A visit to Coyote Flat

[teotwaki]

I've been trying to get my blog updated as much as possible before the year ends! Here are some nice shots from a trip to The Flat with my trailer

Full story: http://suntothenorth.blogspot.com/2015/12/expedition-trailer-at-coyote-flat.html

Rocky Bottom Lake held only rocks. The impacts of the drought were seen at all of the lakes that are only replenished by rain or snow melt

Baker Lake looked much better.

Funnel Lake was quite low but still provided good reflections

 

[teotwaki]

The campsite was secluded and rarely saw visitors

 

[coolfeet]

How cold is the temperature at night?

Nice photos.

 

[teotwaki]

Some interesting history about the old landing strip at Coyote Flat

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/CA/Airfields_CA_Fresno_N.htm#coyoteflats



At 9988' above sea level, Coyote Flat was the highest airfield in North America until its recent de-comissioning and is one of the few military installations to have been based in the Owens Valley and immediate surroundings. In the 1960s, the Air Force Flight Center, Edwards Air Force base (AFFTC) took over 642 acres of Coyote Flat as a test site. The official explanation is that the Department of Defense used the landing strip to test the high altitude performance of helicopters and airplanes. More conspiracy minded individuals point out that AFFTC also ran Area 51 and that the inaccessibility of Coyote Flat kept operations far from prying eyes. In the last few years, control of the area was ceded back to the Forest Service which removed the three buildings, dug up the pavement, and surrounded the site with barbed wire in order to return the site to its natural condition. The Forest Service insists that the large “X” is meant to discourage landings. Even so, back country flying enthusiasts have found it possible to land on the airstrip without undo trouble.

 

[teotwaki]

How cold is the temperature at night?

Nice photos.

Thanks!

Daytime temps were in the high 50's to low 60's when there were no clouds. Nighttime temps were in the low 40's (September)

You can start with the temps local to Bishop then deduct about 2-3 degrees per 1000' of elevation difference. Bishop is at 4,150' so roughly 12-18 degrees lower.