Favorite Drive
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highdesertranger
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US 395 from Kramer Jct to Canada. highdesertranger
Darn, while I was sleeping, HDR beat me to it. Be aware however, that once you get north of Susanville CA on US 395, you are in very barren country with a long way between towns. Tough place to make a living. Just the sort of place you'd expect to find someone who calls himself High Desert Ranger, 
. OTOH, to the south side, you have 400 miles of Sierra Nevada.
There are also a number of other north-south old "US Highway" routes that are interesting. Many of these go through very barren land in Nevada and Idaho. Most of these go Canada to Mexico. You can go up one and come down another, big loop in the summer months with wintering in AZ.
- US 97 from Shasta to Canada.
- US 95 from Yuma to Boise to Coeur d'Alene.
- US 93 north of Twin Falls, to south is more barren.
- US 89 from Tucson north, Glen Canyon, Provo, Jackson.
- US 54/285 from Alamogordo to Denver, then US 85 to Canada.
You can tell I like maps.
. OTOH, to the south side, you have 400 miles of Sierra Nevada.There are also a number of other north-south old "US Highway" routes that are interesting. Many of these go through very barren land in Nevada and Idaho. Most of these go Canada to Mexico. You can go up one and come down another, big loop in the summer months with wintering in AZ.
- US 97 from Shasta to Canada.
- US 95 from Yuma to Boise to Coeur d'Alene.
- US 93 north of Twin Falls, to south is more barren.
- US 89 from Tucson north, Glen Canyon, Provo, Jackson.
- US 54/285 from Alamogordo to Denver, then US 85 to Canada.
You can tell I like maps.
Thanks! I Googled some images and it looks beautiful. And, at one point, I can skip over to 375 and look for UFO's. Priceless!
Any particular area along 395- an attraction you might remember well and worth stopping for?
Any particular area along 395- an attraction you might remember well and worth stopping for?
I would suggest starting with the area of US 395 between Lone Pine and Lee Vining. This is the "high" Sierra with many peaks over 14,000-feet, and it's only a day's drive from Quartzsite.LivGolden said:
The Owens Valley is only 4,000', but at various points along there, you can go to the high drainages at 8,000-9,000' and tent camp in the Nat'l Forest. Whitney Portal, Big Pine Creek, Lake Sabrina above Bishop, Mammoth Lakes (take the tram to the top of the mtn), and Yosemite/Tioga above Lee Vining.
BTW, this is the are where Blanch has been staying, ummm, living.
Most of the Owens valley is BLM land, and there are many BLM campgrounds there too. You can access Lone Pine via Pahrump and Death Valley. In Death Valley, the Furnace Creek CG is all reservation, but the two directly across the road are first-come: Texas Springs and Sunset. At the resort right there (not the big one on the hill), you can get pool and shower for $5.
Here's your view today from the top of the tram. Remarkably they installed the camera right where the flags block view of the famous Minarets. Duh.
https://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/summit-cam
https://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/summit-cam
Oops, forgot to mention, that area will start getting snowfall in the next month or so, and they will be closing down the high CGs and areas like Yosemite/Tioga sometime in October. Not accessible again until next June or July at the earliest.
QinReno said:
Thank Q!
Looks beautiful!
Each time I tried to see about campsite availability, no matter what dates or length of stay, it states 'no results'. I guess I'll call. Looks like a great place to pitch a tent for a few days.
Back in July, I was down there from Lone Pine to Mammoth in all 4 of those drainages that I mentioned. Every one of the CGs has both reserved and a few first-come spots. Should be easier finding space after Labor Day, ie, now, since the kids are back in school. All of the BLM CGs at lower elevations were basically vacant.
If coming from the South, I would suggest Diaz Lake CG 3 miles south of Lone Pine to get oriented to the area. The little towns, Lone Pine, Bishop and Mammoth are quite fun. Mammoth itself has 6 or 8 campgrounds right in town. Shady Rest CG was basically empty, and mostly first-come.
If coming from the South, I would suggest Diaz Lake CG 3 miles south of Lone Pine to get oriented to the area. The little towns, Lone Pine, Bishop and Mammoth are quite fun. Mammoth itself has 6 or 8 campgrounds right in town. Shady Rest CG was basically empty, and mostly first-come.
speedhighway46
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My favorite drive is US-31 north from Grand Haven to “The Bridge” along the west coast . . . of Michigan. Right along the shore of Lake Michigan part of the way; awesome views and during the fall, spectacular wooded views of the changing woodlands.
bonvanroulez
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QinReno said:
Actually most of the Owens Valley is property of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power (LADWP), with a strict no camping rule. BLM is more into the foothills, but areas of that BLM land is interspersed with LADWP. North of the Valley, up the hill, LADWP covers more areas including Crowley Lake, north end of June Lake Loop, and even Mono Lake.
The picture is a typical sign seen on LADWP land, this photo was taken near the Owens River north of Bishop.
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HalfShadows
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I haven't driven long distance in years, cannot wait. Until recently, I have crossed this country by helicopter too many times to count. The beauty of this country is unbelievable from low altitude. Nothing like landing on top of a mountain that hikers don't dare to go, just to take a much needed whiz and take in the majesty from all around.
That sounds about right. My Benchmark Maps California shows there are no CGs east of US395 in the Owens Valley, nor south of Lone Pine, but there are 8 or 10 BLM CGs to the west of 395 between Lone Pine and Bishop. Tuttle Crk CG shown in the video is the farthest one south and right at Lone Pine.bonvanroulez said:
Also, there are around 30 or so Natl Forest CGs in the 6 or 8 drainages going into the eastern Sierra all the way to Yosemite. I cannot say much about what's "free", but Bob Wells did stay around the Alabama Hills in the spring.
I figured you would like the panning video. Good photography, gives you a really good appreciation for the high and the low in the area.LivGolden said:The UP is a favorite of mine.
Q- I could go there. It looks beautiful. Thanks forgives you a really good appreciation for hte area. the link. I watched a couple of their videos - nicely done.
HalfShadows
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QinReno said:
I don't understand what you are referring to Q. :huh:
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