[Russ in California]

Ok, here we go.
Got a bit of a late start Sunday(10-22-06) 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.
At the new job for a week now. Boy is it different. Not retail any more. We don't sell parts, we ACCOUNT for them. It's government babby.

[450 DUDE]

Sweet trip ..

One of my favorite areas also.
Good to see you made it through without any super crazy drama.


ken

[calico kid]

that trip is on my list for sure thanks for the pic's may be next month.

[calfj60]

I love that area....hey have you ever heard the story of a dirt road that goes from Bishop to Bodie??? I have herad the urban legand but never found the trail???

[SLOwag]

....hey have you ever heard the story of a dirt road that goes from Bishop to Bodie??? I have herad the urban legand but never found the trail???

Do tell, that would be at least 90 miles. There is a Bridgeport to Bodie trail of course.....

[calfj60]

Well now that my truck is upa nd running I guess I can start looking again....You have any interesty in a trip all the way accross AZ on dirt???

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by Russ in California

Ok, here we go.
Got a bit of a late start Sunday(10-22-06) 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.
At the new job for a week now. Boy is it different. Not retail any more. We don't sell parts, we ACCOUNT for them. It's government babby.

Looks like it was a great trip!

[Kofoed]

Bodie is really cool.

[Russ in California]

Originally Posted by Kofoed

Bodie is really cool.

It was a great trip and I always try to go up to Bodie when I'm at Mono. I love the place. It was just to dang cold for this coastal boy this time out. I was a little dissapointed in myself for weenyin' out but 'I'll be back'.
Looking at the pics kind of makes me miss the place already.
I'd like to try going during winter, staying in motels of course, but I think I'll stick to June thru Sept. Just a bit warmer which is nice.

[SLOwag]

I'd like to try going during winter, staying in motels of course, but I think I'll stick to June thru Sept. Just a bit warmer which is nice.

Try the Walker River Lodge in Bridgeport. They are family owned, the rooms are nicely furnished and in good shape and they send me a Christmas card.....I usually stay there one night per year.

[Russ in California]

Originally Posted by SLOwag

Try the Walker River Lodge in Bridgeport. They are family owned, the rooms are nicely furnished and in good shape and they send me a Christmas card.....I usually stay there one night per year.

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that when I do a winter trip. Are they right on hiway 395?

[Brentbba]

Looks like it was a fun trip Russ. I had a tire that looked just like that after Death Valley.

How's the new job?

[spressomon]

The BW Lake View Lodge, we have heard, is nice too...in Lee Vining. We tried to get a stay booked there last spring with 2-weeks notice and they were booked...which is a good sign. But staying in either Bridgeport or Lee Vining affords numerous excursion potential!

[SLOwag]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SLOwag
Try the Walker River Lodge in Bridgeport. They are family owned, the rooms are nicely furnished and in good shape and they send me a Christmas card.....I usually stay there one night per year.

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that when I do a winter trip. Are they right on hiway 395?

Yep. On the south end of town just before the 182 turnoff to the East Walker River and Nevada.

[silvercruiser]

Did you eat at the Shell Station in Lee Vining? It's at the intersection of 395 and the Tioga pass. Seriously one of the best meals I've ever had. There is a restaurant at the back of the shell station. Rumor has it the chef was professionally trained at the Cordon Bleu....? I don't care where he was trained because the pork chops were unbelievable and the chocolate mouse cake was even better. Bonus...if you get there during the day you might be able to witness performers on the trapeze...quite a sight with Mono lake as the background.

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by silvercruiser

Did you eat at the Shell Station in Lee Vining? It's at the intersection of 395 and the Tioga pass. Seriously one of the best meals I've ever had. There is a restaurant at the back of the shell station. Rumor has it the chef was professionally trained at the Cordon Bleu....? I don't care where he was trained because the pork chops were unbelievable and the chocolate mouse cake was even better. Bonus...if you get there during the day you might be able to witness performers on the trapeze...quite a sight with Mono lake as the background.

I thought it was a Mobil station? Whatever it is I have heard the same thing. FYI: We ate at the bbq joint that always looks like it is hopp'n but it was just average. And there is a Swedish Bakery there too...but it has always been closed everytime we've been there...

[Russ in California]

Originally Posted by Brentbba

Looks like it was a fun trip Russ. I had a tire that looked just like that after Death Valley.

How's the new job?

Good trip, yes. Not as long as I would have liked but it was a bit cold at night.
New job good. It's different though. It's government babby! We don't sell parts, we account for them. A bit slower pace than I'm used to from NAPA. It's all good though.

I did not eat at the gas station. Only got gas there. I had all the provisions I needed and ate in camp. It's a good place to stop though.
Everytime I get home from a trip to Mono I can't wait to go back. Looking at the map for some other trails to piddle around on next time.

[silvercruiser]

Originally Posted by spressomon

I thought it was a Mobil station? Whatever it is I have heard the same thing. FYI: We ate at the bbq joint that always looks like it is hopp'n but it was just average. And there is a Swedish Bakery there too...but it has always been closed everytime we've been there...

You are correct...it is the Mobil station.

[Brentbba]

Glad to hear my friend. After such a long time at Napa, I'm sure there's an adjustment. Don't fall asleep counting the parts like Dan does tho. hehehe

[Russ in California]

Originally Posted by Brentbba

Glad to hear my friend. After such a long time at Napa, I'm sure there's an adjustment. Don't fall asleep counting the parts like Dan does tho. hehehe

Yes, it's quite a bit different. Even different than working at the Toyota Dealer years ago. We had a service dept. but it was also retail. Here, the job is done when it's done. It's alot better this week, especially since it's a 4 day week. heheheh!
thanks for thinking of me mate,