tips, trails around Bishop (Eastern Sierras)

E

ericantonio

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I posted this on the NorCal group:

Hi guys, I'm from SoCal but heading up to Bishop in beginning of June. Wanting to get the "Guide to California Backroads" for some trail suggestions around this area.

I'm looking for EASY trails, nothing crazy. I'll be up there for a sports event and wanting to take an extra day to just explore around and take pictures of the scenery.

Any tips and trails would be greatly appreciated!!
 
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[MENTION=139952]ericantonio[/MENTION]

I spent 2 weeks camping in the area last fall, I recommend the following:
Just got back and was able to hit many locations you posted. I'd add the following sites my group enjoyed:

Owens River Valley - East of Bishop between Warm Springs Road and Poleta Road. There are a network of maintained and not-so maintained dirt roads with wild life, fishing, and scenic views of mountains on both sides of the valley. Careful some steep hills with deep soft sand, stay on the main roads if you lack the equipment to get out of sand.
North Lake - Small alpine lake with beautiful views of the mountains.
Casa Diablo Mountain - Lots of interesting FS roads between here and Benton Crossing Road (varying technicality, Watch for OHV's and Dirt bikes)
Hot Creek Geological Site - Hot Potting discouraged and no access after dark
Owens River - Just off of the Elbow in Benton crossing Road near the Campground is the entry to the Fishing area which is another network of not-so maintained dirt roads with wild life, fishing, and scenic views of mountains on both sides of the valley. Again be careful as there were some steep hills with deep soft sand, deep ruts, again pick the road that is right for your setup and skillset.

Some Suggestions for great food / service while in the area:
Keough Hot Springs - Great for a shower and soak, Ice cream cones were the best we had on our trip.
Jack's Restaurant - Home cooked meals, sandwiches, and Lemon Meringue pie that was fantastic.
Cardinal Village Resort - Best breakfasts near Bishop. Say Hi to Hannah and team at the cafe.
Paiute Palace Gas Station - Lowest price on gas between Big Pine and Lee Vining
Epic Cafe - Little cafe that is hard to get into. Best food and service I've received in a LONG time. The Pear and Cranberry Pie was fantastic! As was the Salted Carmel Brownie and everything else I ordered.
Latte Da Coffee Café (coffee house at el Mono Motel) - Try the Rojo Raven for Breakfast.


Boort
 
Thank you so much!!! This will definitely get me started. I'm excited. I think I'll install google earth to take a look at these places before June. Yah, I'm a novice so I don't want to get caught somewhere where I cannot get out. I did get an air compressor though I figure that's one of the best bang for the buck when it comes to doing trails.


Boort said:
[MENTION=139952]ericantonio[/MENTION]

I spent 2 weeks camping in the area last fall, I recommend the following:
Just got back and was able to hit many locations you posted. I'd add the following sites my group enjoyed:

Owens River Valley - East of Bishop between Warm Springs Road and Poleta Road. There are a network of maintained and not-so maintained dirt roads with wild life, fishing, and scenic views of mountains on both sides of the valley. Careful some steep hills with deep soft sand, stay on the main roads if you lack the equipment to get out of sand.
North Lake - Small alpine lake with beautiful views of the mountains.
Casa Diablo Mountain - Lots of interesting FS roads between here and Benton Crossing Road (varying technicality, Watch for OHV's and Dirt bikes)
Hot Creek Geological Site - Hot Potting discouraged and no access after dark
Owens River - Just off of the Elbow in Benton crossing Road near the Campground is the entry to the Fishing area which is another network of not-so maintained dirt roads with wild life, fishing, and scenic views of mountains on both sides of the valley. Again be careful as there were some steep hills with deep soft sand, deep ruts, again pick the road that is right for your setup and skillset.

Some Suggestions for great food / service while in the area:
Keough Hot Springs - Great for a shower and soak, Ice cream cones were the best we had on our trip.
Jack's Restaurant - Home cooked meals, sandwiches, and Lemon Meringue pie that was fantastic.
Cardinal Village Resort - Best breakfasts near Bishop. Say Hi to Hannah and team at the cafe.
Paiute Palace Gas Station - Lowest price on gas between Big Pine and Lee Vining
Epic Cafe - Little cafe that is hard to get into. Best food and service I've received in a LONG time. The Pear and Cranberry Pie was fantastic! As was the Salted Carmel Brownie and everything else I ordered.
Latte Da Coffee Café (coffee house at el Mono Motel) - Try the Rojo Raven for Breakfast.


Boort
Click to expand...
 
ericantonio said:
I posted this on the NorCal group:



Hi guys, I'm from SoCal but heading up to Bishop in beginning of June. Wanting to get the "Guide to California Backroads" for some trail suggestions around this area.



I'm looking for EASY trails, nothing crazy. I'll be up there for a sports event and wanting to take an extra day to just explore around and take pictures of the scenery.



Any tips and trails would be greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...



Let me come back to this thread, I’ll post some.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ericantonio said:
Haha, I don't know why but every time I hear it spoken people say "sierras". Maybe I'm not hearing a plural but a possesive.
Click to expand...
"The name Sierra is already a plural. To add an s is a linguistic, Californian, and mountaineering sin."

-Ansel Adams
 
ericantonio said:
Thank you so much!!! This will definitely get me started. I'm excited. I think I'll install google earth to take a look at these places before June. Yah, I'm a novice so I don't want to get caught somewhere where I cannot get out. I did get an air compressor though I figure that's one of the best bang for the buck when it comes to doing trails.
Click to expand...

You're welcome.
FYI I nearly got stuck right about here 37.349333, -118.335949. The 4Runner just about crested the hill when the sand got soft and deep, and the truck started digging in, I realized it and was able to gently drive out of it in 4 low with some help from the truck's traction tech. Decided to stay on the packed paths from there on out.

If you're out there anyways keep an eye out for any SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg. A truly awesome sight to behold! Right now looks like June's launch it planned to be from Fla. I was out there for the SAOCOM 1A Mission launch and landing. You CAN see it from the 395 between Bishop - Lee Vining.

Boort
 
jhmoore said:
Yep, and Moh-no Lake not Mahno Lake (Mono Lake) and Lake Sabr-eye-nah not Lake Sabreena (Sabrina)

:-)
Click to expand...

Man, you guys teaching me good stuff! I'm actually from NYC and we say "HOUSE TON" and not Hewsten for "Houston" street.

And way say Eight Street for 8th street. Not 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, but 6th, 7th, 8 9th. Weird huh.
 
jhmoore said:
We've been known to drive to Bishop from SoCal just to have breakfast at Cardinal Village Resort!!
Click to expand...

I've been to the Ranch House in Olancha and ate at the Mt. Whitney restaurant in Lone Pine. That's about the farthest I got on the 395.

I"ll have toc check out Cardinal Village when I get there.
 
If you want to see lots of pics of the mountains and trails near Bishop area join the public FB group "Eastern Sierra & Scenic Hwy 395"

:first:
 
When your in bishop be sure to stop at the visitors center. They have a bunch of maps and guides for backroad tours in inyo and mono counties.
 
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