Suggested sights on Route 395 in CA?

[VanForNow]

After leaving the informal Flagstaff RTR (& thanks Jim for putting it together), I am now in Barstow, getting ready to head north on California Highway 395.

Can anyone suggest sights to see and good sites to camp on 395? Thank you for any advice!

 

[Suanne]

I love the Alabama Hills just west of Lone Pine. Other worldly feeling with giagantic granite out croppings, framed by Mt. Whitney and the Sierra Nevada Escarpment in the background. Lots of movies have been shot there.

 

[TrainChaser]

Mono Lake, about 175 miles N of Barstow. If it's warm enough to swim, give it a try. It's got more salt in it than the ocean (something like 3 times the salt), so you can't sink. Too salty for fish. Use goggles to protect your eyes, or keep your head above water. It's good for washing in, but rinse with clear water or you'll be coated with white dust. Keep the water and the dust out of the van -- the salt is kind of corrosive. Here's more useful info: http://www.thesierraweb.com/monolake/swim.cfm

And go to Google Images and type in MONO LAKE for some nice photos of the natural spires.

 

[highdesertranger]

I assume you will be taking CA 58 to US 395 at Kramer Jct. then go north. boy I could write a book, I could keep you busy for the next 5 years just getting to Reno. you didn't mention what you want to do or see or how far off 395 you would be willing to travel. what are your interest? first off stop at Ransburg about 30 miles north of Kramer Jct. you will step back in time to a living ghost town. now I need some of your interests. sight seeing, wildlife watching, fishing, prospecting, old towns/ghost towns. highdesertranger

 

[TrainChaser]

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, about 23 miles NE of Big Pine, the oldest living trees in the world (also photogenic).  Head NE on CA 168 about 23 miles from Big Pine, then left onto White Mountain Rd for another 10 miles.   This road is a climb of about 6,000 to 9,800 and 11,000 feet.  Both roads are paved, fee at parking lot is $3 for one person, $6 max total.  Visitor center.  Day use only, no camping or overnight RV parking.

 

[VanForNow]

I assume you will be taking CA 58 to US 395 at Kramer Jct.  then go north.  boy I could write a book,  I could keep you busy for the next 5 years just getting to Reno.  you didn't mention what you want to do or see or how far off 395 you would be willing to travel.  what are your interest?  first off stop at Ransburg about 30 miles north of Kramer Jct.  you will step back in time to a living ghost town.  now I need some of your interests.  sight seeing,  wildlife watching,  fishing,  prospecting,  old towns/ghost towns.  highdesertranger

Thanks, HDR. My interests include history, wildlife and scenic drives. I prefer  campsites that are less than 90  in temp. I prefer to see sites that are less than 20 miles from 395, but I would make an exception for spectacular places. And yes I will arrive at 395 via the route you suggested.

 

[blars]

Laws Museum (railroad and misc) near bishop
BLM has a brochure on petroglyphs near bishop
Devil's postpile National Monument near Mamouth Mountain
Many hot springs
Carson City NV has several museums, free RV lot at the Nugget Casino downtown. Virginia City is a tourist trap with many tiny "museums", see if they still have free days.
As always, see freecampsites.net

 

[highdesertranger]

if you want less then 90 in temp you must get above the Owens Valley. there have been some great suggestions here already. Alabama Hills and Bristlecone Pine are 2 great ones and there is a campground at about 8000ft near Bristlecone. won't be hot there in fact you might have the other problem. also a lot of free dispersed camping in the area.

for an adventure you could try Cerro Gordo(road might be rough) for a little less of an adventure Darwin, Keeler, Swansea all near ghost towns.

the movie museum in Lone Pine and as has been mentioned the Laws railroad museum outside of Bishop. the Petroglyphs north of Bishop have also been mentioned. did you'll know that a couple of years ago some assholes with a diamond saw stole some of the petroglyphs. they have been recovered and I hope the a-holes got prison time.

the road from Benton Hot Springs back to 395 is spectacular plus lots of boondocking sites. north of Bishop at Rock Creek stop at Tom's Place. it is kinda of touristy nowadays. but back in the day it was really cool. north of there you will see Crowley Lake and Benton Crossing this is where the road form Benton Hot Springs hits 395. also on that road you can go north around Mono Craters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono–Inyo_Craters
and back to 395 or keep going north to the back side of Mono Lake.

on the west side of 395 Devils Post pile/Reds Meadow here you cross the divide from the Great Basin to the Sierra Nevada now all water flows to the Pacific Ocean
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Basin

don't miss Convict Lake. then Mono Lake then Conway Summit Virginia Lakes is real pretty but touristy now you are dropping down into Big Meadow or what it's called today Bridgeport Valley truly beautiful. don't forget a side trip to Bodie ghost town you will not be disappointed.

ok I got you to Bridgeport I am sure I missed some stuff and I left out everything that takes four wheel drive. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

I prefer  campsites that are less than 90  in temp.

Well, temperatures from Bishop (4,150' elevation) southward are going to be getting up into the hundreds by the end of next week. But the temperature will drop about 15 to 20 degrees by the time you climb up to Mammoth Lakes (7,100 feet). It's snowing there today.

 

[Blanch]

You may want to check out the Pinnacles near Trona.

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[Dennis]

Hdr...concerning wildlife, isn't there a large elk herd in that area?

 

[highdesertranger]

there are a few elk herds but this time of year they are probably down by the river. be very careful driving the river roads especially this year. the river is running high, the roads are unimproved watch for cut banks. in some areas the river undercuts the bank(outside bend of the river). stay well away from the river bank in these locations at least 15 feet from the bank. I would also like to point out down by the river is going to be hot, lots of bugs, and there is no camping, day use only. there are several access roads to the river that are improved or paved. there are also improved roads running north and south paralleling 395 lots of history on these back roads but you need to know where to look. I have a USGS map from 1915 for the valley it shows towns and schools that there is no trace of unless you stop and walk around. there is a Pup Fish spring and pond back along the Inyo/White Mountains. this species of Pup Fish are only found in the Great Basin and this is one of the 7 locations where they are found.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_pupfish

see you got me going again. highdesertranger

 

[Dennis]

Is the road to Bodie pretty rough or just unpaved? I'm in the area and wanted to take a run to it. Wash board roads in my short wheel base isn't a joy. lol. Going to run back up the road towards Bristlecone Pines this morning for some photos that I didn't get yesterday then thinking to Bodie.

 

[highdesertranger]

on the main road in to Bodie only the last couple of miles is unpaved. it is very bad washboard unless it was recently graded. the other 2 ways in are miles and miles off dirt road driving. highdesertranger

 

[Dennis]

Thanks hdr..
Some one I ran across said it was 13 miles of wash board. Hard to believe it would have many visitors if that was so.

 

[Blanch]

I was there last month. The main road in was not bad at all, must have been recently graded. If you are in that neighborhood the Travertine Hot Springs are worth a side trip as well.


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[highdesertranger]

I prefer the Buckeye Hot Springs myself. but if you hike to some of the outer pools Travertine isn't bad. highdesertranger

 

[Dennis]

Have to try those next time. ? I passed and am out of CA for now. They took all my money. lol. That is a beautiful area.

 

[Blanch]

Have to try those next time. ? I passed and am out of CA for now. They took all my money. lol. That is a beautiful area.

Highway 395 in California,
I spent three months there this year. It is my favorite place in the whole world. The eastern Sierras, deserts, Yosemite, ghost towns, Bishop, Mammoth, June Lake, Mohave, so many places to spend time at. I'll be back next year!


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[AsphaltGypsy]

Highway 395 in California,
I spent three months there this year. It is my favorite place in the whole world. The eastern Sierras, deserts, Yosemite, ghost towns, Bishop, Mammoth, June Lake, Mohave, so many places to spend time at. I'll be back next year!


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Had relatives that lived in Carson Valley/Jack's Valley and every chance I could get, I would throw the dog and the small child in my truck and head out from SoCal up 395! People would always say to me, "Why would anyone on earth wanna drive a 7-8 hr trip to Carson City when you could fly in much less time?" I would just look at them say "I know right?"...and then continue to drive. =) Wasn't worth explaining to them about all the mind boggling scenery, beautiful wildlife, and friendly people I encountered each time. When I finally take the "plunge" in my new mobile, that will be the first place I spend time. Thanks to everybody on this thread for a reminder of why I need to make a change. =)
AG