The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

It's getting rough out there. Thanks for the picture.

 

Actually, wasn't it over 8 a few weeks back?

 

Hot damn. It was $6.99/gallon in Bridgeport back in April.

Given the jump in prices since April, I believe it.

 

I was...then headed down to Bishop for some tasty treats and then headed north through the Tablelands and up near Lake Crowley. Spent an evening there then headed to the Buttermilks and had an amazing campsite for an evening...now back home wondering how I will get to sleep with the war zone going on.

 

Great to see you getting out there again. I miss the regular DV and Eastern Sierra trip reports from you and the other desert rats.

 

I was in Denio, NV two weeks ago and it was $7.05. Over $8 a few miles up the road at Fields Station. The milkshakes were cheaper than a gallon of gas … and almost as big.

 

Just saw an alert about fire in SW Bishop. Seems like it’s getting under control, fingers crossed.

 

A few from a recent trip...

 

July 4th at Manzanar on the way home. New buildings are open since my last visit.

 

I was through last year and they had a bunch of new buildings started. I'm glad to see that guests will have the opportunity to see for themselves how internees were treated.

 

Hey there my 395 people! I know this is a super longshot but I am going to be doing a camping trip with my father and wanted to make a YouTube video as always but I don’t have a drone and I was wondering if anybody has some drone footage of the 395 Bridgeport /Mono lake area that I could include in my video? Like I said I know it’s a longshot but I just want to make the video special since I haven’t had a solo camping trips with my dad in decades.
Thanks!

 

"Owens Lake for scale."

 

I finally had time this year to head out for a mini vacay out to the Eastern Sierras and 395.

I traveled to SoCal this past weekend for a few friends and family functions, and hit the road up the 14 and 395 on Sunday afternoon. I arrived at Tuttle campground in Lone Pine at 730pm, made dinner, and hit the sack. The campground cost $8 night with a self pay station. I did see Inyo SD and CHP patrolling the campground, but it was quite on Sunday. First time here and I would stay again for 1 night.

Monday morning broke camp at 8am. Stopped at the hardware store in Lone Pine to purchase a screen for the windoor. It was a warm night and I needed the windoor open. I purchased one of the magnet screens for doorways. I cut it in half and used the hook loop velcro it came with to attach to the carpet in the shell. It worked like a charm. Fueled up at Fort Independence Travel Plaza, $5.939/gallon. First stop was the red cone in between Independence and Big Pine. I also stopped by several campgrounds in the vicinity for future trips. Tinemaha Creek campground looked nice and the creek was flowing. I also found a gravestone nearby. Continued on towards Bishop with pit stops at Reagan's and Mahogany Meats. Then drove to Virginia Lakes Rd to tackle K-Ridge. Encountered a small patch of snow on the trail and the mosquitos were swarming the pond. Made it to K-Ridge after sunset. Drove to the landing strip near the confluence of Green Creek and Summers Creek for camp.

On Tuesday, I broke camp at 9am and Bodie was on the agenda today. I did the self tour and took a few pictures. After seeing all the buildings, I exited the town via Cottonwood and climbed a small hill that overlooked Bodie. Made my way to the day use area at the end of Lake Lundy to make lunch and chill. Filled up my growler at JLB and drove over to a hot creek spring. It was busy with folks, but enjoyable conversations with random strangers. Camped nearby at a seldom used trail.

Wednesday morning came quick and the realization that I had work the next day and I should probably get to a spot with reception to check emails. On the way out, I encountered several dead falls on the trail. I took the bypasses around them and hit a hill with heavy sand. I made an attempt, but a sandy hill is the achilles heal of the Truetrac. Turned around and tried exiting via 3S12, but the forest service had the road blocked while a landscaping company was taking down some trees. I had to back track again and exited via 3S59 on the west side of Gilbert Peak. Made my way to Lookout Mountain took a few pics and drove to Glass Creek campground to use the restroom and air up. This campground was packed with RV's and toy haulers. Fueled up the Mobil station in Lee Vining @7.14/gal. Drove back to the Bay Area via the Sonora Junction.

I want to go back. Work sucks after a few days off, but I need the dues to replenish the coffers.

 

You found them!

 

Also found the antennas with two solar arrays.

 

Highway 6 is really just an extension of 395, right? If so, Nevada!

 

Weekend trip… hot springs, mono lake, fat steaks…

 

from a few weeks back
creekside dispersed camp spot & a little fly fishing…nice break from dust & creosote bush
“off” & citronella candles made it tolerable