The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

Bodie State Park posted a road condition report the other day. The short version; The park is open but all the roads are closed by either snow or damage.

 

Is that coming into Bodie from the north via Fletcher and Aurora or north west via Masonic? It looks familiar. We went over Powell Pass (east of Fletcher, drops onto 359) a couple weeks ago. Our entry point was a side road and the pass we freshly graded. When we got to the highway on the other side we had to drive around the road closed signs (we were on the backside of them, never passed or would have passed a road closed sign).

 

What I saw on their website was specific to SR-270 and Cottonwood Road. I sent out an email to State Parks this morning suggesting they update the website to indicate that the road we took is impassible. That being said, we went up there not expecting to be able to make it all the way to the town, although we did expect to at least make it into California and the toll house, which was not at all the case.

Aurora. I wouldn't expect that road to be made passable for awhile.

 

It was on IG--maybe a week ago? https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs601e6vTVi/

 

I don't have IG, and was just looking at their website, which says that 270 and Cottonwood are closed, but is a little more vague regarding the other roads in saying that "travel on all roads to Bodie is not advised at this time." That reads to me as:



Regardless, it was a fun trip. Hopefully I'll make it up to Bodie and Mammoth later this year. The better half loves ghost towns, and I really want to take her to see Devil's Postpile.

 

The Devil's Postpile is amazing. If I may suggest, end of the season is best. You can drive down, visit at your leisure. Checkout Red's Meadow and the surrounding areas. Otherwise, could be a long bus ride.

 

Yeah, it's been a long time since I've been there. I want to say it was mid-October 2005. We'd planned on going last year, but those late-season storms came a bit too early, unfortunately.

 

There's a few ways to not have to take the bus. If you arrive before 7:15 AM you can drive right in. If you have handicapped plates you can drive right in anytime. If you have a float tube/kayak you can drive right in anytime.

If you need to borrow a float tube when you visit shoot me a PM. There's 2 sitting in my garage. lol

 

Do they still have the hot spring fed showers at Red's Meadow?

 

I don’t know. The past couple times, things have been closed up.

 

Does anyone know how busy Papoose Flat tends to be on holiday weekends?

 

Busy. It's big enough that you can usually find a place to camp though. If you want the prime camp sites better take an extra day or two off. lol

 

Anyone here a fan of Tom's Place? It's been a bit of a family tradition for us for a long time. I just saw today that it's officially for sale. Not a surprise as I'd been hearing rumors for years. With the expansion of Convict Lake Resort (on their original site and their purchase of McGee Creek Lodge) I can't help but think they would be potential buyers.

There are two separate listings without much info so not sure if that's just an error or if they're trying to sell the business and buildings separately or something like that.

 

Driving across this lakes outlet will not be happening anytime soon. Gate is open at least although I won't be surprised if it gets closed soon

 

I think I know this wonderful lake.

 

It hiding under a lot of ice and snow... A pair of ski poles in the middle next to the opening was spooky. Got to the peak but it was a loooong walk from the first water crossing

 

Just spent the weekend at Benton Crossing. Fished the Upper and Hot Creek. Most water I've ever seen on the upper with really tough fishing. Hot Creek was pretty tough too. Mosquitos were out of control.

 

Rock Lake

 

Camped out just below Mazourka tonight, looking down over Independence with Lone Pine off in the distance.

Thinking about trying my luck on Mt Patterson tomorrow... but pretty early in the season to be driving over 11k feet. Anyone know if it's still snowed in?