ExploreDesert: Alabama Hills - Laurel Lakes - Mono Lake - Bodie - Coyote Flats

Absolutely stunning. Thank you for this.

 

Honestly, it was my favorite part of the trip. Trails, scenery, remoteness, diversity. It had it all.

It was a awesome trip haha.

Oh rad! Gotta check it all out next time you're in the area.

 

Bravo! Bravo! Awesome write up! Shatt's bakery is so bomb!

 

You're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read!

Thank you.

Yes, yes it is.

 

DUDE! Looks like an epic trip... Very cool and thanks for all the details!

 

I was following yall's trip through Dave's facebook posts, Going to have to pay him a visit and go on a trip like this!

 

This next portion I'm going to call "The Adventure of Dave's 4Runner". Rain, lots of driving and letting Dave take the lead didn't allow for much diversity with the photography.


We backtracked down past Coyote Lake and rejoined the main trail. At the spit off we took 31E303 to the top of the ridge and above the remaining snow line.








The distant clouds had made their way on top of us and brought varying severity of rain along along with them. Couldn't have asked for better timing - the small shelf road we were just on would have been that much more intense if the rock was slippery from the wet.






Creeping up to the 11,000ft mark a small group of deer where roadside. They didn't seem frightened and stayed put as we slowly drove by. From this point forward we saw numerous groups running through the trees - but not a single coyote. Maybe they should rename the area... :elkgrin:






We continued south-west toward a overlook of South Lake when it started pouring rain and the temperature dropped to about 52*. I didn't want to take the time to get the camera in it's protective rain sleeve and now regret it. The overlook at the end of the trail was epic! We soaked in the view before becoming drenched and made our way to the Lindner Prospect. All that remains is the collapsing ore bin, remnants of track and audits that have either collapsed or been blown shut.




Next up was backtracking a bit and exploring the 8S109 and the Schober Mine.










Looking back to the ridge and where Coyote Lake is located down in the valley.







The 168 to Lake Sebrina is visible in the distance.




Winding down through the trees an old cabin at would have been the Mill site for the mining operations.








On to the Schober Mine - or lack of. Once again it appeared that the audit had been blown shut and nothing but a few remnants remained.

 

Thanks for the continued saga! The wide open space is fantastic to see.

Vicarious camping is a great way to start my day in the office.

 

Awesome!

 

It was now becoming later in the day and we needed to get into the general area in which we wanted to camp. The original plan was to camp at Funnel Lake but that went out the window when we saw vehicles parked within the trees while up on the narrow switchback road by Coyote Lake. A few other spots would make for great backups so no worries there. Once again, we had to backtrack as nearly all the trails dead end.











Back to the first split when first arriving at Coyote Flat, we turned right heading south on 32E303/7S10 then merged onto the 32E301.















I couldn't find much in regards to the Baker cabin while doing my research, only some vague history and a few shotty pictures. No ExploreDesert trip is complete without finding a usable cabin so it only made sense to go check it out.




















It was a really neat place and would be a awesome base-camp for a larger group or with kids but since it was just Dave and I we decided on something a bit more....primitive. We spotted a prime location at the 32E301/32E301A intersection that offered a great view and flat dirt parking area. After spending the last couple nights on rocks and uneven ground it was a much welcomed change.









Dave fired up the grill and cooked up some killer burgers and beans. After eating freeze-dried food which seemed like forever and being worn out from a long day it was the best meal I've ever had! Haha. We managed to stay awake in order to grab a few night shots before crashing out in our tents. Nothing like a solid nights sleep brought on by pure exhaustion.










Sunday. Time to get heading home. Enjoyed a warm breakfast and hot coffee while packing up for the last time. Always a bittersweet moment - excited for seeing loved ones, a shower and proper bed, but also bummed the journey has come to an end. Part of me wants to keep going. Part of me wants to be home and recharge. Knowing that there will always be another trip and new adventures makes accepting reality easier to swallow.

Until the next one...

 

Bravo!!

Thanks for sharing your adventure with such enthusiasm, detail and great photography. I have really enjoyed it and look forward to next time.

Thanks!

 

Appreciate the compliments and thanks for reading!

 

So awesome man. Where ya'll headed in the fall?

 

Upcoming trips (no particular order)

Arizona Strip
Eastern Mojave Preserve
Bradshaw Trail to Needles/Colorado River

 

Late to this party, as usual. Glad to see folks out enjoying this area. I'm usually anywhere from Bishop to Tahoe on any given weekend in the summer. If you, or any one, come back this way, I've got some camps mapped out that we routinely use. No FS places, just dispersed camping. It's off forest roads but no serious four wheeling.

Love your photos! We'll be making the long drive all the way around this winter. Can't wait!

 

Planning a trip in this area weekend of oct 1
How is the weather/trail condition around this time of year?

 

Should be fine. Rainy season gets started in Oct. there was snow outside n the northern end at Sonora Pass this week. (It melted already) but nights are very cool.

 

That's a trip I need to put on my bucket list!

 

Hey couple questions:

1. What is the fire pit thing you guys use? Being in CA as well, it sucks not having a fire with the restrictions

2. Where do you guys post your trips? My wife and I would love to join on one if you have room!

 

Hi!
As for Fire, I've learned to live without one. Regardless if you have a fire ring or not, restrictions take precedent.

I don't do group trips (usually). Where are you at and where do you want to go? There's a bunch of great info amongst everyone and can get you to some great places!