The 395

My trek to the northwest continued up US-395 along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I had heard so many stories about the beauty of this route, that I just had to travel this way.

(Lone Pine CA)
The Alabama Hills are situated between the town and Mt.Whitney the highest point in the lower 48 states. I drove through Movie Rd and saw lots of free campsite possibilities amongst the boulders.

Sage brush field with mountains

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Unfortunately, the day I arrived there was a hazardous winds advisory. For several days, winds of 35-45 MPH gusting to 75 were forecast. It was mostly sandy ground, and I wasn’t going to sit through that when I have wheels on the RV.

(Big Pine CA)
So, I moved up the road about 50 miles to a county campground called Baker Creek. It was sheltered somewhat by a high hill and a grove of trees along the creek. This spot was recommended by Ted from the Life with Kurumi blog.

Stream running over rocks

Baker Creek

At $10 per night for dry camping, I considered it expensive. We stayed there for two days. The winds were not nearly as bad as forecast; although only 10 miles south they clocked them at 69 MPH.

(Bishop CA)
After the winds subsided, we moved further north up the 395. A BLM camp turned out to not yet be open for the season. So, we headed over to Buttermilk Rd to do some free boondocking there.

RV with snow capped mountains

Tardis at Buttermilk Road

We spent three lovely days next to a babbling brook, with the snow covered Sierras for a backdrop. But, we were then rousted by the LA Water District folks who told us we were on their land. Someone had stolen the no-camping sign, and we were only 200 feet beyond the legal BLM area.

(Crowley Lake CA)
Again, moving further north, we landed at Crowley Lake CG-BLM. A nice treeless campground with picnic tables, fire ring-grills, and vault toilets for $5 per night (1/2 that with Sr Pass). The dump costs an additional $5.

Motorhome camped by mountains

Tardis at Crowley Lake

It was a nice spot with views of the Sierra Nevada and of Crowley Lake. I stayed for 9 days then moved on, while Ted had purchased an LTVA pass and planned to stay for the summer. It’s convenient to Mammoth Lakes, and several interesting trails up toward the John Muir Wilderness.

(Crestview CA)
Did laundry, got gas and propane, and resupplied the cupboards on the way to my next camp. It was only 25 miles north to Big Springs CG in the Inyo National Forest. At 7800 ft it had tall pines, hills, and a crystal clear creek with trout.

Creek with rocks and moss

Deadman Creek

I had a nice site with picnic table, fire ring, and a nearby vault toilet. It snowed the first and third nights there, but melted away in the morning. A quiet place about two miles off the main highway, with just a couple of other campers, and it was free. I even had a 3G internet signal.

(Lee Vining CA)
Spent two days at a boondocking spot overlooking Mono Lake, Inyo NF. Then went down to Navy Beach and the Tufa South viewpoint to take photos of the lake and the strange formations.

Island in a lake

Mono Lake

The rocks didn’t appear as I had imagined; maybe the light, or just too much prior information. Look for a separate post with photos taken of the Mono Lake tufas.

(Walker CA)
I drove into town to eat at Walker Burger which came highly recommended. It was good, and they had a nice outdoor eating area under the trees. Back down the highway, about three miles, I found a nice boondocking spot next to the Walker River in the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF.

River rapids with trees

Walker River

Then, it was north on US-395 into Nevada where I resupplied in Carson City; food for the pantry, gas and propane. It’s a nice route to take with a variety of camping options. I’m glad I took the opportunity to pass through on The 395.

Camps: Boondock, BLM-Crowley Lake CG, Inyo NF-Big Springs CG
Scene: Creeks, lakes, river, forest, mountains

11 Responses to The 395

  1. Gypsy June 24, 2014 at 4:51 am #

    It’s been years since I’ve been near Mono Lake, but I remember the rocks not being so flat on top.

    • Pleinguy June 24, 2014 at 4:56 am #

      What you see in this pix are the two islands in the lake. Photos of the tufa rocks will come in a later post.

  2. Jim and Gayle June 24, 2014 at 3:37 pm #

    Too bad you didn’t get to stay in the Alabama Hills. We really enjoyed it there. I think you had to hit the tufa at just the right time of day for the light in order to get the good photos you’ve seen.
    Gayle

    • Pleinguy June 24, 2014 at 10:29 pm #

      I was looking forward to camping in the Alabama Hills. Once up the road, I didn’t want to back track that far. More pix to come in a Mono Lake post.

  3. J. RICHARD SECOR June 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm #

    Nice blog post and great photos.

    • Pleinguy June 24, 2014 at 10:30 pm #

      Thanks Dick. I’m glad you appreciate it. I always fret over the photos.

  4. Melinda June 25, 2014 at 2:21 am #

    Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain in North America, but it is in Alaska not the Alabama hills, CA or anywhere in the lower 48. The mountain you are talking about it Mt. Whitney and is the highest summit in the lower 48 at elevation 14,505. Look it up!!!

    • Pleinguy June 25, 2014 at 4:34 am #

      You are correct of course. I was confused by the local claims. Sorry for offending Alaska. I have made the necessary changes.

    • Melinda June 25, 2014 at 3:51 pm #

      Alaska can hold its own, therefore not offended. Some day, you may see Mt. McKinley, what we call Denali – the Great one. And you will laugh that someone in CA wanted to make that false claim.

  5. Jimbo June 25, 2014 at 6:03 pm #

    Sure glad you were able to experience the many wonders of 395. It is one of my most favorite highways.

    • Pleinguy June 25, 2014 at 8:32 pm #

      It was a fun trip; glad I got to do it.

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