On to the Schober Mine - or lack of. Once again it appeared that the audit had been blown shut and nothing but a few remnants remained.
Advocate II
It was now becoming later in the day and we needed to get into the general area in which we wanted to camp. The original plan was to camp at Funnel Lake but that went out the window when we saw vehicles parked within the trees while up on the narrow switchback road by Coyote Lake. A few other spots would make for great backups so no worries there. Once again, we had to backtrack as nearly all the trails dead end.
Back to the first split when first arriving at Coyote Flat, we turned right heading south on 32E303/7S10 then merged onto the 32E301.
I couldn't find much in regards to the Baker cabin while doing my research, only some vague history and a few shotty pictures. No ExploreDesert trip is complete without finding a usable cabin so it only made sense to go check it out.
Back to the first split when first arriving at Coyote Flat, we turned right heading south on 32E303/7S10 then merged onto the 32E301.
I couldn't find much in regards to the Baker cabin while doing my research, only some vague history and a few shotty pictures. No ExploreDesert trip is complete without finding a usable cabin so it only made sense to go check it out.
It was a really neat place and would be a awesome base-camp for a larger group or with kids but since it was just Dave and I we decided on something a bit more....primitive. We spotted a prime location at the 32E301/32E301A intersection that offered a great view and flat dirt parking area. After spending the last couple nights on rocks and uneven ground it was a much welcomed change.
Dave fired up the grill and cooked up some killer burgers and beans. After eating freeze-dried food which seemed like forever and being worn out from a long day it was the best meal I've ever had! Haha. We managed to stay awake in order to grab a few night shots before crashing out in our tents. Nothing like a solid nights sleep brought on by pure exhaustion.
Sunday. Time to get heading home. Enjoyed a warm breakfast and hot coffee while packing up for the last time. Always a bittersweet moment - excited for seeing loved ones, a shower and proper bed, but also bummed the journey has come to an end. Part of me wants to keep going. Part of me wants to be home and recharge. Knowing that there will always be another trip and new adventures makes accepting reality easier to swallow.
Until the next one...
Dave fired up the grill and cooked up some killer burgers and beans. After eating freeze-dried food which seemed like forever and being worn out from a long day it was the best meal I've ever had! Haha. We managed to stay awake in order to grab a few night shots before crashing out in our tents. Nothing like a solid nights sleep brought on by pure exhaustion.
Sunday. Time to get heading home. Enjoyed a warm breakfast and hot coffee while packing up for the last time. Always a bittersweet moment - excited for seeing loved ones, a shower and proper bed, but also bummed the journey has come to an end. Part of me wants to keep going. Part of me wants to be home and recharge. Knowing that there will always be another trip and new adventures makes accepting reality easier to swallow.
Until the next one...
Thanks!
Probably one of my favorite trips I've done.
Probably one of my favorite trips I've done.
Off-Road Ranger I
Off-Road Ranger I
Follow up question...When do you think are the optimal times to go to this area? Spring, Summer, Fall?
Thanks!
Thanks!
We just did the Bridgeport, Bodie, Aurora via Masonic last week .Hit snow blockage and impassable trail damage at times. Just had to find a different route. Pretty hard to do in some areas, not a lot of choices. Still had a blast. Also woke up to frost in tent and snowing in Mammoth on Sunday. It wasn't sticking.
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Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
We tried to get to Masonic from Bodie over Father's Day weekend but gave up after going through the 3rd snow drift and encountering 3 more in a row that I didn't want to chance. We you guys able to get through?
We left Bodie and went to Aurora Nv then boondocked over to the hiway due to multiple trail washouts. Got a flat, stick through side wall when turning around for missed turn. Camped out north of the lake in nice sandy area. Had a great time.
Sorry, didn't answer your question. No, we had to backtrack to Bridgeport and took the Bodie turnoff on 395. Then from there to Aurora via the Bodie Toll road.
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Contributor II
@ExploreDesert
My friends and I are planning a trip to some of these locations as well as the general area likely for late summer or early fall.
I'd be interested in the routes should you decide to make them available.
Do you know if Dave has build details posted for his 4runner? It looks the most stock of the 3 trucks in your group and I was wondering about the mods needed for a trip like this.
Boort
Thanks for the awesome write up and so many trail pics to boot!
My friends and I are planning a trip to some of these locations as well as the general area likely for late summer or early fall.
I'd be interested in the routes should you decide to make them available.
Do you know if Dave has build details posted for his 4runner? It looks the most stock of the 3 trucks in your group and I was wondering about the mods needed for a trip like this.
Boort
