The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

This whole proposal looks reasonable to me. I do hope they don't do too much to the approach from Big Pine - the difficulty of that route is a big part of the fun. And, the Bishop approach is available for the 98%.

That Green Lake Overlook is a great place, but I totally get the desire (and the difficulty) of trying to limit access there since it's such a large open space, relatively rock-free, and so "idiots can drive anywhere." Bummer if they close it, but even if they do, I'd say it's worth the short (1.75mi) hike to the overlook. Perhaps with a ground tent and a sleeping bag.

A colorful sunset...


Followed by a dramatic sunrise...

 

And maintaining the overlook trail. There are also a number of "unauthorized" cherry stems that would be beneficial if maintained however, judging from the various maps, those will all be blocked off. Not seeing a need for "kiosks" and much other "signage".

When I read the sections about inventory of plants and all that, it shocks me because these are things that should exist and should be maintained. idk. Probably not the right person to be complaining cause these always seem like the first step of restriction. Kinda like demanding reservations to access public parks (which seemingly just make third parties wealthier) after telling everyone it was just to get through a heavy construction schedule.

 

I first visited Coyote Flats when the high elevation DOT runway was in operation in the early '80s. We exited the Flats down to Bishop Creek at Em's Pond. Now it's home to the overlandy content creators -- perhaps this is a good argument why the Forest Service should step in.

 

I need to go to this spot before it's unobtanium. Maybe this is where I should take my stepsons camping.

 

I'll be there in a week for my first time. Hopefully it's not an overused mess.

 

It's a nice spot, and plenty others up there to poke around too, with great views. If you go to this place, hike up the Hunchback from camp after breakfast. It's not hard, and the views are even better.

Judging by the time I just spent in the next mountain range east, it's still early enough that the crowds are not out. It was fantastic, but only a matter of time before it's packed, I'm sure. Heck, Coyote Flat is a wee bit higher, so it looked like there could still be plenty of snow that direction.

All alone, winding my way through piles of granite.
​

 

I may end up camping lower along the creek so I don't push the diesel heater at that elevation and going solo I'll be selective about which snow berms I try to bomb through.

 

We may cross paths at some point...

 

Grabbed some dinner since I knew I would be late into camp




My preference is to not find a spot in the dark but I'm hoping the view in the morning will be worth it


Last nights view was a winner

 

I have hiboost. Had weboost before. Still can’t figure out if it’s working correctly or not.

 

My push last night paid off...I may not be in the eastern Sierra but it is certainly in my gaze this morning.

 

Definitely not keeping it under wraps here. Very special place. I'd hate to see it closed due to tons of jackholes going there.

 

Headed out for the holiday weekend. Beautiful, as always.























Finally got around to visiting Columns of the Giants on 108 on the way home, too. It's no Devil's Postpile, but it's still worth checking out.





Note: Anyone who says "gas cans are just Instagram accessories" hasn't seen the gas prices in Bridgeport.

 

Really nice pics other than the abused vintage trailer.

 

Both of you guys got to some really nice places and have some stunning photos! Can't wait to get back myself. Hoping to summit White Mountain next month.

I especially like the composition in this shot @essjay :

Hopefully the more well-known areas nearby will continue to draw the bulk of the crowds, esp. when no names are used...

 

It took @SwagThor, @530Taco, @silvertep, and I about an hour to get him and wife and to the trail in the background. He was lucky to have gotten as far as he did, and not gotten stuck on the worse section of trail further back and out of sight.

Thank you! Spectacular views all around up on there.

That and stripping the metadata.

 

Glad you guys got up here and are keeping names and metadata off the thread. lol

@turbodb White Mt is a pretty easy walk-up if your reasonably fit. Do yourself a favor and acclimatize for at least 2 nights prior if you can.

 

When you upload something to TW, it removes metadata automatically when it down samples. Or at least, I think it does, I should probably (re)verify.

Yeah, looks like you just follow the road, and the issue is just that it's a bit long (~14-15 miles roundtrip). We're going to shoot for a mine (to the west) couple days prior (a harder hike, I think) and then putz around in the Bristlecones a bit before White Mountain, so we should be acclimated (enough). My hope is that snow levels will allow us to reach the summit.

 

+100. When I did it ages ago I was well acclimatized from multiple weekends of high altitude hiking, but my then girlfriend (now wife) was not despite a couple nights at altitude. Near the summit during one of many rest breaks she delivered a line we still use decades later in apropos situations: “Maybe in the future you should hike by yourself.”

 

Lol.

My version was more common when we were driving from WA->DV on a regular basis, but was along the same lines; just replace hike with go on trips. When actually hiking, the more common phrase for me is "You can keep going, I'll wait here." I tried that once, but now I know that it really means, "It's time to turn around."