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Mini Eastern Sierra Loop - But won't there be too much traffic?
The stage was set, a mini loop to celebrate the opening of Tioga pass in Yosemite.
Yes memorial day weekend! Are we mad to consider this feat with the millions upon millions of travels out to get us and wreck our fun :dunno :ricky A quick old fashioned "in/out" of the eastern sierra's. the route = simple 108 395 120 Bam, done, no rocket science no large gps track log etc. Can you tell I am trying to draw this out yet? :D The adventure bunch for this outing: jocflier & lookoutlinn Joc and I departed the cloudy bay area at 6am to beat some of the friday morning traffic: Where is that guy? :dunno As you notice I was packed light for this trip no large duffle just ma jesse's and a camelpack http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543929331_9DXXh-L.jpg My god is that a UFO! nope just sun bright piaa's http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544056518_Wbj79-L.jpg It was cloudy and cool, great get out of town weather http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543994362_n7i7q-L.jpg caution caution caution, here comes the sun do do do do http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543924463_r6hpM-L.jpg It started to clear up too http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544047458_FZXJt-L.jpg As suspected all the traffic was going the other way :clap http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543939822_eYAbn-L.jpg well most of it anyway, joc bringing up the rear http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544002888_3PH5k-L.jpg We didn't stop, we had some traveling to do and a milk shake would have been tasty but it wasn't even 8am yet :D http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543999030_DeFEq-L.jpg So I am dumb and do not know what IOOF stands for but I saw it on two different buildings, then I looked it up and they are a bunch of odd fellows :dunno :D http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543948046_ohNtP-L.jpg :snore so much traffic :lol3 http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543937074_eZFkf-L.jpg The salute, I think he means it too! :huh http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543999702_toSSF-L.jpg more in a minute.................... |
Then off for a side trip to scout out some hot springs for another ride
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543994939_RMmEh-L.jpg The sky was amazing this day http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543990536_2PYuq-L.jpg We arrived to a short maybe 1 mile dirt road to the springs http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543942790_QETdm-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544063971_UVCj9-L.jpg The source http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544053152_TVYUG-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543916050_KH44G-L.jpg "look! cascading water!" http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544048107_YfALn-L.jpg The above was the man assisted pool near the road, a short walk and you got to the main pools http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544061747_tnqwn-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544059437_Cg3c3-L.jpg amazing http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544046763_J2gDb-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544056821_nHeCc-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544060084_FaWTa-L.jpg The water was very warm, they do not allow camping however which was a shame. Off to our camp spot for the nigh in lee vining. Close to town so we could walk in and get grub and beer. Almost there! Again with the traffic! http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544001696_GneJE-L.jpg The guys playing CHiPs :lol3 http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543973952_wm3Uu-L.jpg I love this place, mono lake http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543974590_SgRV7-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543996998_WiNwX-L.jpg |
Sigh.
California doesn't suck, does it? |
At camp
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544012185_gkSZi-L.jpg We arrived before check in time so we went to the whoa nellie deli for lunch http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544017604_kKfKL-L.jpg and then the sky opened up and it pissed down with rain and thunder for about 20 minutes :dunno then it was fine :D lunch was tasty http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543918663_bwydf-L.jpg this guy had a wet bed for the night http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543980299_7RJBc-L.jpg it cleared up and was time to head back and set up camp http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543979748_AvVSD-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543951349_vxtbU-L.jpg lookoutlinn went for another scoot about, while joc and I went to grab beers and snacks :D oh and to goof about on the kids play ground :D http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543982658_8TN6c-L.jpg The weather had moved off to the north so we were going to have a nice clear but chilly night http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544059782_TZJSj-L.jpg into town we go.... http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544004631_iR5xh-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544054504_iVDdt-L.jpg back to camp with some boont amber :tb and some snacks, much chat http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544020272_osny7-L.jpg Even after the snacks we decided to grab a small bite in town later and the BBQ menu was not calling me so I opted for the kids menu :D The waitress was more than accommodating. :lol3 http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544041473_sf6Pn-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543975903_SUZRa-L.jpg The sky was amazing that night http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543935621_bGFLT-L.jpg We watched the troop next door trying to put up their tent it took about 2 hours! :huh :lol3 http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543958047_YSryz-L.jpg Then we tried not to laugh as the tipsy old guy next door said his prayer for the evening "and thou I walk thru the valley of death I fear nothing, as I am the baddest motherfucker here" :jack He even woke me up around 2am yelling in his sleep :huh Was chilly but not bad and apart from the asshats arriving at 3am and setting up next to us I slept very well. |
Up early the next day to a great sunrise
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544031187_rs8Rs-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544048994_ahxG7-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543996076_QnDSt-L.jpg lookout was off for some more exploring before heading home and joc and I gassed up and headed for tioga. Cool trailer as we gassed up http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543921521_XKNB6-L.jpg Ok, this is why I came, here we go :clap http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543922331_sGkMf-L.jpg mono lake disappearing in the background http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543933761_uosZP-L.jpg :ricky http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543954664_jQand-L.jpg was :vardy for a bit in the shade http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544028075_FKgmp-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544006422_sdSVx-L.jpg A bit wet in spots with some run off from the snow but the roads was in great condition http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544010907_gG6Qn-L.jpg this is my happy face :poser http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543993718_FLgzH-L.jpg odd snowman http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544057430_XVEG4-L.jpg the views :bow http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544065280_fpMX6-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544062127_vspau-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544023058_QSPoy-L.jpg more water http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544020922_WsmCu-L.jpg the one bit of traffic in the park, nice tw though :D http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544058414_jUuY9-L.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544034278_vkWZs-L.jpg we paid at the lower gate since the top had issues with the payment thingy? The traffic going into the part was growing. http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/543992419_VokkW-L.jpg for us however it was open and easy sailing http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544036209_MzBjd-L.jpg big oak flat I think http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544036800_nC2k4-L.jpg more of those odd folks http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544034860_Mcw4X-L.jpg a few twisties, we did actually get stuck behind some asshat city worker doing 20mph the whole lower section, but he pulled off eventually too http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/544051794_v4qJB-L.jpg: our direction nothing the other way however was packed as we went into the central valley. Bit of lane splitting near livermore and home safe and sound. Was a great wee get away and was nice to met a new ADV'r and hang out with an old one :gerg :lol3 till next time folks :D FIN |
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Looks great Garry! :clap
Much more scenic than my ride report. http://mojavegs.smugmug.com/photos/3...46_VgmuJ-L.jpg |
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Ah the good old days :D |
Cool! I really like the eastern sierras. I drove out a few years ago just to see Bodie.:thumb The Clint Eastwood movie High Plains Drifter was filmed on the shores of Mono Lake. :nod
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I would like to thank Garry and Tony for a great time. The roads were great along with good company. The old guy was a piece of work, and Gerry was not kidding about the "walk through the shadow of death" prayer.:lol3 along with screaming at the top of his voice COCKERSUCKER:huh at 1:00 am. Must have been some dream.:norton
Joc:D |
Nice pics!
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Nice RR with great photos. I'm up here in Bishop for a fishing trip and will probably take a similar route over the Sierra, but then I will turn south for home. :thumb
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I was amazed at the beautiful mono lake when coming out of Yosemite a few years back. That first site coming down the mountain was something awesum. Thanks for sharing the pictures and trip. Love that area of the country.
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Thanks AngryScot!:thumb I plan to ride through there again in July. I can't wait.
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