2nd official TW Mammoth Lakes Off Road Social Distancing Trip Sep 4th - 7th

Its a different world to say the least. Total FREEDOM , great like minded real people, real seasons so everything is always changing. And there is a true sense of community up here, I love my neighbors and we have each others backs. Back in CA I never talked to my neighbors I lives next to for 7 years lol Kids leave bikes out in the yard and shit doesnt get stolen. Criminal get stiff penalties so crime is very low and every is packing heat up here so criminals know not to fuck with Idahoans haha. Only thing I miss about Cali is the mexican food and the Sierra Nevadas.

 

Good to hear. Once my kid graduates HS I’m looking for somewhere like that to escape to.

 

And Saint Anthony sand dunes are in ID. Been there a few times, it's my Mecca (we can talk about my screen name sometime).

 

Sounds like we need to plan a TW trip there for 2021. Would be epic!

 

Its a definite maybe for me, gotta make sure I'm not on call that weekend. I want to go sooooo bad. That last trip was way better than SAN G

 

Add my name to the list. I’m IN

 

you can add GRUBBURG to the list! i'll probably cruise by with some beers and camp out one night on my way to hike/climb an eastern sierra peak that weekend!!! just did laurel lakes a few weeks ago! thanks for putting together!

 

Bringing my plus 1

 

@TacoSauceHB add me to the list please. Thanks!

 

@TacoSauceHB Count me in, I should be free! Found alot more fun trails since the last meet.

 

Awesome man! I know we will want to do Laurel Lakes 100% but if you know of some other easier trails with cool lake/river or scenic spots let figure out 2 more runs so everyone can pick a run thats best for them and their rig. And BTW... are the hot springs closed off for Covid? I would be surprised if they have not by now.

 

Probably won't be there this time, but have been there more than many times. The Eastern Sierras are amazing. The landscape is so vast it makes you realize just how small you really are. The people are super nice, just be (don't act) cool and clean up, they are are your side. Hunting, fishing, wheeling, biking, skiing, whatever. Enjoy it and take care of if.

There are trails all over the place and most everything is scenic. Lots of washboard on the big roads. Forest roads everywhere (not as scenic) and don't get lost. If you go off on side trails you will need to be a bit more careful and know your way out, the small forest roads can be confusing. We went to Bodie and tried to take a less travel road (Old Rail Road Grade near Kirkwood Spring) back to 167. No one had been down there in years and we were bush bashing. We wisely turned around.

I've up to Laurel Lakes years ago. Unless it changed, it's not that hard, maybe a 3 of 10? However, it's a long trail and takes a while probably 3 hrs+ round trip. When you are going up there I remember there is an Apsen grove down the hill to the right. It's great place for lunch. It's shady and the aspens make a soft fluttering sound in the breeze.
- I think this is it. https://goo.gl/maps/JB3i5o34QHMPH8NWA

The sketchiest part is the scree slopes. You're on a skinny trail with a bunch of loose rock that makes you feel like your truck will slide down the hill. Although it won't slide down unless you do something really dumb.

Not my pic - This is the dark area on the right is the scree slope. Go slow and pay attention, it's not very technical, just high and skinny.


San Joaquin ridge is awesome too. It takes you up to almost 11,000 feet and less than 2 hours round trip from DT Mammoth. There are some ruts you need to get through and I think one small hill climb. (not my pic)


It starts near the minarets parking lot and ends at the top of the ridge.

If you want to go north of Mammoth there is Bald Mountain too. Easy trail, 2wd except for maybe the last climb. It's mostly a gravel super highway.This is my pic. Was passing through on a road trip and took some excursions. They have a snow shack up there for warming in the winter. I didn't go up there though because I thought there might be zombies inside. This is my picture.

 

Like @itr1275 mentioned, Laurel is a great 4wd trail, 4 miles long of 4wd to the alpine lake, its super crowded now days so good idea to start at 7am to beat the traffic. Bald mountain is the perfect 2wd spot, about 11miles of graded dirt road to rally on, a bit of a hill climb at the end up super mellow and doesnt require 4wd, and a great view for lunch. San joaquin ridge is fun 4wd thats pretty mellow and only about 1-2 miles to the end of the road but amazing views of the minerets gains some elevation.

 

I may be down for this. Got to talk to my boss about taking some time off.

 

I’m coming.

 

Definitely coming. Oked it with work.

 

Jealous. We were going to go back to Mammoth Lakes this year, but opted out due to COVID.

 

Folks, I just got the green light today from work and from my Mrs!

I'm a go and I'm actually going to come back on the 8th, taking time to do a bit more exploring for some landscape photography heading back.

For us SoCal peeps, does anyone want to convoy up there on the 4th?