Coyote Flat

[Offcamber]

That was us! We had quite the adventure ourselves. We made it up there Friday afternoon and immediately had the steering rack come apart so we just camped at the first spot we saw. Then had to head down the hill in the AM to fix it. Once fixed we headed back up and had some minor overheating issues and my 7 month pregnant wife didn't feel comfortable continuing after 2 issues already. So we headed back and thats when we saw you heading up. We ended up staying by South Lake in a regular campground. I definitely want to take another trip up there and really explore the whole area. I was really bummed about not getting to spend as much time up there as I wanted.

I'm glad you made it out of there okay and were still able to camp. I also want to go back and explore some more, especially after the snow melts. Several trails we wanted to explore were blocked by snow.

 

[AssBurns]

I'm glad you made it out of there okay and were still able to camp. I also want to go back and explore some more, especially after the snow melts. Several trails we wanted to explore were blocked by snow.

My wife and I were thinking about planning a trip back up there in mid September. If you are interested we can plan a small group trip to check out what we missed last trip.

 

[Offcamber]

My wife and I were thinking about planning a trip back up there in mid September. If you are interested we can plan a small group trip to check out what we missed last trip.

I'd be interested for sure. If my math is right, wouldn't that put your so-to-be newborn at about a month old?

 

[AssBurns]

[MENTION=140870]Offcamber[/MENTION] Sweet! I will talk to the wife to try to get some plans set.
Yup our boy will be about 1.5-2 months old depending when he is actually born. Due date is towards the end of July. We won't be bringing the boy along on this trip. Possibly our 2.5 year old daughter though.

 

[Offcamber]

[MENTION=140870]Offcamber[/MENTION] Sweet! I will talk to the wife to try to get some plans set.
Yup our boy will be about 1.5-2 months old depending when he is actually born. Due date is towards the end of July. We won't be bringing the boy along on this trip. Possibly our 2.5 year old daughter though.

Sounds good. I'll mention it to my wife and check the family calendar.

 

[theesotericone]

My wife and I were thinking about planning a trip back up there in mid September. If you are interested we can plan a small group trip to check out what we missed last trip.

I'd be interested for sure. If my math is right, wouldn't that put your so-to-be newborn at about a month old?

You guys will dig it. If you need a tour guide let me know.

 

[Offcamber]

You guys will dig it. If you need a tour guide let me know.

Tour guides are always welcome! I'd like to pick your brain sometime about some of the trails up near you. There some that looked intriguing, but weren't accessible this trip.

 

[Offcamber]

Here are few pictures from the weekend...

Camping the first night at Alabama Hills:

On Saturday morning, we drop up to Mazourka Peak and then to Papoose Flats for lunch. The view from Mazourka Peak looking west towards the Sierras:

We decided to make a long day of it and head up to Coyote Flats to camp Saturday night. The trail up the valley:

One of a few water crossings along the trail:

Looking across Coyote Flats:

We made it up to the south end of the Coyote Flats in time to help out a Tacoma owner:

We found one of the few sites that offered partial protection from the wind and that wasn't buried in snow. Our view on Sunday morning:

The wind really picked up on Sunday morning, so we drove over to another valley to do some exploring. We didn't make it as far as we hoped and we were turned around by a large snow field. The same thing happened when we tried to climb up to the ridge that runs along the east side of Coyote Flats. There are several more trials I need to explore, so hopefully we can get back up there soon.

By the time we returned to our campsite, the temperature had dropped and the wind was really gusty. The fun factor was dropping rapidly for my wife and kids, so we packed up and drove back to Alabama Hills for one more night.

 

[grave]

hell yeah! looks like a great trip and alabama flats is never a bad place to stay.

 

[BrianSD_42]

It's always worth coming up here. lol

Papoose Flats to Mazourka Peak then down Mazourka Canyon is prime right now. Did it last week. Zero snow. Plenty of places to camp if you want to spend the night up high, There's some spots right at Papoose that are tucked behind the rocks that overlook the valley. If you go bring plenty of water. There's very few water sources in that section of the Whites. The trails mainly good dirt with a few rocky exposed bedrock sections.

The upper end of the Buttermilks loop is another good easy trip. The roads still washed out about 1/2 mile past Horton Lakes Trail but you can come in from the upper end to access Birch Creek. There's a great camp site right on the creek about 1/2 mile before the parking for Humphrey's. Fish are there but small and the waters gonna be raging.

Silver Canyon SHOULD be open by now but the Forest Service has been dragging there feet opening the gate. The gates about 7 miles in on easy dirt. If it's open that's another great day trip.

Whatever you end up doing have fun.

[MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] you seem to know this area really well. How can a complete noob to the area like me figure out where to go (top 3-5 places) for an expedition weekend up here. I'll have GPS and map data but I really don't know the names of any good spots. I've wanted to go to Monache for awhile now and I found it on the map but I really know nothing. Help a brother out! :yo:

 

[theesotericone]

[MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] you seem to know this area really well. How can a complete noob to the area like me figure out where to go (top 3-5 places) for an expedition weekend up here. I'll have GPS and map data but I really don't know the names of any good spots. I've wanted to go to Monache for awhile now and I found it on the map but I really know nothing. Help a brother out! :yo:

I wouldn't say really well. I've only gotten back into wheeling in the last year. Since then though I've been trying to make up for lost time. I live here so it's easy to poke around. Monache and Armstrong Canyon are both on that poke around list, meaning let me know when your coming up if you want some company. Also here's a link to my most recent poking around.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2732775-post21661.html

When are you coming up? I ask because my number one place is Laurel Lakes Trail that's picked up south of Mammoth. It's an in and out trail but it's great. It will have snow blocking the upper part till August this year most likely though. Number two would be the Coyote Flat/Baker Creek area. The Inyo's would number three. Both two and three are huge areas that take days to fully explore.

I've also had this crazy idea to try and link an all dirt drive up the whole East Side starting in Olancha. I need to do the research but if I do it I'll make a post about it and see if there's any interest.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm not sure when I'll be up but it will likely be the end of July. I'd like to go somewehere with awesome views and immersive nature, somewhere we can chill and camp for two nights. I don't need agressive trails on the upcoming trip.

 

[theesotericone]

I'm not sure when I'll be up but it will likely be the end of July. I'd like to go somewehere with awesome views and immersive nature, somewhere we can chill and camp for two nights. I don't need agressive trails on the upcoming trip.

Coyote Flat area would be perfect for you then. It's a pretty mellow trail, great views, great fishing, great campsites.

 

[4rcybr]

I've also had this crazy idea to try and link an all dirt drive up the whole East Side starting in Olancha. I need to do the research but if I do it I'll make a post about it and see if there's any interest.

Hmm. Sounds interesting. Depending on when I could be down.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Is there a particular map or website that shows the best sites? I am going to have no idea once I'm up there where anything is. From what I've heard Monache is insanely remote.

 

[grave]

Coyote Flat area would be perfect for you then. It's a pretty mellow trail, great views, great fishing, great campsites.

just how "mellow" is that trail out to coyote flat? my wife wants to camp one night on our way to tahoe, but she's not big on off-roading. she prefers the real mellow shit, like graded fire roads, but can deal with some bumps and rocks for a couple miles. plus she'll be about 20 weeks pregnant by the time we roll through.

right now buttermilks is the plan, but i've always wanted to head to CF.

 

[AssBurns]

just how "mellow" is that trail out to coyote flat? my wife wants to camp one night on our way to tahoe, but she's not big on off-roading. she prefers the real mellow shit, like graded fire roads, but can deal with some bumps and rocks for a couple miles. plus she'll be about 20 weeks pregnant by the time we roll through.



right now buttermilks is the plan, but i've always wanted to head to CF.

It's definitely not a graded fire road but it's not anything difficult. Not smooth but not something that would require 4wd. Just a basic offroad trail. I went up a few weeks ago with my 7 month pregnant wife and it wasn't too much.

 

[theesotericone]

just how "mellow" is that trail out to coyote flat? my wife wants to camp one night on our way to tahoe, but she's not big on off-roading. she prefers the real mellow shit, like graded fire roads, but can deal with some bumps and rocks for a couple miles. plus she'll be about 20 weeks pregnant by the time we roll through.

right now buttermilks is the plan, but i've always wanted to head to CF.

Honestly, I think coming in from the lower end of Buttermilks loop is bumpier then the trail into Coyote. It's a safe bet. If she doesn't like it you can turn around after the first set of switchbacks.

It's definitely not a graded fire road but it's not anything difficult. Not smooth but not something that would require 4wd. Just a basic offroad trail. I went up a few weeks ago with my 7 month pregnant wife and it wasn't too much.

You went up the switchbacks in 2WD? Man your tranny must have not been happy. I put it in 4 LO and cruise up in 2nd. I've done it in 4Hi but have had my A/T Temp light come on towards the top.

 

[AssBurns]

You went up the switchbacks in 2WD? Man your tranny must have not been happy. I put it in 4 LO and cruise up in 2nd. I've done it in 4Hi but have had my A/T Temp light come on towards the top.

The first time I went up I was in 4lo. The second time I went up I was in 2wd so I could cruise up much faster than I did in 4lo. Then my A/T temp light turned on. I knew better but I got tired of driving slow. Gut instinct got overpowered by the urge to have fun and haul ass haha. Next time I will be in 4lo the whole way up the switchbacks.

 

[carlomagne]

Might be heading out to Coyote Flats or somewhere near for a quick Sunday to Monday overnighter.