We rode the high country around Bishop this weekend. There were still numerous snow drifts that blocked the roads. We made it up into Coyote Flats, but could not get to Funnel Lake, Baker Creek, or much beyond the Salty Peterson Mine. On Sand Canyon/Rock Creek we got in about 10 miles, but didn't make it quite all the way to the lake. We also made it a mile or so up Wheeler Ridge before we got stopped. Buttermilk was completely clear though.

It was actually kind of fun. We would bash through the drifts with the 4X4's (that little Rancher is such a peach!!!!), then the kids and the 2X4's would follow, riding in our ruts. The kids would usually high center, but with a little pushing and pulling, we got them all through. It was great fun, but if you are thinking of going to the high Sierra, wait another month (maybe more??) for the snow to melt!!

Just a couple of notes. The lower Buttermilk area has been "discovered" by the rock climbers. Expect heavy traffic on the lower road, and a lot of competition for good campsites. Likewise, Rock Creek/Sand Canyon has been "discovered" by the mountain bikers. We got lectured by some greeeeeeenie bikers (just candy a$$ tourists!!) on the fact that atv's cause "serious errosion". This ticks me off, because I ride mountain bike even more than I ride atv's, and I feel like the sport has sold out other off-roaders for peace with the greenies.

 

Hey Reconranger,

Glad you had lots of fun in Bishop. We went to Jawbone and had a ball. Only problem was the high winds at night 35++ miles.

My friends are interested in a Bishop / Mammoth trip this summer.

Is there a campground where we can ride out from?? The toyhaulers in our group range from 21 to 32 footers and we can boondock for a

week hihi.


Thanks

Marco Polo

 

In Bishop (Inyo National Forest), the best camping (remote camping where you can ride right from camp) is along Buttermilk Rd. Take highway 168 (Line St.) west out of town 7.7 miles. Go up Buttermilk Rd. a couple of miles and look for any campsite along the creek. Trouble is, even though the elevation is ~6,000 ft., it gets REAL HOT during the summer (so go early!!). If your rigs have air conditioning, and you can spend the hot midday riding in the high country, it works out OK. Coyote Flats, Sand Canyon/Rock Creek/Wheeler Crest, and Silver Canyon are great rides, but you will have to shuttle your bikes to the trailheads. e-mail me for specific directions, or just ask directions at the ranger station in town.

North of Mammoth on highway 395, the best camping is at Deadman Creek. Here again, do remote camping along the creek. This area has big trees and shade, and is way cooler than Bishop in the summer. Get an Inyo National Forest map and ride any of the hundreds of miles of forest service roads that suits your fancy.

 

What do you mean "have to shuttle the bikes to the trailhead"?

 

We camp on Buttermilk Rd., and there is a lot of riding right around there. From Buttermilk, there is probably a way to get to Coyote Flats trailhead, but I have never had time to scout the route (trailhead is like 10 miles away). So, we load the bikes up on a trailer and drive them over there. Silver Canyon and Rock Creek trailheads are DEFINITELY to far to ride on the quad, so you have to trailer the bikes there too.

These are my favorite rides, but there are hundreds of miles of dirt roads you can ride. Problem is, most are down in the valley, where it is hot during summer. The rides I mentioned, are at higher altitudes where you can stay cool!!!

 

Are there rangers and sherriffs to keep you off the roads?

 

It is legal to ride ANY DIRT ROAD (but no single track trails), unless it is posted closed (rarely happens). In 20 years, I have never seen a ranger.

 

Hey Reconranger, do you mean no quads on single track trails?

 

I guess the way I wrote that was a little confusing. That's right, NO SINGLE TRACK TRAILS (most of the trails are in wilderness areas anyway). But, you have hundreds of miles of dirt roads you can ride, so it's no big deal.

For rides around Mammoth, see http://www.visitmammoth.com/activities/4wdfr.html and request the free map by clicking on the Mammoth Lakes logo.