rpparkster
New member
I'm heading up to Mammoth next week for a few days and was looking to hit some trails since they're so close. Anyone have any experience in the Sierras for some easy/moderate trails?
Thx in advance.
Thx in advance.
Mammoth Trails
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OffRoadGuy
New member
Reconnoitering in the Eastern Sierra Nevada & Great Basin by 4WD - Website Menu This site should help you out. See if Laurel Lake trail is open.
rpparkster
New member
Thanks for the fast replies. I agree the SoCal group is on it and I appreciate the help. I was gonna post in NorCal but they all seemed Bay Area and the posts weren't as active as our area.
Hope to get out and wheel with you guys. It's been awhile since I've been out but I was much more active in TW with my truck.
If anyone has any other resources, it's much appreciated.
Hope to get out and wheel with you guys. It's been awhile since I've been out but I was much more active in TW with my truck.
If anyone has any other resources, it's much appreciated.
Oneluv13T4R
New member
Yeah there are a couple members here that know that area well Mikey,Mikestang,and Redswan but they are mostly active on Toyota120 and if you check their build threads they have a section on there trips and travels that they have done and that area multiple times...or just message them for a list of good trails they would reccomend for that area.
85straight
New member
There is a mind numbing amount of trails if all your looking for is a fire road. Anything more than that im not sure. Post up your findings for us
rpparkster
New member
I'll hit them up...thanks.
I think fire roads might be ok for this trip. Just looking to get a different view of the mountains/lakes/etc... Plus it'll be just me, the wife and baby so don't need to find "trail trouble" solo.
Drunner97
New member
Try TW's NorCal section? I'm over there just as much as I'm here. Both sites are great for intel and finding places to go.
Offcamber
New member
Based on the recommendations of this thread and a couple of others, we hit Laurel Lakes this past weekend. Frankly, it's undersold in some of the comments. We ended up camping in the valley for three nights. It was incredible. Great views, perfect campsite, and a fun trail (I ended up doing the trail 3 times over the weekend for various reasons). Thanks for these threads!
grave
Senior Member
bumping this old thread because i'm a good forum member. heading to tahoe in august with the fam and we're looking for some dispersed camping to break up the drive. somewhere between bishop and mammoth, something kinda mellow as we'll have our 7 month old with us and we don't want to stray too far from the 395.
anyone familiar with the antelope springs/old hwy area, east of mammoth at the 395/203? looks like a shitload of fire roads over there.
buttermilk country is an option too.
any intel you may have on decent spots with some views or something is much appresh'd!
edit: just found volcanic tableland... another BLM spot just north of bishop.
anyone familiar with the antelope springs/old hwy area, east of mammoth at the 395/203? looks like a shitload of fire roads over there.
buttermilk country is an option too.
any intel you may have on decent spots with some views or something is much appresh'd!
edit: just found volcanic tableland... another BLM spot just north of bishop.
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theesotericone
New member
Tablelands and the Milks will be way to hot at night in August. Your best bet is to get closer to Mammoth. You can go out Shady Rest Rd past the park. Once it turns to dirt drive 2 miles. Any point after that 2 miles dispersed camping is completely legal. There's a few good spots that overlook 395 if you hunt around.
Other options are to get off on Gorge Rd going east 10 miles north of Bishop. Follow that to 5S101. That will take you up to the Tom's Place eventually but the options for camping above 7000' are pretty good.
If you just want easy in easy out you could also hit up Pine Creek. It's 7.5 miles on pavement to get to a really nice campground that is on your left on the way in. That's at about 6500' but stays nice and cool once the sun goes down. The views aren't huge but it looks straight into Pine Creek Canyon.
grave
Senior Member
thanks!
shady rest rd looks like a residential street in the middle of town... is there another one i should be looking for?
and are you talking about owens gorge road? i see 5S101 on google maps on my computer but Gaia is showing it as 4S43.
just talked to the wife about it and she said we'll go as far as we can and stop when we have to, so i'm just trying to stock up on options. i found a spot off 3S59, hartley springs is another free option, and i'm going to hunt for some spots near mono lake. thanks for the recs. any others you may know of... send 'em my way!
theesotericone
New member
Shady Rest Park is off of Sawmill Cuttoff road. Sorry about that. Go past the forest service building and it's the next road on the right.
There's not a lot up in Lee Vining that I know of. Most of my time up there is spent at a few "secret" bivies but they are well up towards Tioga Pass. There used to be some pretty good bandit camping on your way up to Virginia Lakes. About 2 miles up the road there's a dirt road that heads towards the creek. I used to use it a lot but haven't been in years.
Most rangers on the east side are pretty mellow. As long as you park off the road and keep your stuff close to your rig they'll leave you alone. That basically means any dirt road you find that looks good will most likely have a good camping spot.
It all really depends on how far off the road you want to go. It's a big area and the views really don't suck anywhere.
tay4R
New member
Definitely stay out of the valley as it will be hot!
One area I've been meaning to check out is Laurel Lakes Rd. It's between Bishop and Mammoth and from what I've seen has some amazing views. It's a dirt road and I'm pretty sure you can disperse camp by finding a spot off the road (need a wilderness permit to hike overnight past the lake, but car camping is fine below the lake). Google Earth shows quite a few turnoffs that get down to the creek for some great camping.
Between Mammoth and June are Upper and Lower Deadman Creek campgrounds. They are free to use. Have toilets.
You could also go up to Mono Lake and drive some the dirt roads around the lake to find a cool spot. Dispersed camping is allowed above exposed lake bed as it is a State Scenic Reserve.
Let us know where you end up going!
Edit: Check this out! https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...0454bb66ac319!8m2!3d37.7118579!4d-118.9650464
One area I've been meaning to check out is Laurel Lakes Rd. It's between Bishop and Mammoth and from what I've seen has some amazing views. It's a dirt road and I'm pretty sure you can disperse camp by finding a spot off the road (need a wilderness permit to hike overnight past the lake, but car camping is fine below the lake). Google Earth shows quite a few turnoffs that get down to the creek for some great camping.
Between Mammoth and June are Upper and Lower Deadman Creek campgrounds. They are free to use. Have toilets.
You could also go up to Mono Lake and drive some the dirt roads around the lake to find a cool spot. Dispersed camping is allowed above exposed lake bed as it is a State Scenic Reserve.
Let us know where you end up going!
Edit: Check this out! https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...0454bb66ac319!8m2!3d37.7118579!4d-118.9650464
grave
Senior Member
mono lake is an option but would probably be too far. i think we'll end up somewhere between mammoth & june and the deadman campgrounds look perfect. 7800 feet, tables, fire rings, and no fees. perfect! thanks
edit: i'll add that TW spot to the map, too. thanks!
