but 50->88->89 is a pretty nice way to go.

 

I did 50/89/88 eastbound a couple of weeks ago, returned westbound a few days later via 88, Shake Ridge Road, 49, 16 back to 50. Both are crazy scenic. The latter is slower but a lot less traffic.

 

Have a nice drive.

 

This is another attempt to expand the drilling/mining project on Conglomerate Mesa, at the southern end of the Inyo, on the border with DVNP. Feedback link should you support this or not:

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022050/510 > click on "Participate Now"

Here's a trip report that shows what this area is like, today: Worth More Than Gold | Inyo West #1

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BLM seeks input on proposed mineral exploration in Inyo County

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on proposed exploratory drilling on approximately 13 acres of public lands within a 2,424-acre project area, south of Lone Pine in Inyo County. If approved, Mojave Precious Metals Inc. could search for mineral deposits, including gold, on public lands where they currently hold mining claims.

Mojave Precious Metals Inc. proposes to modify its existing, approved plan of operations to drill 120 exploratory bore holes at up to 30 locations. Proposed drilling would aim to gather data on known areas of minerals. The plan modification includes work such as access road reconstruction, drill pad and sump construction, and other related activities.

Project Description
Mojave Previous Metals (MPM) has submitted an amendment to their existing, approved Plan of Operations for mineral exploration which was approved in May 2018. The proposed Plan modification requests exploration access via overland travel which would disturb up to 15 acres at up to 30 locations with a total of 120 boreholes.

Prior to determining that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was necessary, the BLM had begun analysis of this project under an Environmental Assessment (EA). That draft EA remains accessible for historical purposes here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013863/510/

What's New
May 2, 2025: The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the draft Environmental Impact Statement on a proposed exploratory drilling on BLM-managed public lands south of Lone Pine, in Inyo County. The proposed project will allow Mojave Precious Metals Inc. to search for mineral deposits, including gold, on public lands where they currently hold mining claims.The comment period will end on June 16, 2025. The public may comment through any of the following methods:

• Preferred: BLM ePlanning NEPA Register -- scroll to the top of this webpage and click the green Participate Now link on the left to comment.
• Email comments to BLM_CA_RI_MojavePMetals@blm.gov
• Mail or hand deliver comments in an envelope labeled “Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling Project EIS” to BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S. Richmond Rd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555

The Bureau of Land Management will hold one in-person public meeting on the date, time, and location listed below. BLM staff will be available during the meeting to discuss the alternatives and analysis and answer any questions.

In-person: Tuesday, June 10, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Statham Town Hall, 138 N Jackson St., Lone Pine, CA 93545

 

@turbodb The timing of that post couldn't have been better. I just got back from a 14 mile hike that uses an old mining road for almost all of it. I was going to post a tram shot I took today for @ETAV8R I'll do the photo dump first and then give my thoughts on mining in Inyo County.












I left just enough of the background in some of those shots to probably give it away. If no one gets the area in the next few days I might just tell you where it is. I'm not to worried since it's guarded pretty well with a 550'/mile approach. lol

Now onto mining in Inyo and Mono counties.

It's got a long and storied history. Remnants can be found all over the place. A lot of roads the "overlanding" crowd is traveling in these counties only exist because of mining. So it seems like as long as that mining is in the past people think it's pretty cool. I don't know how many "mine hunters" visit the east side a year but it's a lot. That only happens because of mining in the past.

Where I see an issue is mining in the present and future. Part of me says do it. The precedents been set. Drill the bore holes and find out if it's feasible. If it is go for it. Anything that brings jobs to east side is a win.

Another part of me says hold on. Miners also have a long history of not reclaiming the land or flat out leaving cyanide strip ponds for the super fund sites to take care of. Go read the chapter on Montana in Jared Diamond's Collapse to see what I mean. Actually read the whole book. lol

If the site does get full green lit I want to see a HUGE reclamation bond and it better be from a surety that's been around a long time. So, yeah, I'm torn. lol

 

There is some precedence to support mining. Recall that they mined gold just behind Bodie for a short time. I want to say they quit because there wasn’t return enough to cover the costs. I’ll have to try and look that up.

Something that bothers me is a decision like national monument status can be made or undone and nothing much changes. But deciding to sell or mine public lands cannot easily be undone so some form of due process needs to be followed giving the people input. Especially to the local communities.

 

The Briggs Mine in Panamint Valley is the most well known mine in Inyo. It's a big open pit gold mine that's just NE of Manly Peak in the very southern part of the Panamints. It's profitable as long as gold is above $1800/oz. I know someone who used to work there and have been out there a few times. Google it and pull up terrain view. Your gonna go "HOLY SHIT" but you can't see it from anywhere. lol

 

Always wondered what that was.

 

I wouldn't say you can't see it from anywhere... it's pretty obvious as one drives down the (very nice until you pass the mine) road to Goler. That said, I've always wanted to go look at the Briggs. I mean, I don't love that it's there, since I feel like it's in my backyard , but places like the Colosseum Mine in Mojave are pretty cool spots to poke around and think about scale.

 

My point was it's like a not a giant radio antenna that you can see from anywhere in the valley. lol

 

I was somewhat open to the idea of mining until I saw your pictures and thought, "Oh, hell no!". That place is too amazing to be torn up by mining.

 

I am torn. I use electronics but don't want mining in nice places.