Long range planing jun/july eastern seirras camping/fishing trip

[troyboy162]

Difficulty: 3.5 (http://www.nwtoys.com/reference/trail-rating)

When/Where: http://goo.gl/maps/Yazb8
funnel lake Map (http://goo.gl/maps/Yazb8)

CB channel:
14
FRMS/GRMS channel:
15 (bring two radios to share with a CB equipped rig)
2M HAM:
UY simplex primary 146.430MHZ
146.940- PL 103.5 Bishop repeter
70CM HAM:
444.600+ 100.0 Win system in bishop

Requirements:
-flashlights if you want to explore mines
-some form of communications other then cell phone
-working reliable truck this is not a recovery run
-food/water/ice chest if needed
-tools
-spare within 3" of your other tires
-31" tires

Range requirement:
Aprox 160 miles round trip from Bishop gas stations



day 1:
morning fishing at funnel lake/Rocky bottom lake while group collects. Barbless hooks only.
baker creek
glacier view
Camp at baker creek (primitive camping) should be able to find a fire ring


day 2:
Baker lake fishing (time dependent)
Schriber mine (high altitude trip)
mid afternoon departure back to Bishop.

Camp fire permit:
permit download (http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?10280-2013-National-forest-camp-fire-permit&highlight=camp+fire+permit)

All pictures stolen

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1005/1332725218_48a518b673_z.jpg?zz=1

http://www.panamintcharlie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10019/coyote03.jpg
http://www.mrjohnson.org/fwcphotos/61.JPG

[kafene]

I'll keep an eye on this. :)

[stormtaco]

where are you thinking like mono or more north?

[Seanz0rz]

I'm listening...

[troyboy162]

looking from mammoth down, but all the old mine roads are gated now.

may have to do a short hike (less then 1 mile) for the best fishing. There are some you can drive to but they look pretty popular on google.

[troyboy162]

the plan may change lol. the more I research the area the more roaming the dirt roads sounds like fun. There are alot of nice views and lots of dirt roads to take you to them. Coyote Flats seems like the largest trail complex in the area and looks amazingly beautiful. Might have to devote at least one day to wandering.

[Robinhood4x4]

I've always wanted to do that...explore all those dirt roads along 395 just to see where they go. Sounds like a cool trip, have fun.

[Good Times]

Subscribing. :)

[troyboy162]

yeah lance you should be good. I think its all fire roads up there.

[DHC6twinotter]

I'm interested.

[Jaydee914]

I'm in for sure!

[Seanz0rz]

Do we have a firm date for this Troy?

[Seanz0rz]

: poke :

I just need a couple week's notice so I can swap the trailer axle and load up the truck!

or, troy, if you don't have the time to plan, I will find something, just give me the dates!

[elripster]

Keeping an eye on this. Last summer we did a trip with the Hummer crowd up the east Sierra's out of Bishop one day and the Sierras west of Bishop through Rovana the next day. It was an outstanding trip. We reached something like 11,000' up.

To the west there is a spot that is way up high overlooking the valley and eastern Sierras that would make an outstanding camping spot.

This is the view from that camping spot looking east.
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/elripster/Wheeling%20the%20Sierras%20near%20Bishop/2012-07-28_13-38-49_562.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/elripster/media/Wheeling%20the%20Sierras%20near%20Bishop/2012-07-28_13-38-49_562.jpg.html)

Here is a 103 pics from the trip.
http://s442.photobucket.com/user/elripster/library/Wheeling%20the%20Sierras%20near%20Bishop?sort=3&page=2

Frank

[elripster]

This is a snow melt pond just before the overlook where the previous picture was taken. There are sand dunes up here which you can play in if you can coax enough HP out of your engine at this altitude.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/elripster/Wheeling%20the%20Sierras%20near%20Bishop/2012-07-28_13-17-53_586.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/elripster/media/Wheeling%20the%20Sierras%20near%20Bishop/2012-07-28_13-17-53_586.jpg.html)

Frank

[Jaydee914]

A coworker of mine just did the drive up to Baker Lake and Funnel lake last weekend, and said it was an amazing time. The camping and fishing were great, and the weather was perfect. I'm itching to get up there!

[paddlenbike]

There are sand dunes up here which you can play in if you can coax enough HP out of your engine at this altitude.



Sounds fun. I'm in depending on timing.
Frank, I haven't seen you in a while, although I seem to remember you moved out of CA?

[troyboy162]

: poke :

I just need a couple week's notice so I can swap the trailer axle and load up the truck!

or, troy, if you don't have the time to plan, I will find something, just give me the dates!

june 29th and 30th work for everyone? Sorry its a little soon. Ive been busy having fun, mostly, and had forgotten to start zeroing this one in. two weekends in july are already schedualed out for me.

[Seanz0rz]

I might be able to make that work!

[DHC6twinotter]

Those dates work for me. Is this a stockish run?

[troyboy162]

Those dates work for me. Is this a stockish run?
I have not been there myself but it looks like it will be. Also This place is too big to see in two days. I plan to take it easy with some runs fanning out from camping locations but not pounding the miles on. Fishing has a high prority but I have not looked at sesons and rules yet.

If anyone coming has some must see spots, please post them up. I think funnel lake, and climbing to some elevation are the only things on my list.

[DHC6twinotter]

OK.

Alabama Hills are kinda neat, and they are only a few miles off of 395 in Lone Pine. There's supposed to be an arch somewhere back in there too. I've been there already and I don't care whether or not we go, but others might be interested. It's a pretty neat area with movies and television programs being filmed in the area.

Otherwise, Funnel Lake and some elevation climbs sound fun.

[Seanz0rz]

papoose flats is on my list, but I believe it is on the other side of the valley. might be worth a day trip though, I will look into it.

Lexi and I will be camping next week with one of her girls and her boyfriend (the girl's boyfriend, not lexi's!), so it will be a quick 1 week turn around to get up there. Lexi is unsure if she is coming on this trip as well, so I might just be running solo again :(.

[Jaydee914]

I'm not sure I'd be able to make it that weekend, but I should know in a day or 2 at the most. Either way, Victoria won't be able to make it.

[troyboy162]

I'm not sure I'd be able to make it that weekend, but I should know in a day or 2 at the most. Either way, Victoria won't be able to make it.

What about july 13-14th? thats the weekend after the 4th

[Seanz0rz]

that would probably work out better for me, but I'm game for either

[Jaydee914]

I'd have a higher likelihood of making that weekend, but I'm not 100% there either. Honestly, no weekend for the next few weeks is good for me, but that would probably be the best.

[DHC6twinotter]

Either date works for me, although there is a chance I may not be around the later part of July. I'll probably be around then, but I'm working on some things that may have me out of the state for a few weeks, maybe even a couple months.

Don't plan around me. If I can make it, I will. If not, then I won't. :D

[troyboy162]

Shit balls the 13th is booked for me for a work team building excercize. Hows two weeks from now?

[Seanz0rz]

That would be the 29, 30? That's less favorable. Suppose to do a lot of work that week. How about later in July or early aug?

[Jaydee914]

Crap. I just convinced Victoria to come out on the weekend of the 13th. And that was really the only weekend that would work for me between now and early August. August is pretty open for me, although the 10th would be the least favorable for me.

[troyboy162]

August 3rd-4th? That team building crap really messed things up lol

[Jaydee914]

Blow it off. I've never gotten anything out of team building exercises! haha

I could probably do 3rd and 4th, but Victoria won't, which isn't the end of the world. I'd rather get up there than not.

[troyboy162]

Ok lol back to the 13th i have gotten the date for the team building crap changed. I can't skip it...I've been asked to bring people mine exploring lol

[Seanz0rz]

ok 13th it is! I'll go put it on my calender.

now WhereTF are we going?

[troyboy162]

I'll try to get something up tonight. I lost my google earth file of the area unfortunatly.

[Jaydee914]

So many routes up there! We have a ton of options...
If I can make it. I may have committed to a weekend on Catalina while this trip was happening on another weekend.

[troyboy162]

I looked up papoose flats and its very far away but looks like something to see someday.
So far I havnt found the trail map to the area but have found a few spots not far from each other.

[troyboy162]

Victoria must know that wheeling is more fun then some crappy island :P
Think you can make it?
I really cant wait to get up there. looks like exceptionally beautiful things to see in every direction up there. Did you guys know theres a friggen glacier? wth is that doing there?

[Jaydee914]

You've convinced her. We're in for that weekend!
Yup, there's snow up there year round I think. I don't know if we can actually get to it, but it's very visible from up there.

[troyboy162]

What time is everyone planning on going? Dan? Sean? JD?..I think thats everyone at this point

[Seanz0rz]

I invited a friend, if you don't mind. 50% he'll actually go.

I'm down for any time. the earlier friday the better.

[troyboy162]

no problem at all! I have to work friday but I had planed on getting up in there by night fall. You guys could actually head up super early and see some more of the area like papoose flats. There is a weeks worth of stuff to see lol.

I'll try to figure out some camp spots for friday night and stranglers saturday morning

[Seanz0rz]

is this an expedition style or a base camp style run?

[troyboy162]

Are you bringing the trailer and looking to lock it up somewhere? I hadnt thought of base camp style but the area could support that well.

[DHC6twinotter]

I'm not 100% sure I can make it, but if I go, I'll just follow Sean up.

[Seanz0rz]

The trailer is probably up for anything that area could offer us, and it would be fun to take it offroad. Whether I take it or not depends on if lexi comes with.

[Jaydee914]

It would be great if Lexi did come, as I'm sure Victoria would appreciate the testosterone being diluted a bit :)
I'm considering taking off Thursday night and finding a hotel on the way, if we can't get out of SoCal and all the way to Bishop. That'll make for a bit shorter day for Victoria on Friday. If not though, we'll probably take off early Friday and plan to be in the Bishop area by late morning/early afternoon.
But if you guys are planning to get up there earlier to hit up some other regions, I'm definitely down to make that happen!

[Seanz0rz]

I won't know until about a week before unfortunately.

and yes, the ladies do appreciate when there are other ladies to talk to. hearing about tires and springs and main seals for an entire weekend must make them sick!

[DHC6twinotter]

Should I plan on bringing extra fuel?

[troyboy162]

This one shouldnt be too bad. I dont want to pound on the miles and there is gas stations in bishop. I'll have ten with me since I am still testing the fuel carrier but I wont need it. Figure 160 miles max from gas station to gas station.

[Jaydee914]

I'll probably bring 5, just for the heck of it. The last 2 trips I went without and didn't like needing to constantly monitor my fuel level. In the past, I've brought 10 and needed nowhere near that much.

[Seanz0rz]

I rarely go anywhere with out 5 gallons. Just an insurance. If I bring the trailer, then 10 minimum!

[troyboy162]

I hear ya. On trips I hate the feeling when my tank makes it into the single digits. oh and I'm glad I dropped my tank. There was a small spot that my bumper had begun to rub on it. Of course a nice little pin hole would solve my pressure problems lol.

[troyboy162]

updated the first post with locations and Ham freqs.

[Seanz0rz]

thanks troy!

camp fire permit link does not work, is it just the national forest service camp fire permit?

[troyboy162]

I forgot that link changed. I copy paste all my trip write ups :)

[Seanz0rz]

cant find Schriber mine. PM me if it is "your eyes only"

and are we really expecting 3.5 trails?

[troyboy162]

that mine is in the google file I attached on page 5. its mostly just dirt roads up there but I dont know what the other roads will be like when we go to the mine or glacier viewing areas. I highly doubt it will be rougher then a 3.0 but I have never been there. I know if you continue down the road where you can see the glacier best, you end up in some 33" tire areas. I dont think we have to go that far.

[Seanz0rz]

I missed it the first time! thanks, i got it. Still debating on taking the trailer. I've never been up that way offroad, so I have no idea what to expect.

[troyboy162]

http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/glacierview-sanger.htm

thats the only rough area that I know about. It is also where the great views of the glacier are, but I dont think we have to get into the rugged area of the trail.

[Jaydee914]

I'm going to be Ham-legal on this trip! Just passed my test yesterday, and I already have a radio. Just need to program it now...

[Seanz0rz]

I will probably bring my laptop on this trip, and I will have my programming cable, etc.

just got back from camping. The 4runner needs rear shocks BAD! so that is the first thing to get replaced.

oh, and congrats on passing that test! Told you it was easy!

[paddlenbike]

I'm going to be Ham-legal on this trip! Just passed my test yesterday, and I already have a radio. Just need to program it now...

Congrats, I am taking mine July 6. By announcing it I am setting myself up for public humiliation if I don't pass. :) We need more licensed hams here because CBs suck.

Back to trip planning...

[Seanz0rz]

Are you going to make this trip ken?

I found a destroyed outer cv boot on the passenger side last night. Ugh.

[Jaydee914]

I'm really surprised that I passed. I wasn't prepared for the test, but the test was on Thursday about 2 blocks from my hose, and just by coincidence I got out of work early. The alternative would have been to wait until I thought I really was ready and then driven all the way to Long Beach or LA in the middle of next Saturday. So it all just worked out perfectly.
I watched some videos on programming the UV-5R and it looks horribly unintuitive and complicated. Luckily, I bought the computer cable. I've heard there's better software than what's supplied with the radio?

[troyboy162]

sweet! I look forward to the day I can remove my CB. One of my mine friends just bought two of the bofangs at $31 each.

I cant wait for this trip. I just bought some flys for fishing!

[DHC6twinotter]

I picked up a Bofang myself a few week ago. Still have to take the test though...

So much better than CB. :D

[Seanz0rz]

The chirp software is good. Links to repeaterbook. I posted the good baofeng faq in that thread. here is a link: http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?10382-BaoFeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480-MHz-Dual-Band-DTMF-CTCSS-DCS-FM-Ham-Two-Way-Radio&p=106892&viewfull=1#post106892

Can't wait to go!

[paddlenbike]

Are you going to make this trip ken?

I found a destroyed outer cv boot on the passenger side last night. Ugh.

I just realized my wife has a run she has already paid for Saturday morning, so unfortunately, I'm out. I will be headed to Mammoth this summer, so I'll let you know when I plan to head that way.

[troyboy162]

Don't forget to post up your trip planning here. I know hardly anyone on uy wheels, but that may change someday and a heathy amount of trips will atract those who do. I coulda messaged JD, dan and sean since i knew they would be the only ones coming, but i make my runs pubic for the benifit of the group.

[paddlenbike]

Will do. I'm always trying to get socal people up here for wheeling in the Sierras.

[DHC6twinotter]

Troy, have you heard of Reward Mine? Apparantly it's large enough for vehicles to drive in/out. It sounds like it may be on the way:

From http://www.justruns.com/files/directions/DirRewardMine.htm :

From San Diego take 395 north about 310 miles to Lone Pine. Continu e on 395 another 12-14 miles to the entrance to Manzinar National Historic Site. Approximately 1/8 mile north of the Manzinar entrance on the east side of 395 will be the Manzinar/Reward Road. Go east to the base of the Inyo Mountains. Ahead will be the ruins of the Brown Betty Mine. Go left at the Brown Betty and follow the rough road to the north. It will end at the entrance of the Reward Mine @ N36 45.096 W118 03.017. You can drive your vehicle into the mine for about 1/4 mile or more and can walk farther. There are large rooms inside the mine where you can turn your vehicle around. Be careful for metal debris on the floor to avoid tire damage. This is a nice place to visit on a HOT day as it is nice and COOL inside the mine."

[troyboy162]

Yes I have. Its on the oposite side of the 395 then where we are going and If I go there you will never get me out lol. There is multiple levels and at least 10-12 hours of exploring to be had. I hope to make a trip there some day to see the whole thing
http://www.undergroundexplorers.com/reward2.htm

[Seanz0rz]

could spend sunday doing that!

[troyboy162]

I have the courds if you guys want to hit it. I'm gonna take it easy that weekend though. Good food/beers, good views and a little fly fishing to cap it off is what I've been dreaming about

[Seanz0rz]

I'll hopefully have the RTT on the roof by then, so no off camber stuff for me!!!

I am getting excited, just hope I can have my truck in working order by then. Shocks came a couple of days ago, just waiting for CV boots and something to fix my end link

[Jaydee914]

I have the courds if you guys want to hit it. I'm gonna take it easy that weekend though. Good food/beers, good views and a little fly fishing to cap it off is what I've been dreaming about

That sounds about perfect. Victoria gets carsick, so the more relaxing and beer drinking, the better! I wouldn't mind taking up fishing, but some hiking (within reason, since we'll be at 10,000 feet) would be great too.

[troyboy162]

Woohoo! I'm glad we are not going this weekend anymore. I have mandatory overtime

[Jaydee914]

I'm so psyched for this trip!

[kafene]

Troy, have you heard of Reward Mine? Apparantly it's large enough for vehicles to drive in/out. It sounds like it may be on the way:
[/i]

Just did Reward Mine recently. It's pretty cool. Wish I can do this trip with you guys, but I have work that Sunday. I've used up my personal days to clear up a trip to Yosemite in August and Pismo Jamboree in September.

[Seanz0rz]

Mark, how long did it take to visit the mine from 395 round trip?

[kafene]

Man, not sure... it's a long drive out. Linda and I camped out w/ a group of guys. Did a trip checking out different mines. I wouldn't do it as a day trip. Just too much driving. We did a two day trip. Check out and did some exploring and camped. Did Reward Mine the next day before leaving for home.

[Seanz0rz]

Yeah, I was just wondering how long it took to do just the mine, including the drive from the highway. Might hit it up on Sunday on our way back.

[Jaydee914]

I just mapped it on Google, and it says it's only 30 minutes off of 395, which we're driving up anyway. I'm sure it's the exploring that would take a lot of time though.
Another option could be Cerro Gordo Ghost town, just south of there, east of Lone Pine. It's about 50 minutes off of 395, but it might be kind of cool to check out, and probably wouldn't take too much time to explore. And the return drive is actually shorter, and drops us back on 395 further north.
The attachment shows the drive to Cerro Gordo, and the pin is the mine

[Jaydee914]

OK, so what's the plan? We have a total of 4 vehicles, 5, maybe 6 people, right? Troy will be getting up there Friday night; Sean and Dan, what time are you heading up there?
I think Victoria and I will either head out really early Friday morning or try to get some of the driving done Thursday night and stay along the road somewhere.

[Seanz0rz]

Haven't gotten that far in planning yet. I imagine I will leave Friday morning or noonish.

Lexi won't be coming. Not sure about my friend. I found some rather suspicious cracks in the body of the 4Runner, but I think it is just old seam sealer cracking from age and slight movement. I would also like to get my roof rack built before I go, but we'll see.

[Seanz0rz]

What are we expecting for temps? Bishop is around 100/60, but what about at the camps? Funnel Lake is at ~10k feet, and Bishop is at 4k feet, so there should be about a 24-25 degree difference based on altitude. I suspect the mosquitoes will be quite bad as well? I will bring my screen room.

[Jaydee914]

A buddy of mine was just up there a couple weeks ago. It was around 100 in Bishop then, and in the 70's up at camp. I'm thinking 40's at night?

[troyboy162]

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=37.384&lon=-118.422&zoom=13

that should be close. Id expect nice days and possibly chilly nights

Cerro Gordo is a good one, but also requires a day to see the area. The town it self has a public road going through it but if Robert the care taker is up for it you can sometimes see inside the buildings. Water and donations are greatly needed up there.

[troyboy162]

Friends just got back from backpacking around there at 10k feet and said the bugs were bad. I would have never thought of it but I guess some bug spray might be good.

[kafene]

Mark, how long did it take to visit the mine from 395 round trip?

Sean, sorry for the late replies... been so tired from work and just busy doing stuff. Had little time for forums. :/

The drive from the 395 isn't that bad. As Troy said, about 1/2 hour. I remember it being shorter, though. There are a lot of mines to check out in the area, but Reward Mine won't take too long. You drive in, turn around, and drive back out. It's nice a cool inside, but can get pretty dusty from the vehicles. The dirt in there is like flour.

[Jaydee914]

Victoria and I are going to leave Huntington around 8:30 Friday morning, and are planning to check out Cerro Gordo - hopefully we'll be there by about 1:30, unless we stop for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, or Victoria is over the drive. That'll put us in Bishop around 4 or 5, I think.

Are we planning to meet up at Funnel Lake?

Will we need an Adventure Pass to camp up there?

[troyboy162]

Victoria and I are going to leave Huntington around 8:30 Friday morning, and are planning to check out Cerro Gordo - hopefully we'll be there by about 1:30, unless we stop for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, or Victoria is over the drive. That'll put us in Bishop around 4 or 5, I think.

Are we planning to meet up at Funnel Lake?

Will we need an Adventure Pass to camp up there?

Funnel lake is the meet spot. Sounds like we all may be up there by friday night. Good catch on the adventure pass. The area is covered under the inyo national forest so it should have all the same requirments for adventure passes as the SBNF that we are used to.

[Seanz0rz]

I see no mention of the adventure pass on the Inyo NF website. The adventure pass was designed for high use areas: Angeles, San Bernardino, Las Padres, and Cleveland NFs.

as far as I can tell, there is no pass required other than a wilderness pass, but we will not be in any "wilderness" areas from what I can see.

Pg. 9 of this article has a decent map: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_003592.pdf

[troyboy162]

Wow now i better understand people against the adventure pass program. Well that makes the trip cheaper for some. Lord knows the gas money is gonna be rough lol.

[Seanz0rz]

yep, for me it's the equivalent of pismo, actually a little farther.

I understand the adventure pass. Those forests see much more use than others. But I only understand it if I am using the facilities. If I just using the forest, I shouldn't have to pay (another thread i started deals with this, and is a topic for a different day).

I have my fire permit, but each of you might want to print your own.

are we having a camp fire? or just enjoying the sunset and stars?

[troyboy162]

I'm bringing what ever i can fit in the trasharoo

[Jaydee914]

I'm bringing Kevin's wood that I still have from the last Mojave trip (somehow that sounded dirty) and my trusty sawzall. Time for a fire!

[troyboy162]

dont forget the ham repeters all you new Ham guys :)
2M HAM:
UY simplex primary 146.430MHZ
146.940- PL 103.5 Bishop repeter
70CM HAM:
444.600+ 100.0 Win system in bishop

[Seanz0rz]

http://www.repeaterbook.com/

on the right side, grab the app. it stores it offline so you can still access it without data connection. VERY helpful!

[troyboy162]

That's a good one. I have found some that plot the repeters on maps, but every program seems to have drawbacks that leave me just researching what repeaters are popular in the areas i am going.

[4x4mike]

The app is nice to have. I use it mostly for pre planning. I've used the online Repeater Book to export a bunch of frequencies to Excel. I used all of that to make my own repeater book.

[paddlenbike]

Just downloaded it, looks like a great tool to have in case you find yourself somewhere without a book.

[troyboy162]

Alright I will be in bishop around 6-630. No idea what time that puts me to funnel lake but see you there and I'll be on UY simplex and the bishop 2m repeater as soon as im in range.

Oh and my buddy Travis from work is coming with me. Works out good since I like to head out from work anyhow.

[Jaydee914]

Cool. I just need to throw the rest of our stuff in the truck while Victoria's at Pilotes, make one stop for work, and we're on our way!

[Seanz0rz]

We plan on leaving at 10, which puts us at bishop around 5.

[troyboy162]

just some radio info since we should use those new licenses :)

the 2m and the 70cm repeters are both on silver peak. This is the coverage map for the 70cm. its not perfect but is strong through most, if not all, of where we will be.

http://www.winsystem.org/Site_Plots/winsystemPlots/winsystem/silver.gif