Coyote Flats info needed!!!

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chicago

chicago

Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Threads
434
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9,610
Location
Reno, Nevada
Hey all,
I have questions re. the Coyote Flats trail off of Bishop Ca.
The north access seems pretty straight forward, but I have heard RUMOR that there is a SOUTH part of the trail that drops down into Big Pine????
It is that end of the trail that Im most curious about!
Has anyone DONE THIS part of the trail? Whats the terrain like? If I were to run the WHOLE THING (North to South) APPROXIMATELY, how long would it take??
Any pics, info or other wise will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Keith
 
It looks like it dumps you out near Glacier lodge. I have that guidebook at home, I'll try to remember to check later. I used to work up there, it's a beautiful place!

Coyote Flat Trail Topo Map
 
surfpig said:
It looks like it dumps you out near Glacier lodge. I have that guidebook at home, I'll try to remember to check later. I used to work up there, it's a beautiful place!

Coyote Flat Trail Topo Map
Click to expand...

That'd be great man. I NEED a book, so if you could... Just lemme know the name and I'll pick it up!!
There's hardly ANY info on this leg of the trail googling, but I did stumble on a slideshow that Roberto did on it several years back!!
Hoping he might post up on this topic!!
 
The trail that used to dump you out at Glacier Lodge (the trail that runs right by Grouse Spring) has long been closed off for motorized travel; its barricaded.

The current trail exits/starts just west of Big Pine by a mile or two...this is the one chicago is asking about (this trail runs on the north flanks of Sugarloaf & Piper Peak).

Also, once a upon a time, there used to be a trail that connected with the above trail just north of Piper Peak. You picked this trail up in Shannon Canyon north of Big Pine. However I think this trail has disappeared and/or closed off now?
 
This won't really answer your question but will give you a bit more info.

I live in Big Pine & have not been able to get a clear answer myself. I have asked the Forest Service & of course they said..no.. closed. I asked one of my 4x4 club buds & he said there is a trail that is better suited for quads but that a well equiped vehicle (like yours, his also) COULD make it but that it was sketchy. Didn't really get into if it was legal or not.

We have a run going this weekend, out of Big Pine but not Coyote, & I will try to get you some more info. I am pretty sure the buddy that told me it was sketchy has done it before...& I will see him this weekend.

I was up off Glacier Rd. yesterday, & while we had a mild winter, some 2 & 3 rated trails could now be rated 3 & 4 and maybe 5 in spots. North to South would be best tho.

Will try to get more info this weekend.

John
 
John McVicker said:
This won't really answer your question but will give you a bit more info.

I live in Big Pine & have not been able to get a clear answer myself. I have asked the Forest Service & of course they said..no.. closed. I asked one of my 4x4 club buds & he said there is a trail that is better suited for quads but that a well equiped vehicle (like yours, his also) COULD make it but that it was sketchy. Didn't really get into if it was legal or not.

We have a run going this weekend, out of Big Pine but not Coyote, & I will try to get you some more info. I am pretty sure the buddy that told me it was sketchy has done it before...& I will see him this weekend.

I was up off Glacier Rd. yesterday, & while we had a mild winter, some 2 & 3 rated trails could now be rated 3 & 4 and maybe 5 in spots. North to South would be best tho.

Will try to get more info this weekend.

John
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Thnaks for that info John!!!
I sent you a PM, but Ill post this here as well...

Any other trails worth checking out between Bishop and Olancha?
Doesnt need to be insane hardcore wheeling, but SOME challenge would be fun!
Were trying to stay within a reasonable distance to Olancha where the run kicks off from! Again..this is a small group of rigs (4). Two of which are well built, One is mildly built and the 4th basically stock w/ a pretty green driver at the helm.

Apprecaite the info!
 
Keith, you have PM. Hope you have a great trip & hope to have more info for you guys after this weekend.

John
 
Yea that is a great area for exploring.I have been up to the White Mountains to check out the Bristle Cone forest.Very cool up there.I did a trail out of Bishop called Silver Canyon rd. Pretty easy back then(damm I think 15 years ago) It goes up behind the Laws Railroad Museum.I remember a lot of other trails once I got up there.

I have the Sierra Nevada Byways book by Tony Huegel(copyright 1994) It has the White Mountains Loop(trip 32,page 104,105).The Coyote Flat trail is also listed as trip 31,page 100,101.Really cool books this guys writes about fun trails.I am sure there are revised copy's.Check it out.
 
I organize and plan an offroad motorcycle ride each year from Mojave to Mammoth, 600 miles in 3 days...all dirt! We usually go through Coyote Flats and finish the second day in Bishop.

There is a South trail down from (or up to) Coyote. It brings you out just South of Keogh Hot Springs, IMHO, the trail is not passable in a normal 4X4, maybe something extreme, but not in my 60!

If you look to West of 395 just South of Keogh, you will see a few electric transmission towers going up a very rocky and steep hill. Look carefully and you will see the trail. It has many sharp switchbacks and is very steep and extremely rocky.

There is also a way trail down to the West from above the old military airport at Coyote. Last time I rode it, it was a motorcycle only due to a landslide. But until the snow clears and someone takes a good look who knows.

Coyote is a cool place and the lakes are a great camp location. Hope you go.

Doug
 
Keith,

I have Roger Mitchell's "Inyo-Mono SUV Trails" and his "Eastern Sierra" trails books and they are worthwhile purchases. In addition to numerous trails I was previously unaware of in these respective areas he does a great job of discussing the geology and history of the specific trails/areas too.

The typical downside to all of these types of guide books is: Subsequent to their publishing dates the governmental trail closures and/or the annual impact rain/snow and seismic activity imparts on the same trails...that ultimately can effect travel success on many of these trails...

Dan
 
jsuthey said:
If you want I can send you photo copy's of the trails.Just Pm me an address and I can just mail it to you.

John
Click to expand...

spressomon said:
Keith,

I have Roger Mitchell's "Inyo-Mono SUV Trails" and his "Eastern Sierra" trails books and they are worthwhile purchases. In addition to numerous trails I was previously unaware of in these respective areas he does a great job of discussing the geology and history of the specific trails/areas too.

The typical downside to all of these types of guide books is: Subsequent to their publishing dates the governmental trail closures and/or the annual impact rain/snow and seismic activity imparts on the same trails...that ultimately can effect travel success on many of these trails...




Dan
Click to expand...


Thanks Gents!!
I did stop and pick up a copy of the Roger Mitchell book! Just perused it, but its GREAT so far!
Since the weather is so s***ty right now, Ill camp out in the house a read this eve!!!
 
John McVicker said:
Keith, you have PM. Hope you have a great trip & hope to have more info for you guys after this weekend.

John
Click to expand...

Keith,

Today @ our club run I talked to three of our members who have in the last 2/3 years run this entire trail, Bishop to Big Pine. Here is some info that may help your planning.

A) The trail is open & legal.
B) Most competent drivers w/only a well equipped rig should have no problem. However, you will likely come away w/Sierra Pinstriping.
C) The south end does come out on Glacier road close to Big Pine.
D) I suggested earlier that it would be best to go north to south. They all said it really makes no difference. South to north would be fine if that was your preference.

Sorry, I forgot to ask how long the trail takes, but from what I know about Coyote, & what I can imagine about the south part I would plan on a full & long day. We usually make Coyote an overnighter...there is a whole world to explore up there. Mining, hunting, old WW 2 landing strips, lakes, fishing, on & on.

At the moment I don't have access to my off road books, so I don't know if there is a guide to get you all the way through the trail you want to do...but the other day I was just messing around out of Big Pine/Glacier Road. I was on what is called the Warren Bench trail. I think you can look that one up...that is the trail you would start on out of Big Pine to worm your way over to Coyote & exit down into Bishop. But as w/all trails, there are many off shoot trails, so you really need a book or a off road gps. He said this trail is on his Lowrance.

Hope this helps your planning.

John
 
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John,
Your info has helped GREATLY!!
because were going to have a "green" driver with an essentially stock rig, I think well stick w/ a tamer trail.
were looking pretty hard at the marzouka canyon/ peak trail and possibly running it as a loop back to big pine. Sounds (from reading and researching) that it's pretty mild, but there are some fun opportunities for the more built rigs and experienced drivers?? Also, some of the old mines along the way are intriguing too.
First hand info is GREAT!! thanks again for posting up!!
I think we had actually done part of the marzouka peak coming out of Papoose flats a few years back.
It will be cool to re explore without having to rush through it. Last time it was COLD. And WINDY and the last day of the run, so everyone was about ready to head home.
 
Keith,

Mazourka is a great choice for a green driver.

It has no drop offs, the most that is likely to happen is maybe a gentle tug if one makes a mistake. At the towers the view is something to behold. And it's a very interesting area all the way back over to Big Pine.

Good choice.

John
 
John McVicker said:
Keith,

Mazourka is a great choice for a green driver.

It has no drop offs, the most that is likely to happen is maybe a gentle tug if one makes a mistake. At the towers the view is something to behold. And it's a very interesting area all the way back over to Big Pine.

Good choice.

John
Click to expand...

Lol!!
NO DROP OFFS?!? That's kind of a bummer!! :)
 
Well...no drop offs from hwy 395 all the way to the radio towers at the top of Mazourka Peak. And that's where the best view is.

But you can find a bunch of steep drop offs on the many trails from the Peak as you find your way over & towards Big Pine/hwy 168. Plenty of mines to explore in that area...and they always seem to be at the very top of a steep trail. You can get to the towers at the Peak fairly quickly, but you can spend all day if you wish, exploring & getting over towards Big Pine. And as the crow flies that's less than 20 miles. Sounds like a good choice for your purpose.

And if you feel adventerous after that ...you are only 30 mins from the start of Armstrong Cyn. that you mentioned. And from there you can....well there are a whole bunch of great trails in this area. Have fun!

John
 
Thanks man!!
And thanks for all the info!!
It's been a great help.

K
 
Snow on trail to Coyote Flats?

Im planning on taking a trip to Coyote Flats this weekend, wondering if anybody knows if the trail is open or has too much snow on it to get through. Im planning on take the north to south trail, but would be ok taking the other way. Whichever is open.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Dave, I was up there this past weekend.

Went up out of Bishop, north to south & encounterd a small amount of snow on the trail but nothing to worry about. There is a storm coming in this weekend which may change that, so keep an eye out for that.

We got all the way up to the Flats, most areas were accessable but we decided not to go over to Baker Creek because of the snow. If our life depended on it, we maybe could have made it, but there was still plenty of areas to explore...w/o snow.

We hung a left & made it all the way over to Sugarloaf Peak & had lunch overlooking Glaicier Road & the town of Big Pine. Returned to Bishop the same way we entered w/no problems.

If the area doesn't get snow this weekend you should be fine. have fun !

John
 
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