fun stops on 395?

[Sierra Lady]

^ Yup, very neat place. I provided a link to Fossil Falls, also in my post on the first page.

Here's a link to my Lone Pine trip '08 album...check out our Fossil Falls adventure starting on Page 3:

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/S ... -28-30-08/

Thanks to SkierBob for the other suggestions...places I didn't know about!

[quacque]

^ Yup, very neat place. I provided a link to Fossil Falls, also in my post on the first page.

Here's a link to my Lone Pine trip '08 album...check out our Fossil Falls adventure starting on Page 3:

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/S ... -28-30-08/

Thanks to SkierBob for the other suggestions...places I didn't know about!

The last couple times I went by there, it seemed teh road was closed . . . but since I've never gone to the site, maybe I was misinterpreting the signs.

[SkierBob]

^ Yup, very neat place. I provided a link to Fossil Falls, also in my post on the first page.

Here's a link to my Lone Pine trip '08 album...check out our Fossil Falls adventure starting on Page 3:

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/S ... -28-30-08/

Thanks to SkierBob for the other suggestions...places I didn't know about!

The last couple times I went by there, it seemed teh road was closed . . . but since I've never gone to the site, maybe I was misinterpreting the signs.

It was closed for a few months, when I drove by last week it was open again.

[woollyskeeper]

Thanks for all the great tips! I made the drive south from Mammoth recently and made A LOT of stops. There's some really great stuff out there. It even makes me regret all the times I raced by them in time trial mode to get to Mammoth. Regardless, the first two blog entries about my stops are here:

http://livevibe.mammothmountain.com/?cat=33

[SurfnSnowboard]

I look forward to reading more entries as you explore more of the area. I haven't stopped at the film museum yet but it looks pretty cool. I really enjoyed Fossil Falls but I found it a very difficult place to photograph!

[Sierra Lady]

Very cool vid of the Fossil Falls area, WK. Glad to hear you're making some stops along the 395 and smellin' the roses! Look forward to more installments.

[BluffDweller]

I've been to Fossil Falls twice. Came across a creepy looking guy walking out of the pit toilet once, but for some reason we keep going back.

Having said that, I suggest a side-trip to Onion Valley.











Pure, uncensored, Sierra Sublimity.

[cheapski]

Are there onions there? I love onions.

Usually I just find mosquitoes.

[BluffDweller]

Are there onions there? I love onions.

Usually I just find mosquitoes.

I found Foxtail Pines, waterfalls, Golden Trout, scree, abandoned mines, a snow-survey shed... but no onions. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Next time I'll keep an eye out for them and let you know... seeing as mosquitoes can't leave you alone.

[Sierra Lady]

It's an old Indian trading route. Maybe they traded onions!

I've always wanted to see and hike this area, too. Thanks BluffDweller for reminding me.

[cheapski]

I found Foxtail Pines, waterfalls, Golden Trout, scree, abandoned mines, a snow-survey shed... but no onions.

Maybe onions would be good with trout? There's also Little Onion Valley, where I'm sure pearl onions can be had.

[BluffDweller]

I found Foxtail Pines, waterfalls, Golden Trout, scree, abandoned mines, a snow-survey shed... but no onions.

Maybe onions would be good with trout? There's also Little Onion Valley, where I'm sure pearl onions can be had.

And so we turn this into a food thread.

Back on topic: These "hanging valleys", like Onion valley, can be found up and down the eastern slope and each of them are stunning. If y'all get the chance, check out Whitney Portal, Big Pine Canyon, and Horseshoe Meadow.

I recommend you check out this link; a good resource for side-trips both on and off the Owens Valley floor:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/suv/index.html

In addition to each of the above locales, this document has information on reaching Cerro Gordo, Mazourka Canyon, and alternate routes on the Owens Valley floor to consider rather than sticking to Hwy 395. A paper version can be found at various locations in Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, and Bishop. Branch out and have fun.

[Sierra Lady]

^ Does that publication look familiar, LUVTOSKI? I gave you my copy when you were here over Memorial Day weekend.

These are available at the M.L. Welcome Center.

[aberg38]

Did someone say Onion Valley?

Lookin down at Independence:


Gilbert Lake lookin east:


Gilbert Lake lookin west:


Little Pot-Hole Lake waterfall:

[LarBear]

Great posts. More information than anyone cold use in one trip. I wouldlist my top 4 as :

Fossil Falls-because it is so easy to get to and so interesting
Alabama Hills-especially if you take the road all the way back to 395 as a loop trip so you can see skull rock
Independence Eastern Sierra Museum-because hey have tons of stuff that is just "there" including old houses
And for shame-no one ,mentioned Red Rock Canyon and going into the formations you can see from the road and the canyons that you can’t see.


And finally, all fo the rest fo the great places mentioned to see on the way up or down. Years ago I started to see one place on each trip up or down , especially in the summer when it doesn’t get dark as soon.
Have fun.