Figured I'd post a little trip report from our 4th of July Bishop/Bridgeport/Bodie CA adventure.
DAY 1
My wife and and I loaded the truck up Thursday night for a leisurely 8am start Friday morning. We headed to Bishop and made a stop at Schat's for a couple of sandwiches. After lunch we headed up to Four Jeffery Campground; just below South Lake. We spent the day napping and fishing Bishop Creek. After snagging our limit, it was time for cocktails and Brauts on the grill (trout was saved for Sunday). Our friend Jim and his girlfriend showed up later that evening for more cocktails and fire pit.
DAY 2
The next morning, we loaded up the truck and were off to Bridgeport for the 4th of July celebration that the town puts on every year. We made a side trip over to Mono Lake for some pictures along the way. We found I nice secluded camp spot for future trips. After that, we arrived in Bridgeport, and found the town bustling with a rodeo, local vendors and games for the kids in front of the court house. We had planned to camp near Buckeye hot springs, but found that place packed. So, we decided to head back into town and check out the festivities. We cruised around town for a couple of hours, then decided we better find a spot for the night. I spoke with the local Forest Service office, and they suggested going out Aurora Canyon Rd., just north of town, as it has plenty places to camp. We soon found ourselves about 4 miles out of town, in a nice little secluded spot with great views of the town. As we were about to set up, a thunder storm rolled though forcing us into the truck with a bottle of wine to wait it out. After the storm passed, we set up camp, and put some steaks on the grill. At around 10pm, the fireworks show began, and we were able to lay inside the camper and watch the show.
DAY 3
Another leisurely morning started with Bloody Mary's and a hot shower, before taking Aurora Canyon road toward Bodie. We took our time, stopping for pictures and beer, finally descending from the crest into Bodie. We spent a couple of hours wondering around (would love to hit it again and spend more time). The only draw back, is its very touristy....tons of people everywhere
After Bodie, we decided to head south toward Lee Vining and south back to Bishop. We took a back road that dumped us out just north of Mono Lake/Lee Vining. Once back on 395, we cruised through the June Lake Loop from the north, took the Rock Creek road down to the valley floor, then cut across to HWY 168 and back to Four Jeffery Campground. We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening exploring and finally settled in with some trout caught on DAY 1 and more cocktails.
DAY 4
We slept in again......got up that morning and headed off the mountain toward home. We stopped off in Lone Pine to visit with my aunt and uncle, then made our way back to Menifee. We pulled into the driveway at 4pm; ending an epic, relaxing 4th of July.
DAY 1
My wife and and I loaded the truck up Thursday night for a leisurely 8am start Friday morning. We headed to Bishop and made a stop at Schat's for a couple of sandwiches. After lunch we headed up to Four Jeffery Campground; just below South Lake. We spent the day napping and fishing Bishop Creek. After snagging our limit, it was time for cocktails and Brauts on the grill (trout was saved for Sunday). Our friend Jim and his girlfriend showed up later that evening for more cocktails and fire pit.
DAY 2
The next morning, we loaded up the truck and were off to Bridgeport for the 4th of July celebration that the town puts on every year. We made a side trip over to Mono Lake for some pictures along the way. We found I nice secluded camp spot for future trips. After that, we arrived in Bridgeport, and found the town bustling with a rodeo, local vendors and games for the kids in front of the court house. We had planned to camp near Buckeye hot springs, but found that place packed. So, we decided to head back into town and check out the festivities. We cruised around town for a couple of hours, then decided we better find a spot for the night. I spoke with the local Forest Service office, and they suggested going out Aurora Canyon Rd., just north of town, as it has plenty places to camp. We soon found ourselves about 4 miles out of town, in a nice little secluded spot with great views of the town. As we were about to set up, a thunder storm rolled though forcing us into the truck with a bottle of wine to wait it out. After the storm passed, we set up camp, and put some steaks on the grill. At around 10pm, the fireworks show began, and we were able to lay inside the camper and watch the show.
DAY 3
Another leisurely morning started with Bloody Mary's and a hot shower, before taking Aurora Canyon road toward Bodie. We took our time, stopping for pictures and beer, finally descending from the crest into Bodie. We spent a couple of hours wondering around (would love to hit it again and spend more time). The only draw back, is its very touristy....tons of people everywhere
After Bodie, we decided to head south toward Lee Vining and south back to Bishop. We took a back road that dumped us out just north of Mono Lake/Lee Vining. Once back on 395, we cruised through the June Lake Loop from the north, took the Rock Creek road down to the valley floor, then cut across to HWY 168 and back to Four Jeffery Campground. We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening exploring and finally settled in with some trout caught on DAY 1 and more cocktails.DAY 4
We slept in again......got up that morning and headed off the mountain toward home. We stopped off in Lone Pine to visit with my aunt and uncle, then made our way back to Menifee. We pulled into the driveway at 4pm; ending an epic, relaxing 4th of July.
