Coyote flats

[chicago]

Looking for some info on this run!!!
I know some of you had done this a couple years back.
Still looking for some wheeling opportunities for our annual pre blotch run.
Were gonna try and stay somewhat close to the olancha dunes so were not driving all over the park!!
Plan is to stay in a hotel or camp in the nearest town wed night and then find a decent trail to run in the AM. Go do some exploring and end up BACK in olancha in the evening!!
So were looking at some decent trails between bishop, big pine, independence, lone pine and olancha.

Any info/ experiences.... Please!!

K

 

[chicago]

Btw... Some of the trails that had been found via research...

Armstrong canyon
Coyote flats
Cactus flats
Alabama hills

Cerro gordo is out as we've done that numerous times.

Thanks for the help gents!!

 

[spressomon]

Assuming spring snow storms don't leave Coyote Flats too white : There are two ways to Coyote Flats: From the Bishop side which you could drive a Zubaru up...just lots of switchbacks; but a beautiful drive! To access CF from this side you take West Line Street (Hwy 168) west from downtown Bishop (this is a major intersection with traffic lights); turn left (south) on Reata Road and follow it south and southeast until you get to the power line substation. You pick up the trail at the power line substation. You basically follow up a wash the first couple miles of the trail before the trail switches left and up the north facing wall via switch backs. Incredible views!

The second way is from Big Pine. I've always wanted to at least attempt this route however I've always been with other folks that either couldn't or wouldn't . I've seen this route coined "Sugarloaf Trail" and also "Onion Creek Trail". You pick the trail head up on the west side of Big Pine. West on Glacier Lodge Road from Big Pine then turn right/north on Sugarloaf Road (may not be marked...dunno). Then another right on the actual trail right at 2 miles from where you turned off of GLR.

Having said that I think, because its a supposed Class 4 or possibly a little harder in sections, it would be perfect for your rig Keith!

The powers that be have been trying to close this route for a long time ; I assume its still open but you might want to do a little research first.

Here's a link with information about both routes including a phone number at the bottom of the linked page to call for closure info. http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php/20575-Inyo-NF-Coyote-Flat

Dan

 

[rusty_tlc]

Spresso, what was the trail you guys did when we went to DV? Remember we split off from the group because we had the Pop -Up, I want to say Silver canyon, but don't remember exactly. That might be a good option as well.

 

[spressomon]

Silver Canyon is just on the north side of Bishop; pick it up at Laws. The Silver Canyon trail goes up to the ridge of the White Mountains where you come to a 4-way (its actually a "T" at the immediate top of Silver Canyon trail...the east fork lies about 1/2 mile north of the top out of SCT): North to the Patriarch Grove; South to the Schulman Grove (and rolls farther south to pavement and Hwy 168 at Westgard Pass); or east down Wyman Creek trail...that takes you to the flats north of Eureka Dunes road.

Again...nothing more than a 2WD can typically navigate but incredible views. And if you never stood in the Bristlecone forest up top its something everyone should do!


One of my favorite loops is east on Echo Canyon and then back Titus. Love that loop! But that's on the east side of DV so maybe not logistically suited for your Blotch trip Keith.

 

[chicago]

Assuming spring snow storms don't leave Coyote Flats too white : There are two ways to Coyote Flats: From the Bishop side which you could drive a Zubaru up...just lots of switchbacks; but a beautiful drive! To access CF from this side you take West Line Street (Hwy 168) west from downtown Bishop (this is a major intersection with traffic lights); turn left (south) on Reata Road and follow it south and southeast until you get to the power line substation. You pick up the trail at the power line substation. You basically follow up a wash the first couple miles of the trail before the trail switches left and up the north facing wall via switch backs. Incredible views!

The second way is from Big Pine. I've always wanted to at least attempt this route however I've always been with other folks that either couldn't or wouldn't . I've seen this route coined "Sugarloaf Trail" and also "Onion Creek Trail". You pick the trail head up on the west side of Big Pine. West on Glacier Lodge Road from Big Pine then turn right/north on Sugarloaf Road (may not be marked...dunno). Then another right on the actual trail right at 2 miles from where you turned off of GLR.

Having said that I think, because its a supposed Class 4 or possibly a little harder in sections, it would be perfect for your rig Keith!

The powers that be have been trying to close this route for a long time ; I assume its still open but you might want to do a little research first.

Here's a link with information about both routes including a phone number at the bottom of the linked page to call for closure info. http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php/20575-Inyo-NF-Coyote-Flat

Dan

Thanks for that info dan!!
So, you theoretically COULD head up from N bishop and back down and drop into big pine????
The only rig that might be questionable is a rubicon on 33's w/ a mild lift!! He doesn't have a whole ton of wheeling experience on the rocks either!! It does sound appealing though!!! He would be game for it though!!!
How long of a run is it??? Day trip??
Ill look into that s exit from coyote flats!!

Know any of the other trails listed above!

 

[spressomon]

I can't speak for how much time the Sugarloaf to Big Pine leg would take but you should be able to the loop in one day. It would be a long day...

 

[chicago]

I can't speak for how much time the Sugarloaf to Big Pine leg would take but you should be able to the loop in one day. It would be a long day...

I just posted a question re. this leg of the trail in the events section too.
Ive been googling, and all I can come up wtih has been the "sugarloaf peak" and "Coyote flats" trail. Nothing on the sugarloaf trail.

My interest is definitely PIQUED THOUGH!!!!

Thanks!!

 

[chicago]

Seems that Roberto had run this! Never met the guy, but I know of him...
Thanks Roberto!!!

Yopo 4x4 - Club de Aventura Todo Terreno

Doesnt look TOO BAD!

 

[spressomon]

Now that you mention it I remember when Roberto and Dana did that run. Great to see the pics again especially of Dana!

And damn I miss Dana! His uncle lives here in Reno and Dana and his wife would come up around Christmas each year and we'd get together for breakfast. And the second time Sandy & I did Coyote Flats, and our first time with some of the Cali folks, we met Dana. And several other trips together. We are going to have a little memorial in Dana's honor/memory next month at Crankshaft Junction. That is where Andy, Pasquale and I, while on a DV trip, got the news of his death a couple years ago; that was a sad day for sure.

So we thought it would be fitting to take Andy's blown 2F crank (blown on our Explore Nevada 2011 run last summer) there to prop up.

Roberto and I were the original Team Yopo at the inaugural Sand Chef at Surf and Turf in 2006. We placed 4th/last but damn we had some fun!

 

[chicago]

Wow!! Cool back story dan!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!

Sorry to hear about his passing!!

K

 

[surfpig]

Silver Canyon is just on the north side of Bishop; pick it up at Laws. The Silver Canyon trail goes up to the ridge of the White Mountains where you come to a 4-way (its actually a "T" at the immediate top of Silver Canyon trail...the east fork lies about 1/2 mile north of the top out of SCT): North to the Patriarch Grove; South to the Schulman Grove (and rolls farther south to pavement and Hwy 168 at Westgard Pass); or east down Wyman Creek trail...that takes you to the flats north of Eureka Dunes road.

Again...nothing more than a 2WD can typically navigate but incredible views. And if you never stood in the Bristlecone forest up top its something everyone should do!


One of my favorite loops is east on Echo Canyon and then back Titus. Love that loop! But that's on the east side of DV so maybe not logistically suited for your Blotch trip Keith.

Lurking...



We're doing an Eastern Sierra trip in a couple weeks, ghost towns, hot springs, wheeling...



And I want to do the Wyman/Silver canyon traverse. Some of the trails are closed now, right? Dead horse canyon and Cottonwood creek?

I worked there 30 eek years ago restoring meadows and creekbeds for/from cattle grazing and such. This is a bit of a nostalgia tour for me, and an opportunity for the family to see some awesome scenery...

A lot has changed I'll bet...

n