Russ in California
Observer
Well, I did make it back in one piece. With the time change and the new job I've been a bit busey. I'll post a complete report soon. Was FUN.
Mono and Back Between Jobs
- Thread starter Russ in California
- Start date
Russ in California
Observer
Ok, here we go.
Got a bit of a late start Sunday and made it to Carson City, NV and took a room for $35. Started out early Monday and at Conway Summit I hung a right and headed out across the hill and found awsome views of Mono from high up.
Very nice view of Mono but on the way back to the highway I was a little willy nilly and nailed a rock with the left front. There IS a big gouge in the wheel that's hard to see in this pic.
Resolved that but without a spare I felt I was on borrowed time.
No replacement in Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes so off to Bishop I went. $153 later and off I go to Tioga Pass to bag that campground at 10,000'. Dang, campground closed so I set up camp at Elery Lake (9,500'). Crikey, $17 per night. No worries, I only stayed one night. A bit on the cool side. Even with my "zero degree" bag, I was a bit uncomfortable even with sockes and thermals on. Heck, in the morn it even got colder for a couple of hours and was, in fact, colder outside my fridge than in(got down to 22).
Tuesday I hit the South Tufa Grove and found the water level quite a bit higher than my last visit 2 years ago. Had a snack, went by the Ntl. Forest Service visitors center, which was closed, took a few pics,
then headed over to the County Park.
The webcam on the Mono Lake webside points at the lake with Lee Vining Creek flowing to the lake. Can't see it in the pic with the trees and bushes but there's a place where the gravel road(Test Station Rd.) crosses the creek down by the evergreens(on land side just below the black island) and there's shade and ambiance so I took lunch there. One of my favorite spots at Mono.
Took a campside at Mono Vista RV park in town. I know, but it was a bit warmer overnight(only down to 25), with a nice restroom and showers though I lit out the next morn before I could get shower tokens. Rented a dvd and watch that on my portable player. Was ok.
Weds. I went out to Black point for a bit but it was cool and there was a bit of a wind for the first time and I didn't piddle around outside too much. I'll come back to this spot another time for sure.
So, off to Bodie(ghost town) for my last stop on this trip. I love Bodie and was looking forward but when I got there (8,000') it was windy and my hands were very cold just taking a few pics at the entrance.
I elected not to stop and headed back to hiway 395 and home.
Made it home Thursday afternoon and still had 3 days before the new job started.
It was a good trip though I believe I like the area a bit better in the summer time. I've wanted to see Mono sometime other than summer and I did that. Now I'd like to go during the winter though I dought I'd camp out. Still, it's one of my favorite places to be and I'll be back again soon.
Got a bit of a late start Sunday and made it to Carson City, NV and took a room for $35. Started out early Monday and at Conway Summit I hung a right and headed out across the hill and found awsome views of Mono from high up.
Very nice view of Mono but on the way back to the highway I was a little willy nilly and nailed a rock with the left front. There IS a big gouge in the wheel that's hard to see in this pic.
Resolved that but without a spare I felt I was on borrowed time.
No replacement in Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes so off to Bishop I went. $153 later and off I go to Tioga Pass to bag that campground at 10,000'. Dang, campground closed so I set up camp at Elery Lake (9,500'). Crikey, $17 per night. No worries, I only stayed one night. A bit on the cool side. Even with my "zero degree" bag, I was a bit uncomfortable even with sockes and thermals on. Heck, in the morn it even got colder for a couple of hours and was, in fact, colder outside my fridge than in(got down to 22).
Tuesday I hit the South Tufa Grove and found the water level quite a bit higher than my last visit 2 years ago. Had a snack, went by the Ntl. Forest Service visitors center, which was closed, took a few pics,
then headed over to the County Park.
The webcam on the Mono Lake webside points at the lake with Lee Vining Creek flowing to the lake. Can't see it in the pic with the trees and bushes but there's a place where the gravel road(Test Station Rd.) crosses the creek down by the evergreens(on land side just below the black island) and there's shade and ambiance so I took lunch there. One of my favorite spots at Mono.
Took a campside at Mono Vista RV park in town. I know, but it was a bit warmer overnight(only down to 25), with a nice restroom and showers though I lit out the next morn before I could get shower tokens. Rented a dvd and watch that on my portable player. Was ok.
Weds. I went out to Black point for a bit but it was cool and there was a bit of a wind for the first time and I didn't piddle around outside too much. I'll come back to this spot another time for sure.
So, off to Bodie(ghost town) for my last stop on this trip. I love Bodie and was looking forward but when I got there (8,000') it was windy and my hands were very cold just taking a few pics at the entrance.
I elected not to stop and headed back to hiway 395 and home.
Made it home Thursday afternoon and still had 3 days before the new job started.
It was a good trip though I believe I like the area a bit better in the summer time. I've wanted to see Mono sometime other than summer and I did that. Now I'd like to go during the winter though I dought I'd camp out. Still, it's one of my favorite places to be and I'll be back again soon.
