The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

Sure, I'll see if I can get an update posted when I get back. I'm planning to be up there 10/29-11/4 but would likely try to hit the trail Sun or Mon before the rest of our group comes up for the rest of the week.

 

We went up and back out on Sep 3rd, there was a ton of other people there so sadly we didn’t get to camp out down by the lake. My trans started to overheat when coming up the hill from the lake but that was my fault for not being in 4lo.

 

On location at Webber lake, near Truckee, for a Honda CR-V commercial.

 

Luckily, I think my overheating was due to a blockage on my radiator. I actually bought a radiator upgrade and when I went to install it I found the front of mine covered in dog hair. Cleared that blockage and I think I'm good now. I do need to spend some time with my Scangauge so I can see my trans temp. Been meaning to do that for over 2yrs

 

Tagline: "The new and improved 2023 Honda CR-V! Not just for soccer moms!"

 

I've followed the Bodie State Historic Park IG account for a while and have enjoyed the posts the tour the various buildings in the town. The interpreter, Hillary Collyer (sp?) often does a live broadcast featuring some interesting stuff, like walking through one of the buildings with commentary--for those who haven't been, the park maintains buildings in a state of arrested decay and does not allow visitors into the buildings other than the store making these a nice way to get a look at them.

 

Laurel Lakes washed out summer 2021. While the FS did place road closed signs at the start of the trail it was never officially closed via a FS order. After talking with the FS about that they informed me they didn't know the exact extent of the damage because none of there vehicles could make it past the first lower washed out section. I assured them I could and went up to check out the damage. I made it to the lake without issue and without needing the front locker.

I let them know the conditions and they kept those signs out for a month. It was the best month I've ever had at Laurel. Fishing was good and people where zero. I hope it washes out every year. lol

 

Y'all have me wishing I were back up at Laurel Lakes... reminiscing over some photos from last year's visit. Don't think I posted these ones yet.



A thunderstorm blew through one afternoon, dumped a bunch of light hail on us. We sheltered in the truck due to the lightning.

 

What road or highway is this

 

CA-136 just before the US-395 junction.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsXUdQMFeVsNpNsH6?g_st=ic

 

Thank you just wanted to make sure as I will be back in the area next week. Going to hit up several areas for the fall color change.

 

100%

 

Usually AH is our quick overnight place for everyone to gather and meet up for whatever we have planned further on up the 395. The location in itself is just perfect for that.

Our last night there, and I mean our LAST night there was a few weekends ago. Our choice spot was taking which is no big deal, I had others in mind...but, those were all occupied too. I got to AH around 2:30-ish, pretty early in the afternoon so I thought. I finally found a designated overnight site near the Cyclop Arch, anything past this spot was with in the newly designated day time use only areas as indicated by the posted signs. There was a convenient turn around area just past where the tall sign was posted. The traffic from people coming in and turning around because there weren't any more overnight sites available was absolutely ridiculous. I would estimate 40+ plus vehicles throughout the night. Some of those vechicle would literally drive through our little campground, it was wild.

Here's the crazy part that just killed it for us.. and this happened more than once.. A vehicle would pull up into our site and immediately attempt to setup. It was bizarre, as if their thinking was...if we hurry up and set up the tent they can't say anything. I have never experienced anything like that before anywhere.. I'm done with that place!

 

Yep, AH used to be a nice convenient place to overnight. No more… To be honest I’m amazed it lasted as long as it did being right next to the conveniences of Lone Pine.

My rule of thumb is once a place becomes crowded enough for dispersed camping to no longer be practical (i.e. too high impact from over use and so designated spots become a necessity) then I’m no longer interested in camping there. I don’t like people and I go camping to avoid them.

(There are a few places with only seasonal crowds and I’m happy to use a campground if I and maybe one other vehicle are the only ones there).

 

We had the exact same experience a few months back, never again.

 

Your AH experience reminds me of a November 2020 trip myself and some buddies did a 3 day DV trip. We made it a point to get to Geologist's cabin early to hopefully get it for the night and it worked out in our favor. But later in the evening when we were absolutely hammered some people showed up and decided the best place to camp was literally at our feet. We decided to just leave it alone considering our condition at that point of the night. But i can't tell you refreshing it was watching those campers go in and out of their shitting tents while we ate breakfast in the morning. I made it a point to dust them out on our way out to warm springs.

 

I forgot this thread existed! You guys got a nice little secret place hidden back there behind that big old mountain range! Man, I am just counting the days when we can move to the east side!.

This is from Labor Day weekend when I volunteered at Manzanar building some replica fences and a Gazebo the internees once had around the children’s orphanage.

I spent the first night at AH as it was late and I needed a place to crash. It was busy as all heck and hard to find a spot with just my DLR’s on (didn’t want to blast others with my lights). Finally on the second and third nights, I found a great place to camp and was all by myself for the rest of that weekend.

 

Came across a few Side by Sides at the top of the Pass last I came through the Valley.. probably originated from Ballarat.

The absolute best shitter in DV is right there at the Cabin..

Has the best view of the Butte..

 

2010's. The decade that killed the Alabama Hills. It's really a shame because it used to be a nice low-key spot.

Fuck you Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. But mostly, fuck inconsiderate assholes that abuse places and leave them in need of a babysitter.

 

That’s too bad they picked so close to you to camp. They were obviously new to it and felt safer being close to others, not even knowing they were too close. The cabin is a magnet to people out there though. When we are out camping in DV and other well known places like those, we try to stay away from places with names on a map. These days you can just about count on seeing other people there. One thing I’ve learned, trying not to piss others off, as one may meet up later needing their help. I made that mistake once yelling at a guy for passing me while riding my mtn bike on a very narrow curve on a forest road. Later on I had a second flat and was walking back- he passed me yelling, laughing and honking. I felt like a fool afterwards. Never again, especially when in the backcountry.