The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I have basic recovery gear that I carry whenever I go offroad and this trip will be no different (even though it's more of a fishing trip than an offroading trip). For the most part I think I know enough now to not get myself into a bad situation without realizing it. My stepdad will also have his Jeep and although he doesn't have any gear he's got decades of off-road experience.

I'm pretty familiar with the main backroads between Owens River Rd (Alpers/Arcularius) and Hot Creek / Benton Springs Crossing. I assumed there wouldn't be much snow sticking down here though, maybe a few inches. Was hoping to get up a bit higher in elevation for some deeper snow and/or more interesting terrain. Deadman Summit may be a good area to poke around in, haven't spend time driving there.

The Scenic Loop was what came to mind first as well, wasn't sure how heavily it may be trafficked and I haven't really spent time on the offshoots from the loop. Maybe I'll take a look there too. Thanks!

I don't see myself doing a lot of winter driving or offroading, but we'll see. Mainly the chain question was about whether CHP still required us to carry them. I HATE chains (bad childhood memories of chaining up for our drives to Tahoe in my mom's fwd sedan) so for the most part plan to avoid instances where they would actually be needed. I went up to some local mountains early this year after some fresh snow (8-12") and had a blast. It was all fresh powder, no icy or otherwise slick conditions. That's the kinda stuff I'd like to be doing.

We went up Laurel lakes a little over a year ago but I've never tried any of the other offshoots - thanks for the tip, may check those out too. Definitely not going up Laurel Lakes though, lol. Not that we could anyway, I heard it's washed out - not sure how high up though.

Thanks for the recommendation on that! Originally I was thinking just buy the cheapest thing possible so I could placate CHP. But now you guys got me thinking about buying something nicer, haha!

 

State law - you must carry chains in the chain control areas. Had a friend get a sweet ticket from the CHP on that.
https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls

 

Thanks for confirming. I assumed it hadn't changed but wanted to be sure.

 

@clenkeit

Don't expect much snow from this storm unless temps plummet. Right now the bulk of the snow will be over 10000'. Not much accumulation expected in Mammoth or surrounding areas. It's going to be a big storm with lots of moisture but most of that will fall as rain.

Someone up thread mentioned Laurel Lakes Trail. It's a good suggestion but it is closed via a FS order from washouts that happened in July.
Coyote Flat gets up past 10000' so if you really want to go play in the snow that's a good choice.

 

Mammoth's latest IG post said that they're moving up their opening day, and that this storm has the "potential for feet of snow." Its probably over-hyping, but still.

 

Yeah, they open OCT 29th. This storm is going to be big at elevation so it should give them a nice base to start the season.

 

That's what I originally assumed, and of course gotta take all weather reports with a grain of salt, but what I've read said there could be significant accumulation. But, the elevation factor is exactly why I was looking for suggestions on where I could find more snow. We'll be staying in the lower elevations and I expect there to be a little snow there but wet and likely to melt very quickly.

I saw the Laurel Lakes closure when it happened - quite the washout!

 

im camped about 6500’amsl, just off 395. its a weather window tonight. drove in rain across central valley earlier today. very pleasant afternoon here, cloudy but expect a sunny sunrise friday. N to S then E, should be some excellent weather after sunday/monday.
oh shoot i forgot my chains.

 

Nice, I just woke up a bit east of Mt. Patterson, to much nicer looking skies that I went to bed under.

 

nice!

 

Woah that a sweet shot! I wish I could find that spot! Was it windy?

 

Not too bad at all last night. Wind picked up through the night, but never got above maybe 10 to 15 mph.

My goal for today was to get as far as I could up Mt. Patterson, assuming that I would hit snow around 8500 feet.

Turns out, it’s passable from the east as of today, but winds at the top are at least 50 if not 70 mph.

 

Did you come in from the 395 side?
That is epic I’m so jealous!!! Enjoy your trip!!

 

I can confirm, Laurel Lakes is washed out and closed off by the forest service until next season (and probably snowed in for the year anyway), and also, hwy 120 is gated off for the season a bit west of Benton Springs.

Anyway, the reason for the post... photos from last weekend!



So much beauty in the Owens Valley...



Didn't make it up to the aspens, but still got to see some nice fall tree colors.



Clearly there were no fish in this river, but I did catch a cattail or two.

 

Finally ate at this place!






Here we have a Tacoma in its natural habitat, lurking in wait for it's prey... (of, um, gasoline, I guess?)





I camped somewhere out in the tablelands.



Rolling out as the storm rolled in.



Basically the same photo twice, but I liked them both. Goodbye, Owens Valley!

 

NNW headed. breakfast stop.

 

Do you toast the muffins in the skillet?

 

I do. Thems the best!

 

I like to fry an egg with a piece of bread on it then flip it and toast the bread in the skillet. The egg becomes one with the bread and cleanup is super quick.

 

as much as I love to cook with cast iron, breakfast is one of those meals where a non-stick pan rules.