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Glad you got down off the mountain before SHTF.
Events/Trails August Sierras, Dates - 8/17-21
- Thread starter elripster
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- Thread starter
- #62
Well another trip to Coyote is in the books. It was definitely adventure.
We had 3 rigs, my 80, Landcruising's 80, and nckwltn's 100. The road was rougher in spots but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. My dad road with us because he doesn't have sliders, etc... on his GX but I think it could have made it unscathed with a little extra care in a few spots. For me, this was the trip where I got to enjoy all of the mechanical issues vs. helping others with theirs.
We decided to spend the first night in Bishop so we could meet up with Nick in the morning and all head up together. The weather was nice and we hit up the pool.
The next morning we set for the air down area. Maybe an omen, who knows, but I got my first puncture - ever - on an offroad excursion. I have beating on vehicles since I as a teenager and I'll be 50 in November for some context. It was one of those perforated metal pieces to put joists, etc... together with one nail in it that found my trailer's tire. Fortunately, between us we had plenty of plugs and tools. I couldn't find my plug tool so Nick lent me his and I added that to my Amazon basket.
The way up was trending towards uneventful and actually quite quick. With only 3 of us we were able to make quick work of the first climbing section. And then near the spot where Tim had suspension trouble my swing out tire carrier swung out. The catch had fractured. Closer examination shows corrosion suggesting it cracked a long time ago and finally failed. No problem, applied a ratchet strap and continued. Damage: The U bolt catch and gas spring.
You have all seen a ton of pictures of the way up so I'll just post a link if you want to browse all of my photos...
drive.google.com
We had 3 rigs, my 80, Landcruising's 80, and nckwltn's 100. The road was rougher in spots but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. My dad road with us because he doesn't have sliders, etc... on his GX but I think it could have made it unscathed with a little extra care in a few spots. For me, this was the trip where I got to enjoy all of the mechanical issues vs. helping others with theirs.
We decided to spend the first night in Bishop so we could meet up with Nick in the morning and all head up together. The weather was nice and we hit up the pool.
The next morning we set for the air down area. Maybe an omen, who knows, but I got my first puncture - ever - on an offroad excursion. I have beating on vehicles since I as a teenager and I'll be 50 in November for some context. It was one of those perforated metal pieces to put joists, etc... together with one nail in it that found my trailer's tire. Fortunately, between us we had plenty of plugs and tools. I couldn't find my plug tool so Nick lent me his and I added that to my Amazon basket.
The way up was trending towards uneventful and actually quite quick. With only 3 of us we were able to make quick work of the first climbing section. And then near the spot where Tim had suspension trouble my swing out tire carrier swung out. The catch had fractured. Closer examination shows corrosion suggesting it cracked a long time ago and finally failed. No problem, applied a ratchet strap and continued. Damage: The U bolt catch and gas spring.
You have all seen a ton of pictures of the way up so I'll just post a link if you want to browse all of my photos...
Coyote Flats 2023 - Google Drive
drive.google.com
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #63
Let's get to the good stuff. Upon reach camp we were greeted with...
The lake that is usually dried up by the time we get there was quite full and very beautiful. It's probably only 4-6' at the center but was probably 2' deeper at it's max waterline. The temps were low enough and there was breeze so we didn't have to deal with lots of bugs. Just a few here and there.
The lake that is usually dried up by the time we get there was quite full and very beautiful. It's probably only 4-6' at the center but was probably 2' deeper at it's max waterline. The temps were low enough and there was breeze so we didn't have to deal with lots of bugs. Just a few here and there.
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- #64
We setup camp and prepared for precipitation that never materialized while we were there. We had lunch. My dad whipped up some bluefin burritos... so yummy!
The kids got the rope swing back in order and made good use of it...
We found a spot to do a little plinking. <$10 of wood and some zip ties and we have target frames.
The kids got the rope swing back in order and made good use of it...
We found a spot to do a little plinking. <$10 of wood and some zip ties and we have target frames.
- Thread starter
- #65
We ended doing an easier dinner and took a hike to a patch of snow. As always, 1.5 miles is a lot farther up there than it is down at sea level. There are a lot more wild flowers out there than in years passed.
- Thread starter
- #66
That evening I sat on my camping chair that failed the foot rest portion the week prior to find that the hardware holding the legs had left the chat. Damage: My camping chair.
We all had a great nights sleep after such a full day of fun and adventure. Saturday morning, however, we had to make a decision regarding remaining up on the Flat. We really wanted to fish Baker lake but the weather was moving steadily our way so we decided to pack up camp, head to Baker, check the weather when we got service on the south end, and decide if hiking to Baker was a good idea. The weather report suggested that we'd be hiking back in rain and possible thunder storms so we decided to head down the mountain. We figured after we aired up and had lunch we see what our options were to continue the trip.
Allow me to digress just a bit. Earlier this year I had my PS pump go out after replacing it with a non-Toyota new brand. I decided to do the buy once cry once thing and spend $600 on a new pump and pressure hose since that hose was original. I also replaced the low pressure hoses. After all, you don't want to risk losing something critical like steering in a remote place like Coyote Flat and then I lost power steering on our way back down from Coyote Flat. I added my extra fluid at the air down place and further inspected it where we had lunch at a park. There was oil everywhere but we eventually spotted the leak at the U portion of the pressure line forward swaged connection. I tried stop leak, etc... but leaked under pressure to a point then stopped leaking. At this juncture I had to call it, I could adventure no more so Nick headed home while Carl and I stayed the night to leave early Sunday for home.
I did some parts shopping in the hotel. I figured why spend almost $300 on a Toyota pressure line if it's just going to fail. I could get a NAPA line for a little over $50 and by say 5 of them for that price. This is when I learned a money saving tip.
Monday saving tip: When I put in my Escondido NAPA as "My Store", that pressure hose is $102. If put the Bishop NAPA as "My Store", that price is $53. So, I set my store as Bishop, added 2 to the cart, and shipped to home to my place in Escondido. Note that the pump was the same price regardless and I ordered one. If this pump survived I'll just keep the other as a spare but got a 2fer on the hose using this trick.
Anyway, we hit zero traffic Sunday heading home. I mean zero. Not on the 2 lane part of 395, not down the pass, not on the 215/60 mess, none at all. I guess the storm scared everyone inside. So, Carl and I got 15 and 14 MPG respectively on the way back. Land Cruiser records possibly or at least for ours.
My total damage for the trip:
- Supertarp. It kept us dry in Upper Michigan circa 2008-11. It served us many other times. But it's rings ripped out and it gave us its last.
- The kids camping table. The plastic became brittle and failed in multiple places. Time for a new one.
- My bumper parts. I ordered them from 4x4labs and also the 2 can holder that I didn't get way back when but should have.
- My steering, all parts ordered.
- My camping chair, got to order a new one.
Frank
We all had a great nights sleep after such a full day of fun and adventure. Saturday morning, however, we had to make a decision regarding remaining up on the Flat. We really wanted to fish Baker lake but the weather was moving steadily our way so we decided to pack up camp, head to Baker, check the weather when we got service on the south end, and decide if hiking to Baker was a good idea. The weather report suggested that we'd be hiking back in rain and possible thunder storms so we decided to head down the mountain. We figured after we aired up and had lunch we see what our options were to continue the trip.
Allow me to digress just a bit. Earlier this year I had my PS pump go out after replacing it with a non-Toyota new brand. I decided to do the buy once cry once thing and spend $600 on a new pump and pressure hose since that hose was original. I also replaced the low pressure hoses. After all, you don't want to risk losing something critical like steering in a remote place like Coyote Flat and then I lost power steering on our way back down from Coyote Flat. I added my extra fluid at the air down place and further inspected it where we had lunch at a park. There was oil everywhere but we eventually spotted the leak at the U portion of the pressure line forward swaged connection. I tried stop leak, etc... but leaked under pressure to a point then stopped leaking. At this juncture I had to call it, I could adventure no more so Nick headed home while Carl and I stayed the night to leave early Sunday for home.
I did some parts shopping in the hotel. I figured why spend almost $300 on a Toyota pressure line if it's just going to fail. I could get a NAPA line for a little over $50 and by say 5 of them for that price. This is when I learned a money saving tip.
Monday saving tip: When I put in my Escondido NAPA as "My Store", that pressure hose is $102. If put the Bishop NAPA as "My Store", that price is $53. So, I set my store as Bishop, added 2 to the cart, and shipped to home to my place in Escondido. Note that the pump was the same price regardless and I ordered one. If this pump survived I'll just keep the other as a spare but got a 2fer on the hose using this trick.
Anyway, we hit zero traffic Sunday heading home. I mean zero. Not on the 2 lane part of 395, not down the pass, not on the 215/60 mess, none at all. I guess the storm scared everyone inside. So, Carl and I got 15 and 14 MPG respectively on the way back. Land Cruiser records possibly or at least for ours.
My total damage for the trip:
- Supertarp. It kept us dry in Upper Michigan circa 2008-11. It served us many other times. But it's rings ripped out and it gave us its last.
- The kids camping table. The plastic became brittle and failed in multiple places. Time for a new one.
- My bumper parts. I ordered them from 4x4labs and also the 2 can holder that I didn't get way back when but should have.
- My steering, all parts ordered.
- My camping chair, got to order a new one.
Frank
- Thread starter
- #67
I forgot to add a shout out and tremendous thanks to Landcruising and nckwltn for making the trip. Adventures are just that and sometimes you have to cut them short but they are always memorable. This one wouldn't have happened if they didn't come along.
Frank
Frank
Nice write up, and some good photos from Daniel. Tell him thanks!
After lunch on Saturday, my kids and I head down 395 toward LA. We did hit some pretty solid off-and-on rains between the Big and Lone Pines, and actually had a bit of a tail wind along part of the drive south. Must have been air rushing in toward the low pressure. I'm glad we weren't up at 10k feet when the rain storms came through, we would have been under a tarp or in a car to stay dry... it was a bone drenching rains at times.
Between rain showers and after a fair bit of complaining by my kids, we stopped at the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery. It's not far off 395 at all, and worth a stop if nothing more than to feed the fish in the pond. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived they were closed for the day, so feeding the fish was all we did.. but my kids loved it! Put another mark on the board of "kids complain, parents do it anyway, and kids love it"
We got home around 7pm on Saturday. I unloaded just about everything from the 100 and tidied up a little around the outside knowing that rain and winds would be arriving soon.
Was happy to have come along for the abbreviation version of the trip, I don't think any of us had the storm on our radar (pun intended) until we were basically already driving up 395. An adventurous year for sure!
After lunch on Saturday, my kids and I head down 395 toward LA. We did hit some pretty solid off-and-on rains between the Big and Lone Pines, and actually had a bit of a tail wind along part of the drive south. Must have been air rushing in toward the low pressure. I'm glad we weren't up at 10k feet when the rain storms came through, we would have been under a tarp or in a car to stay dry... it was a bone drenching rains at times.
Between rain showers and after a fair bit of complaining by my kids, we stopped at the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery. It's not far off 395 at all, and worth a stop if nothing more than to feed the fish in the pond. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived they were closed for the day, so feeding the fish was all we did.. but my kids loved it! Put another mark on the board of "kids complain, parents do it anyway, and kids love it"
We got home around 7pm on Saturday. I unloaded just about everything from the 100 and tidied up a little around the outside knowing that rain and winds would be arriving soon.
Was happy to have come along for the abbreviation version of the trip, I don't think any of us had the storm on our radar (pun intended) until we were basically already driving up 395. An adventurous year for sure!
Looks awesome might be headed up there in a couple weeks. Mind sharing the location of that campsite by the lake?
Bummed we didn't see you up there, sounds like we had the same Baker plan foiled by weather. After spending Thursday and Friday nights at Funnel lake we headed down Saturday around noon.
For others looking to go up, road was rather easy imo. Id take a stock 4x4 with 31" tires and a good driver. Also told my brother who was supposed to come with us that his 2wd lifted econoline with 33's and a rear locker would have been fine.
The amount of water up there was impressive. Coyote lake filled. Lots of random ponds and wetlands made for a great time. Weather was rather perfect. We hiked up the mountain behind Funnel Lake just shy of 12k feet and then over above Coyote lake and had great views. The hiked back down to Rocky Bottom lake that was so clear and cooled off in the water.
Great trip and hopefully I sync up with the group next year as there are plenty of places up in the flats I have never been. Both times we have grabbed the Lake Spot and stayed there.
For others looking to go up, road was rather easy imo. Id take a stock 4x4 with 31" tires and a good driver. Also told my brother who was supposed to come with us that his 2wd lifted econoline with 33's and a rear locker would have been fine.
The amount of water up there was impressive. Coyote lake filled. Lots of random ponds and wetlands made for a great time. Weather was rather perfect. We hiked up the mountain behind Funnel Lake just shy of 12k feet and then over above Coyote lake and had great views. The hiked back down to Rocky Bottom lake that was so clear and cooled off in the water.
Great trip and hopefully I sync up with the group next year as there are plenty of places up in the flats I have never been. Both times we have grabbed the Lake Spot and stayed there.
Seeing those lake pictures makes me want to try and go back in a couple of weeks!
High level directions are here: Events/Trails - August Sierras, Dates - 8/17-21 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/august-sierras-dates-8-17-21.1307704/ but coordinates are: 37.22964, -118.49297
- Thread starter
- #73
That camp spot has excellent wind protection. It's the first pic in the first post. It's basically the first right once you are on the Flat.
I wouldn't mind trying to get up there before snow falls to get some fishing in...
Frank
I wouldn't mind trying to get up there before snow falls to get some fishing in...
Frank
Lets go!
Epic. So much water! The report has me looking forward to some fall fishing. Looks like a great time. 
- Thread starter
- #77
Well after hashing through the calendar, which got more stuff added to it, I can't get away for 4ish days in time to beat the Sierra snow. Life goes insane with school, sports, and scouts once school starts. The next chance I'd get would be in November but it will be snowing by then, or usually is. That said, I turn 50 this November so if a trip came up that wasn't over Thanksgiving (camping that weekend in the Central Coast) I could probably use my bday to extract the free time.
Frank
Frank
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