Mono Craters - Potato Peak - Green/ Virginia Lakes

[SLEDAWG]

Been meaning to post a solo trip I took mid Oct up the CA395 and finally have gotten to it. The “shoulder seasons” are the best. No crowds or bugs.
After escaping the madness of SOCAL, I made my way into Mono Basin area. I found my way up Bald Mt. east of Mammoth. An easy drive up the 9kft peak where a fire lookout and warming hut are located.

I found a good place near the peak to camp and got up early to return to the peak to enjoy the sunrise and coffee.

I’ve driven past Crater Mountain east of June Lake many times and this time decided to climb. I used the trailhead on the west side which turned out to be quite the challenge. It was exceptionally steep and for each three steps I went back one in the soft sand. I finally made it to the top and was rewarded with spectacular views. Not bad for a 65 y/o

More to follow….

 

[SLEDAWG]

My next goal was to explore the Bodie Mt range north of Mono Lake. I came up through Cottonwood Canyon Rd south of Bodie and headed up the grade on Bodie Masonic Rd. I must have enjoyed the drive too much and didn’t take pictures except for a cow who decided not to mooove off the road.

I did take a turn off and drove up toward Potato Mountain. A fun short hike.

Next day I headed west toward Dundenburg Mill/ Green Lake. Since it was mid week I had the place mostly to myself. I decided to hike up to Green Lake to test my fishing skills.

Most enjoyable area and the fishing was exceptional for late in the season. Lots of bear tracks around the lake.

More to follow

 

[SLEDAWG]

Virginia Lakes was the next destination. The weather continued to hold and with the exception of the lower lake I had the trail to myself. A good short trip!

 

[AWG_Pics]

Great trip report. Nothing beats midweek travel in beautiful country!

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Nice pix, beautiful skies. I lived in June Lake in the 1970s and 1980s, working for the county. Tons of history in the areas you visited.

 

[SLEDAWG]

Yup…lots of history. There was an abandoned road I followed at the start of my hike up Crater Mt. I’ve searched the internet to see if there was an old mine on the northern crater to no avail. Amazing that someone could plow a road up those mountains.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for posting your trip.
Frank

 

[CPT Davenport]

That looks dreamy! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Yup…lots of history. There was an abandoned road I followed at the start of my hike up Crater Mt. I’ve searched the internet to see if there was an old mine on the northern crater to no avail. Amazing that someone could plow a road up those mountains. View attachment 191405

There's a pumice mine at the northern end of the craters, it could be an earlier road put in during those operations or for exploratory purposes in connection with it. Also, the area was quite active for the decade in the 1930s while work was underway putting a tunnel under the craters to channel water from Mono Basin streams to the Owens River as part of the LA water aqueduct. There was a large community called West Portal, two shaft camps and a smaller community called East Portal. The road might be connected, though the current Forest Service roads were originated during LADWP efforts.