MagicMtnDan
FRF Addict
I asked my friend Blair (some of you have met him - great guy to go offroading with - maybe sometime we can get him to join us on a Raptor Run) for some suggestions for summertime (hot weather) offroad trips here in the South West. Here's what he sent me:
As for where to go on a non-desert trip...well, this time of year altitude is your friend. Anything below 5,000' is just going to be too hot. For me, this means summer is Sierra time. Over here, on the west side, there are plenty of trees. Generally tight rough trails through the woods. But, the eastern sierra is more open, mellower.
Ever been to the White Mts? White Mt Rd starts off the top of Westgard Pass (7'000'), from Hwy 168 east of Big Pine, and goes north along the spine of the mts to a locked gate at about 11,500'. (The road continues on to a USC or UCLA high-altitude research station, but no go because they keep the gate locked).
Link to Westgard Pass:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....300207,-118.153987&spn=5.600629,9.832764&z=7
First part of the road paved, second part graded dirt. Really neat environment up there--high alpine, looks like the Andes. Ancient Bristlecone trees, if you're into that. Nearby routes include Wyman Canyon, which heads east off the mountains down to (very remote) Deep Springs Valley, and Silver Canyon, VERY steep graded dirt road going back west down to Laws (a few miles north of Bishop).
Link to Laws, CA:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....400833,-118.345556&spn=5.592827,9.832764&z=7
There are a couple campgrounds up on the mountain top, including Grandview (Google search that). This time of year is about the only time to go check this area out--even now, probably still some snow drifts. So you will see some other folks. But not very many. Its generally a little-visited place. If you feel like just checking it out, I'd go up to Westgard, take White Mt road north to the locked gate, then return via Silver Canyon to Bishop. Or camp up top, then down to Bishop the next day.
For a more wheeling-style trip, go all the way over Westgard, past Deep Springs, up Wyman Canyon, across the White Mt Rd, and back down Silver. Full day for that one.
PS: If anyone is into mt biking, OLD (abandoned) Silver Canyon Rd, which parallels present Silver Canyon Rd, is the most epic downhill ride in North America (IMO). But gotta have someone to drive the truck down, ha! If that sounds fun for any of your pals, let me know and I'll provide specifics.
Other ideas:
Glass Mts Traverse: this is a route that runs along the top of a lesser-known mt range on the east side of Crowley Lake. From Benton Crossing Rd turn left onto Watterson Troughs Rd (signed) and head N up and over the mts. Ends at a point on Hwy 120 east of Lee Vining. There are a couple loose sandy climbs on the way up, but I think this is Raptor doable. All day trail.
Laurel Lakes: immediately south of the town of Mammoth. Climbs up into Bloody Canyon, eventually ending at two little lakes at the bottom of the big couloir on the north face of Bloody Mountain. There are a couple tight switchbacks near the headwall of the canyon, and a few minor rocky sections at the beginning, but I think you can make it. Road is good, if a little exposed here and there. (I've done it in my stock Grand). 4.5 miles up. And its an out and back, so come back the same way you went in. Some neat campsites (unimproved) on the Creek in the flat part (lower down) of the Canyon. Could be done in 1/2 day, but if you take your time, check out the creek below the lakes and/or linger over the lakes, you could easily burn a day doing this.
Minaret Vista: a short out and back trail just past the main lodge at Mammoth Mt. Short trail, half day. Great views. And not far from the spot where Steve Fossett bought the farm.
Bald Mt Summit: graded dirt road. Fast, easy. Trail starts off 395 at Deadman Summit, between Mammoth and June Lake. Bald Mt road is signed. (At top of Deadman, look for sign on east side of 395). Old FS fire lookout at top, great views of Mono Lake to the north. Probably half day for this one. Could be combined with another Mammoth area outing for a full day.
So, whatya think? The Bishop area looks to be pretty centrally located between NoCal, SoCal and Vegas...
As for where to go on a non-desert trip...well, this time of year altitude is your friend. Anything below 5,000' is just going to be too hot. For me, this means summer is Sierra time. Over here, on the west side, there are plenty of trees. Generally tight rough trails through the woods. But, the eastern sierra is more open, mellower.
Ever been to the White Mts? White Mt Rd starts off the top of Westgard Pass (7'000'), from Hwy 168 east of Big Pine, and goes north along the spine of the mts to a locked gate at about 11,500'. (The road continues on to a USC or UCLA high-altitude research station, but no go because they keep the gate locked).
Link to Westgard Pass:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....300207,-118.153987&spn=5.600629,9.832764&z=7
First part of the road paved, second part graded dirt. Really neat environment up there--high alpine, looks like the Andes. Ancient Bristlecone trees, if you're into that. Nearby routes include Wyman Canyon, which heads east off the mountains down to (very remote) Deep Springs Valley, and Silver Canyon, VERY steep graded dirt road going back west down to Laws (a few miles north of Bishop).
Link to Laws, CA:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....400833,-118.345556&spn=5.592827,9.832764&z=7
There are a couple campgrounds up on the mountain top, including Grandview (Google search that). This time of year is about the only time to go check this area out--even now, probably still some snow drifts. So you will see some other folks. But not very many. Its generally a little-visited place. If you feel like just checking it out, I'd go up to Westgard, take White Mt road north to the locked gate, then return via Silver Canyon to Bishop. Or camp up top, then down to Bishop the next day.
For a more wheeling-style trip, go all the way over Westgard, past Deep Springs, up Wyman Canyon, across the White Mt Rd, and back down Silver. Full day for that one.
PS: If anyone is into mt biking, OLD (abandoned) Silver Canyon Rd, which parallels present Silver Canyon Rd, is the most epic downhill ride in North America (IMO). But gotta have someone to drive the truck down, ha! If that sounds fun for any of your pals, let me know and I'll provide specifics.
Other ideas:
Glass Mts Traverse: this is a route that runs along the top of a lesser-known mt range on the east side of Crowley Lake. From Benton Crossing Rd turn left onto Watterson Troughs Rd (signed) and head N up and over the mts. Ends at a point on Hwy 120 east of Lee Vining. There are a couple loose sandy climbs on the way up, but I think this is Raptor doable. All day trail.
Laurel Lakes: immediately south of the town of Mammoth. Climbs up into Bloody Canyon, eventually ending at two little lakes at the bottom of the big couloir on the north face of Bloody Mountain. There are a couple tight switchbacks near the headwall of the canyon, and a few minor rocky sections at the beginning, but I think you can make it. Road is good, if a little exposed here and there. (I've done it in my stock Grand). 4.5 miles up. And its an out and back, so come back the same way you went in. Some neat campsites (unimproved) on the Creek in the flat part (lower down) of the Canyon. Could be done in 1/2 day, but if you take your time, check out the creek below the lakes and/or linger over the lakes, you could easily burn a day doing this.
Minaret Vista: a short out and back trail just past the main lodge at Mammoth Mt. Short trail, half day. Great views. And not far from the spot where Steve Fossett bought the farm.
Bald Mt Summit: graded dirt road. Fast, easy. Trail starts off 395 at Deadman Summit, between Mammoth and June Lake. Bald Mt road is signed. (At top of Deadman, look for sign on east side of 395). Old FS fire lookout at top, great views of Mono Lake to the north. Probably half day for this one. Could be combined with another Mammoth area outing for a full day.
So, whatya think? The Bishop area looks to be pretty centrally located between NoCal, SoCal and Vegas...
Now that it's summer, it's time to explore other areas up in the higher elevations.
