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

Is the LL still open in Lone Pine?

 

Oh yea. Just drove by it actually.

 

Haha, awesome. Someone told me it closed down and that made me sad.

 

Perfect shot for Taco Tuesday! Looks like a great trip.

 

Amazing trip! Love that area!

Thanks for sharing!

 

This is exactly what I wanna do, I need to find people who do this here. I would love to learn how to do photography too because that shot with the stars and your trucks is freakin amazing!

 

We got lost within Bodie - more time was spent among the relics then was originally intended. It's one of those places where the more you look the more you find. Every building and section of the town had something new and interesting that captivated us. What a time to be alive! Old mining equipment that's considered a thing of the past was once the latest and greatest. Empty streets were once bustling with people of all ages. The booming sound from the clouds would have instead originated from the giant mill rested against the mountainside. If time travel were possible, I'd absolutely love to come visit a town like this back at it's peak to talk, experience and live the life people once did.

Our extended stay meant we'd have to cut our trip through the Bodie Hills to Mosonic Mountain and the Chemung mine short, but I think it was a worthy trade-off. Even still, hopping onto pavement because it's "easier" is never an option for us, so a detour would still give us a taste of the remaining route. Couldn't have hit the trail at a better time! The rains left the dirt in the perfect state of being wet enough to keep down the dust, but dry enough to not make mud. Needless to say, we made really, really, REALLY good time to our turn off point - Aurora Canyon. :smiley_drive:

No time for fancy pictures as we were getting tired, hungry and racing the clock against the sun. Also, too much fun driving.








Quick stop at Bodie Masonic Rd and Aurora Canyon intersection. This is looking down towards Bridgeport.











Aurora Canyon Rd ends in-between the town and the reservoir of Bridgeport on highway 182 and only a couple miles from the 395. Our camping spot was to be in Copper Mountain northwest of Mono Lake. A series of trails leads up the ridge adjacent to Lundy Lake.











The time we finally found a suitable area we were beat. Usually on our trips there is at least one day that's mentally and physically draining and today was it - at least for me it was. First thing after a long hours behind the wheel is a cold beverage, followed by getting the Tepui set up. From there it's time to relax, eat dinner and become memorized by the mediocre view.

 

I love it!

Your last campsite would be a perfect place to be tonight for the Perseids meteor shower.

I don't know how much of a hassle it would be, but it would be cool to see an area map with your route highlighted.

Thanks for taking the time to post all this.

 

Thanks!

I might start incorporating a map that coincides with the different sections of the trip report in the future.

 

Great trip report, and as always, great photography.

 

I forgot to comment about your disabled motorist story. Isn't it weird the people you found out here?!? I've been spooked by certain situations when my gut says this isn't right... I know whatcha mean. lol

 

Great pics and report! I visited this area quite a bit as a kid, cool to see pics and stories of the area and reliving it again.

 

Saturday morning was a early start since we'd be making the haul back to Bishop for supplies in preparation for Coyote Flats. We made quick work of packing up camp and hitting the 395 south. Couldn't pass up Mahogany Meats along the way, although collectively we spend well over a couple hundred dollars on beef jerky. Worth it? Definitely.














Unfortunately, Ryan informed us that a family matter would put an end to continuing any further and would have to head home from this point. We were all pretty bummed, but at least it happened towards the end of the trip and many more adventures are to come. We said our good-byes and went our separate ways.

Dave and I took off, zig-zagging through the Bishop Reservation until we finally connected with Coyote Valley Rd and began the short lived slight incline to the foothills. From my research I knew that the ascent towards Coyote Flat was rather steep, but it wasn't until being there in person was it put into perspective on how quickly you get to the 9,500Ft level. Without a doubt - the vehicle and most importantly the cooling system need to be in top shape to make the climb. In testament to that, this climb made the mechanical fan on the Tacoma go to full lock a few times along the way - the first time I've ever heard it do so while driving.

It's not that it's extremely steep per-say, it's that it never ends...






(You can see the Volcanic Tablelands off in the distance)







Eventually the radical elevation gain begins to taper off as get into the upper valleys. Coyote Creek still had a fair amount of water running.








Coyote Valley Rd come's up to it's first split off at the 7S10 that heads south/south-east towards Baker Creek and Funnel Lake. It also continues straight via route 8S18. Since we were down to 2 vehicle and made some awesome time up the mountain we decided to go explore the area before finding a camp. That would also free up tomorrows scheduled and allow for a early departure back home.









We branched off the main route and turned south to check out Coyote "Lake". Ended up being dry so we continued to head north when the trail ended at a series of switch backs going up the mountain side. Not looking well traveled, off-camber, narrow and on loose shale rock we decided it would be in our best interest to go for it. Up we went.

Each one of those elements I'm not a big fan of. Add them together and it's a true butt-pucker experience. Add to the fact that we knew it ended and would have to turn around or back down. Fun.








As expected the trail became impassable and we were forced to head back down. Before doing so we hiked the rest of the way for a better view of the area.

Looking north - Coyote Lake down below and the 8S18 in the distance


Looking south-east toward Rocky Bottom and Funnel Lake.

 

The saga continues! Awesome. And an excellent distraction from my office work.

I love the vast landscapes.

 

Awesome update.

 

Can't begin to count all the random sightings and interactions I've had throughout all the years in the desert. The strangest was coming across a porno shoot in Johnson Valley - seriously.

 

^ What an appropriate location for the shoot!

 

Coyote Flats looks so nice! I did not make it up on my last trip and really wanted to spend some time up there.

 

That looked like an awesone trip.
Makes me want to do sonething similar.

 

Nice pics and report! I'm "Spvrtan" on reddit where I first saw you post some of these. I wish I could've joined you guys; looks like it was a blast. Was there just a few weeks ago with the girlfriend but we didn't spend too much time in the Sierras since our main target was staying up North in Lassen for a few days.