The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I also blame the IG'er Jillianrebecka or whatever her name is for blowing up Laurel Lakes, Alabama Hills and other areas that were very little known

 

Come on man, don’t bash on those innocent “influencers” just trying to make a living.

If it needs stating, that is sarcasm. Ugh what has happened to our society.

 

I believe the term is "whoring out nature" to get attention/money.
Tell everybody how to get there and trash it, then move on to your next project.
I think they should list their home address for attention.
Sorry, I'm grumpy today. And tomorrow.

 

I think there's plenty of "blame" to go around. Not the least of which include the popularity of places like Bishop or Mammoth. Even Lee Vining and the idea that another 120 room hotel could go in there or the popularity of a generation that grew up camping and is now climbing.

 

You could add the media companies, like Backbone Media who do a damn good job of marketing the outdoors. Or maybe even REI or TNF for selling you puffy jackets.

 

Let's not forget to blame Toyota, Subaru, Jeep, GM, Ford and other auto manufacturers who market SUVs and trucks that are the gateway vehicle to sprinters. Or Winnebago and Coleman for their role in the US camping culture. Or Northface and Patagonia. But most importantly, we should blame the former presidents who put protections in place so future generations could enjoy public lands.

Most of these areas along 395 that don't have some sort of gatekeeper obstacle on the trail are going to be busy simply due to the proximity to people and Coyote hasn't been any sort of a secret spot for a very long time now. If you want solitude without some sort of gatekeeper you need to look further away from a major highway.

 

Or, it needs to be on foot. More and more, I'm finding that hiking is where the real joy and solitude can be found. I enjoy the driving as well, since I can cover a lot of ground and "see" a lot of things, but there's nothing quite like hoofing it to something that others just aren't willing to put the effort into.

 

Yup. Far fewer people have the desire, time, and/or ability to explore via human power.

Between cancer treatments and kids I had gone nearly a decade since I was 5+ miles from a trailhead before my hike a few weeks back. It reminded me how much I enjoy soaking up the sensory bits you don't get with vehicle travel.

 

Not a fan of Funnel Lake. For me it isn't worth the effort to get there and there are much better places to go.

 

Not going to lie, that article is the one that popped up in my Google feed before we made it our destination that summer.

Help! I'm just like every other asshole with a cookie-cutter late model Toyota!



At least I have the decency to hate myself for it.

 

Well, when ICE cars are made illegal and EVs do not have the range to effectively off road, walking will be the only option

 

Drive by night to end of range, then unpack your massive solar array to charge by day while you sleep, repeat until reaching destination. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Ah wait, I'm getting off topic after we were all specifically instructed to keep this thread on topic.

 

I just tow a Quiet Power unit. Pull into camp, start that bitch up and let it run all night. No worries!

On a more serious note, friends are out doing the Dual Sport thing in DV. Having a great time and have managed to avoid most of the closures.

 

Dual Sport has always looked intriguing. I like the minimalist aspect of it and in theory you can potentially go more places. I am, however, an overly safety conscious kind of a person and motorcycles just don’t fit in my comfort envelope. That envelope is certainly not expanding as I get older.

Also, the places I tend to go a Dual Sport would only serve to get me the last mile or two of a spur road that I’m happy to walk instead. In DV all open roads are targeted for maintenance at least to the degree a tricked out Jeep could get up them. I can certainly imagine in other areas Dual Sport potentially opens long routes otherwise impassable which would make them more tempting to me.

 

It's a lot of fun but can be very frustrating. Especially when descending or ascending rocky terrain. I've ridden in places that are incredibly beautiful and would not be easily accessible with 4x4. The minimalist aspect is attractive--for the most part, you're wearing gear all day so don't need a lot of clothes. The guy who is in DV as done a version of the Pacific Crest Trail (all legal trails) on big bikes as well as a lot of riding in MX and Europe.

As far as risk adversity, absolutely understand that.

 

More in the Eastern Sierra. Couldn't beat the surroundings when we woke up, and boy, did we time it right (completely by accident) with the aspen!

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more pics
Coyote Flat via Bishop Route | Eastern Sierra #2





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I’m jealous of how much you travel.

But remember, that scenery is not original to you. Make sure to cite your sources

 

Gonna be a busy weekend on 395. The Bishop Craggin Classic is happening this weekend, today through the 13th.

 

My wife and I just got done with a bouldering session. Not another sole around for literally miles. The crowds will be in 5 places. Pine Creek, The Gorge, The Buttermilks, Sad Boulders and the Happy boulders. I won't be climbing at any of them this weekend. lol

 

West of Bishop, and a wee bit south... it was a long 19 miles, but one of my favorite hikes ever. Topped out just over 12K feet.

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