Eastside of the Sierra Trip Plan - Hwy 395

[Teephud]

Anyone know this area well? I'm sure some of you do.. We have to go to Vegas for my son's basketball tournament, so I'm planning a big family overland trip for the way home. Only problem is that it will be the end of July, i.e. HOT! My son and I did a similar trip a couple years ago, and plan to repeat a couple places, but hoping to explore some new places as well. I've probably been a little aggressive in my destination tick list, and will need to trim this down, as we only have a week. If anyone who knows any of these places can tell me if they're good or not worth the time, I'd greatly appreciate it. I also understand there is a fire in the Lone Pine area, which I'm hoping will be out by the time we get there.

1) Cerro Gordo Ghost Town
2) Burgess Mine
3) Movie Flat Rd / Mobius Arch
4) Alhambra Mine / Betty Jumbo Mine
5) Mazourka Peak
6) Bristlecone Pine / Silver Canyon Rd / Wyman Creek Rd
7) Coyote Flats / Peterson Mill
8) Buttermilk Boulders
9) Sand Canyon
10) Laurel Lakes
11) Minaret Summit / Deadman Pass
12) Bodie Ghost Town
13) Leavitt Lake

Thanks!

 

[Superduty]

That's a pretty good list! There is so much to see off of 395.

Mammoth scenic loop
Inyo craters (hike)
June lake loop
Devil's postpile (hike)
Manzanar


Do you plan on dispersed camping each night?

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[Teephud]

Thanks for those tips! We do plan on dispersed camping. If you know of any great sites around those places, please let me know.

 

[v_man]

I've been to all those places over the years minus Leavitt Lake and Alhambra mine.

If you go to Cerro Gordo make sure to check out the salt tram which is near Burgess mine.

I'd skip Mazourka peak.

If you do Sand Canyon and your vehicle is capable, check out Wheeler Ridge trail which is just off Sand canyon trail.

I'd skip Bodie which could be crowded.

Laurel Lakes is the most scenic spot you've listed IMO.

Another trail option could be the trail that goes all around Mono lake. It's easy and guaranteed to be uncrowded. I've seen wild horses there.

You can also check out the hot springs near Mammoth but they're getting crowded. My favorite hot spring is Buckeye near bridgeport.

 

[Teephud]

My wife would freak if we saw wild horses! My son & I saw one up near the Bristlecones a couple years ago. I've heard they are also common along Wyman Creek.

How hard is Wheeler Ridge? I've got a 4Runner, and just got a 3" lift.

 

[v_man]

Wheeler ridge is called a difficult trail in guidebooks. I'd agree with that. With some armor and sliders and careful driving I'm sure you could make it.

 

[BCBrian]

Laurel Lakes last year late July. Snow blocked the road right at the summit about 1/4 mile from the lakes. Super fun trail that you can do easily.




Wheeler Ridge is a lot more challenging. I made it to the top in my X with less than 2"s of lift. There are 6 or 8 spots with boulders to navigate through. The view at the lookout is outstanding from over 12000 ft (last 2 pics).



Those 2 trails were my favorites in the area but there are a bunch of easier trails as well. Sand Canyon (to Wheeler Ridge anyway....) is a fun trail and continues about 2 miles further past WR.

 

[Teephud]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing. Can't believe there was still snow at the end of July. I'm sure it will be clear this year though...

 

[Saints&Sailors]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing. Can't believe there was still snow at the end of July. I'm sure it will be clear this year though...

I was just up at Laurel Lakes a couple weeks ago. You could see snow on the mountain tops but the trail was clear. No issue there. Laurel Lakes is a very rough trail though (not difficult, just bone-jarringly rough). It's not that far but it takes a while. It was pretty crowded up there when we went which detracted a bit from the beauty.

Deadman Pass was a nice scenic trail but you should definitely spend a day hiking the Devil's Postpile, Rainbow Falls, and Minaret Falls.

 

[Teephud]

Planning on hitting Laurel mid-week. Hoping it won't be busy... Thanks for the hike tips!

 

[Robert Jordan]

I love the Kennedy Meadows area off of 395 outside of Bishop. Also, Lone Pine has some amazing trout fishing throughout the small creek that runs through the camp ground.

 

[James Feldermann]

Make sure to go to Manzanar and Reward Mine.

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[Kent R]

Go to Bodie but don't stop head NE through Aurora Canyon to Aurora, great history there.

 

[ryan_a]

Hi,

I’ll be in the same area doing similar things. Since you are going to the Buttermilk’s, maybe you’re a climber? A cool spot to camp near Bishop is the Pleasant Valley Pit. It’s on BLM land and is only $5 per night. I was there Friday and it was only me and 3other people. (I left a few pieces of fresh wood in camp 66). A google search will show you how to get there.

Also, Las Palmas in Bishop has amazing Mexican food and the Galen Rowell Mountain Light Gallery nextdoor to it is worth a stop. So is Mountain Rambler Brewery right nextdoor.

I also second Devils Postpile. I went there Saturday and learned that one must park by the gondola and buy an $8 bus ticket and take the bus into the “valley” to see the post piles. Note: I found out that if you say you have some sort of boat or floating device they will let you in with your own car for the park fee but you have to drive down and share a one way road with the busses.

Enjoy!

-Ryan