White Mountain Research Station Ride 2008

[DannyG]

for more pic's
http://dannyg.smugmug.com/gallery/56...48422217_dgDcf

[riceless950]

Rider914 has ridden with me enough to know what kind of riding I like, and what I don't like. So he recommended I got to Coyote Flat rather than follow the hordes to Bodie. Armed with the GPS track of the loop, supplied by Rider914 (dude's a hero) I took off with;


Scorpion




Dunerat




Luv2race




and Riverrat



in tow.

We start with a high speed blitz of Casa Diablo.





I slowed down when I was taking photos.




In the wash we lost Scorpion and at the top of the first climb we took a long break, but he never showed up. Dunerat said he went a different way.




Our plan was to finish the loop in time for a shower before dinner at Reds. So after a half an hour or so, we boogied. Sorry Dave. This trail was just screamin', LET'S RIDE!.




Beautiful, High Altitude, and High Speed!




Riverrat Railin' It




Dunerat Diggin' It




Luv2race finds a reason to slow down...a little.




Riverrat




The trail to Funnel Lake is pretty bumpy!








More rocks leaving the lake Rocks Good!




OK, time to make time












Even though we're trying to hurry, sometimes I just have to stop for a photo.




This is pretty much where "The Downhill" starts.




Dunerat ONTHEGAS!





Flattens out briefly in this meadow.






Then does this fun off camber rockgarden climb. Think I caught those guys putting more boulders on the trail!






Riverrat




Luv2race




Last look over our shoulder




Pose for a photo




And it's one big long downhill till we get to town!






Then it's Hwy to camp, shower, and make it to Red's right on time.










Really Good Day! Oh and Rider914....Good Call

[Captain Yesterday]

Zen Slug












Kevan aka vagabonds

[wotevah]

As I arrived at camp, DSM8 and Sito were just unloading a couple KTMs off the trailer.



The night was filled with ADVriders laughs and cows mooing.



The morning was very cold, probably in the upper 30s. ADVers are already up at sunrise, getting ready to roll before the heat wave hits the camp.





The ride to Bridgeport was fun (photo by h8chains)

[wotevah]

Then I split and went down to Mono Lake. That's the 395 going by it.


Tufas on Mono Lake


Alkali flies in droves near the alkaline water of the lake. They don't bother anyone and if disturbed they just quickly fly back on the sand.


The tufas were created by underwater geysers as I understand it. The level of the lake was much higher then.
Oh, and walking in 100 deg heat on the beach in full gear gets old really fast.

[wotevah]

View from the Minaret Summit


Closer look. There's still snow on the peaks.


We took advantage of the dinner reservation at Reds Meadow so we could ride into the normally restricted area of the monument (great call Sito!).

Near the Minaret Falls campground.


Beautiful meadows




At the Postpile parking lot, discussing the BMW HP2 that showed up there.


Sito and h8chains


Devils Postpile




Partially burned trees

[wotevah]

The 18-mile White Mountain Road climbs from 7000 to 12500 ft.









The rocky White Mountain road has claimed many tires.


University of California White Mountain Research Station, Barcroft (12500 ft).


And then this happens


Super Suz and Senor Peligro


Super Suz, unaware yet that the hot asphalt is giving way under the V-Strom.


Much better!


Senor Peligro


On the way home

[wotevah]

[Super Suz]

Here are some more shots that you have not seen yet...

Next time I go up, I am bringing up a Shot's lunch box and going to have a picnic looking at the cascades of beauty for miles and miles around me.
Yummy Yummy Yummy. It's all about the food if you don't have really good action shots, right?

Even so, no action shots, I still had a really great time. I'll get better at the action shots as I go along. I'm still Noobin.


One of the best burgers I have had in my life. Another good call by Mr. 205 himself, the ever smiling and fine techno-gear collector, RiverRat! The onions were grilled to perfection and the ice cream wasn"t bad either.


So, I am up on the mountain and sitting in the lecture room listening to the lecture on the history of the station. Then pops up this screen. I thought it was appropriate to take a pic of the adventure dude who established the station. Take a look at the slide. Wonder how he got himself up there in the 50's. Could have been a bike. Could have been a burro. Hmm.




This makes for a nice photo. Next time, I 'll get it right and hone in on the rider with the sign above.






Over the years, I have seen this dude many places. I never really met him but I call him suspender man. He's always wearing suspenders. I think he's a regular with the NorCal BMW circuit or something. He's just so familiar. Next time, I'll chat with you.



And look at this I found. Face powder for men in the Mercantile store at Bodie...



This was the salsa station. Remember that? Yeah....





And last,

[rider914]

Day 3:

A week or so before the rally, h8chains had posted up some GoogleEarth maps/tracks of areas north of Mono Lake. I immediately noticed a few roads new to me. There be an itch that needed scratchin'. The route would include (among other things) Dunderberg, Bridgeport, Masonic, and Bodie. Saturday seemed the right day for it, as the return would bring us back towards Mammoth in time for dinner at Red's Mdw. This would be a pretty easy ride, so anyone who wanted to tag along was welcome. In the morning, we ended up with five LC8's and one KLR in our little group. No worries, nine times outa ten when I stop to regroup, 2old2race is the next to show We followed the Owens River Rd out to 395, then up to June Lake Junction for a quicky breakfast. From there we opted for a dirt route all the way up to Lee Vining. Sure, it was a nearly straight pole-line road, but I think everyone agreed it was pretty darned fun









After filling the tanks and an ABS adjustment on the lone 990, we zipped up to Conway Summit, turned left towards Virginia Lakes, then another quick left on road 180. This dirt two-track climbs the ridge south of Virginia Creek to just shy of 10k feet. The views back towards Mono Lake were fantastic. Despite the route being 'obscured' we managed to drop down to the lakes and connect with Dunderberg Mdw Rd. Had lots of fun drifting corners on this road, with 2old2race just off my six (Good time, eh Bob?) In no time at all we were back to 395 and a short run to the Bridgport Inn for lunch.















Just as we finished lunch, two more groups of inmates rolled into town, lookin' for trouble
... and food
... and directions
Somehow they got the impression that I knew where I was going, so our little group of 6 suddenly turned in to something like 20 What followed was a rip-roarin', power-slidin', dust-eatin' (for some), melee up to Masionic and down thru the high hills all the way to Bodie.





















The local law was lookin' nervous with so many ADVers in town, so I rounded up our original group and we snuck out via Cottonwood Cyn. Some flat sandy roads brought us back to Lee Vining, then another pass at the pole-line road back to Mammoth. A few split off along the way, back to camp for showers or dinner elsewhere. Design4D, kkug, and I all aimed for Red's and the well worth it views and dinner.













Continued...

-M

[fmfpunk]

Originally Posted by rider914

Day 3:

Just as we finished lunch, two more groups of inmates rolled into town, lookin' for trouble
... and food
... and directions
Somehow they got the impression that I knew where I was going,.....

-M

The fools, trusinting you! Ha!
Look forward to the next installment.

[ErrinV]

Hey this road looks familiar.



Last summer.




Since you guys were up at Dunderberg, did you make it here,



and here?

[2old2race]

Originally Posted by ErrinV

Hey this road looks familiar.



Last summer.




Since you guys were up at Dunderberg, did you make it here,



and here?

I don't remember see'in that water, course it's hard to see through rider914's dust

[Bigger Al]

Hey Super Suz,

The guy in the suspenders is Hurty. Ask him about his motorhome some time.

[RiverRat]

Next year I'm going to Bodie. Nice pics M.