21 replies to this topic

[MarkBC]

Great stuff, slo! I spend time up there almost every year, but I haven't explored most of the possibilities for dispersed camping.

For those not familiar with the area, camping is not allowed in the designated "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest" area, which covers much of the crest near the road...which is also some of the most view-some area. You just have to pay attention to where that boundary is. Last fall I camped near the radio towers which are near the top of the Silver Canyon Road, just outside of the restricted bristlecone area. Huge view.

[craig333]

Great trip report so far. You camped where I would have camped had I arrived in the daylight.

[ntsqd]

Once a year Barcroft Station has an open house. Worth putting on your calendar. If nothing else then you can drive all of the way to the station. When we were there they had an experiment in process studying the effects of high altitude on the fertility of sheep.

[SLO_F-250]

Great stuff, slo! I spend time up there almost every year, but I haven't explored most of the possibilities for dispersed camping.

For those not familiar with the area, camping is not allowed in the designated "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest" area, which covers much of the crest near the road...which is also some of the most view-some area. You just have to pay attention to where that boundary is. Last fall I camped near the radio towers which are near the top of the Silver Canyon Road, just outside of the restricted bristlecone area. Huge view.

Good to know Mark. I had no idea that was the case. Luckily it was raining and I didnt pull over to set up camp on one of those "view-some" areas!

Great trip report so far. You camped where I would have camped had I arrived in the daylight.

Being able to explore during the day helps out bigtime! Its nerve racking enough driving down a dirt tight dirt road with the big rig during the day! HAHA I'm always worried about turning the beast around. Usually my girl and I jump on our bikes for a little exploring before heading down "that road".

Once a year Barcroft Station has an open house. Worth putting on your calendar. If nothing else then you can drive all of the way to the station. When we were there they had an experiment in process studying the effects of high altitude on the fertility of sheep.

Thats cool! We stopped and chatted with one of the guys up there. They were still studying the effects of high altitude on the fertility of sheep. Pretty interesting high altitude setup they have.

___________________
My girlfriend was down visiting this weekend from SLO so I was able to steal some of her pictures. A few more shots from the White Mountain Ride....

Me grubbing down on a snack. That altitude sure makes me HUNGRY!



Another shot of where we are going. Long way up!



The shack at the top. Not sure what it is up there for.



My girl's garmen watch showing the elevation.



The route down. OH BOY!



The muddy drive back to find a campsite...



Ill get more pictures of the cool campsite we got later. In one of the posts above, I put up a google earth shot of the area. It was the star designating "night 2".
Cheers,
Paul

[MarkBC]

Good to know Mark. I had no idea that was the case. Luckily it was raining and I didnt pull over to set up camp on one of those "view-some" areas!

Cheers,
Paul

Check out the Inyo NF map to see the exact boundaries of that no-camping Bristlecone Forest area...in some areas there's a sign: "Entering/Leaving Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest", something like that. There's a flat area, kinda like a parking area, at the top of the Silver Canyon Road that's about 100 yards outside the restricted area, and I've camped there a couple of times: huge view over Bishop and the eastern Sierras -- absolutely spectacular camping spot, view-wise...though maybe not choice in any other way.

Despite that restrictive zone, dispersed camping is legal both south of it (like, kinda between Grandview and the Schulman Grove) as well as north of it, between the Patriarch Grove and the locked gate.

[Desert Rancher]

You have the rig all set-up! Perfect.

I see you keep the tailgate on, so do I. How do you like that?
It does make for a nice little bench/table. Getting in and out is a little more challenging, but I'm OK with it.

Happy Trails to you!

~DR

[Desert Rancher]

Once a year Barcroft Station has an open house. Worth putting on your calendar. If nothing else then you can drive all of the way to the station. When we were there they had an experiment in process studying the effects of high altitude on the fertility of sheep.

Say it's not true...

[SunMan]

Love a heavy photo laden TR...good stuff. Thanks for all the pics.

[SLO_F-250]

Check out the Inyo NF map to see the exact boundaries of that no-camping Bristlecone Forest area...in some areas there's a sign: "Entering/Leaving Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest", something like that. There's a flat area, kinda like a parking area, at the top of the Silver Canyon Road that's about 100 yards outside the restricted area, and I've camped there a couple of times: huge view over Bishop and the eastern Sierras -- absolutely spectacular camping spot, view-wise...though maybe not choice in any other way.Despite that restrictive zone, dispersed camping is legal both south of it (like, kinda between Grandview and the Schulman Grove) as well as north of it, between the Patriarch Grove and the locked gate.

Thanks for the Info!!!

You have the rig all set-up! Perfect.I see you keep the tailgate on, so do I. How do you like that?It does make for a nice little bench/table. Getting in and out is a little more challenging, but I'm OK with it.Happy Trails to you!~DR

Thanks. Rig is working out great so far! I'm 50/50 on leaving the tailgate on. It is a nice bench, but a pain getting in and out. I would like to take it off when I build my new bumper with tire/jerrycan swing out, but who knows when Ill get time for that! Happy trails to you too!

Love a heavy photo laden TR...good stuff. Thanks for all the pics.

Thanks! I like looking at other people trips/rigs/etc so I try to post as many photos as posible!

[SLO_F-250]

Alright,

How about some pictures from night 2 in the area. (night 3 total) In the map on one of my previous posts you can see where we ended up. Just up the hill from the night before.

Oh how I love this view!!



Where we ended up. The hill was WAY steeper than it looked! Just enough room to level out though!





Cool view from the cocktail spot!







How about Tacos for dinner! View and all!









Ok, more truck picts.... Sorry, cant help!





Next morning it was Egg Taco time! A little salsa theme that day.



Morning Coffee Spot now.





On the road again! Headed to Mammoth. Great time in the White Mountain/ Ancient Bristle Cone Forest Area!!



Just a bit more to come. Some shots of riding in Mammoth and a few of Tahoe.