Sailed on down hiway 108, getting to see all the quaint mountain towns (Mi-Wuk Villiage, Twain Harte, etc). Had lunch in another: Jamestown. Nice way to ease back into civilization.
Finally making it all the way home — through classic rush hour Bay Area traffic. And parked in our own driveway.
PJ shows off new shirt, PT shows off new beard
This is the easy way to unwind and unload: just shovel out the camper right into the laundry room. Then out to the back deck for congratulatory cocktails.
Leaving June Lake, but still in “lake mode,” we headed north to Mono Lake to check out the visitor’s center and learn about this unique “salt lake” with its strange tufas (salt tower formations).
Patrick on the nature trail around Mono Lake
Then on up 395 along the Eastern Sierras to find hiway 108 to Sonora Pass.
Top of the pass at nearly 10,000 ft elevation
No problem with snow or nightfall this time. And 108 is good paved road all the way.
Spectacular views all along Sonora Pass
Found a gem of a small campground, Mill Creek, for our last night out.
Campsite #8 — in the trees, alongside the creek
An idyllic small campground, and for once, plenty of room for us!
No driving/moving today. All day at the lake (June Lake).
Had an easy day, just hanging out at our friendly campground.
Kayaks for rent at convenient June Lake Marina
Found a kayak for rent at the marina next to us. Paddled all the way to the beach at the far end of the lake for a short swim in the glacier fed, but not-really-that-cold, lake.
Paddling back was upwind and a long slog. Earned us both cold beers from the marina maid.
Of course we couldn’t leave town without checking out that local brewery.
Joining the locals at JLB (June Lake Brewery) right up to closing (8 pm)
And then dinner in town at the (only) diner, Tiger Bar. Much local color. In shorts, kayak t-shirts, and water shoes, we fit right in.
An early start got us all the way up 395 to Mammoth Lakes resort for a lunch by one of the lakes.
Lunch spot Twin Lakes, with waterfallsA few tourist shots in town on the central plaza
Mammoth. Like a small Vail in the eastern Sierras. Upscale and uphill. Unfortunately the gondola was not operating today.
So on to June Lake, where our target campground, Silver Lake, was… you guessed it: full. Alternate June Lake Campground was at least as good and had one site left for us.
June Lake Campground at the edge of June Lake
This small national forest campground is tucked in between the lake and the mountains. And in between a marina and a resort. And only 10 minute walk to the tiny town of June Lake, which to its credit has its own brewery. Eureka!
Early start to get the truck out the dirt trail before there’s anyone driving in and we end up in a one way jam (it can happen).
Getting off the rocks and on the road
Then making a bee-line to the nearest Starbucks (they’re everywhere) in Pahrump, NV for breakfast. And internet connection. A good place to get the blog up to date.
After some restocking and reloading (gas, water, etc.) off we go on our day drive through the lowest place in America (and the hottest place on earth) : Death Valley, CA.
There’s no doubt where you are
Driving through on the only road there is.
Heading downhill from zero
Death Valley Junction, Furnace Creek, Zabrieski Point, Stovepipe Wells, Mesquite Flat Dunes. All sound pretty deadly. And it all was deadly hot. Truck door handles were almost to hot to use if left in the sun.
Miles and miles of hot dunes (123° F) at Mesquite Flats
Made it all the way through with no overheating. Thanks to impressive Ford air conditioning.
Then on to hiway 395 and up to Lone Pine, home of many western movie sets, they say.
Again our choice campground, Whitney Portal, was full. A long drive up a steep and narrow road to find that out. It is the starting point for Mt. Whitney hikers, so probably often full. Impressive place, though.
Second choice, Lone Pine Campground, just down the hill from Portal was just fine.
Parked in the shadow of Mt Whitney—hightest peak in the continental US
Late arrivals like us are grateful to find an empty slot. Still, it’s never too late for snacks and dinner. Nice end to another long day.
Obligatory wine and cheese time, this time with shrimps
Started the day with Patrick’s delicious coffee, and Peter’s delicious sausage muffins. Yum! All made in the wild (without a microwave).
Roughing it, Our way
Hiked the canyon trail. This, really, was like going on up the road–as it continued to peter out. From gravel road to dirt road, to ATV track, and gradually becoming a single path through the trees up a narrow canyon along a small creek. Beautiful.
Patrick shows hiking hat, Peter shows hiking pose
Saw no one. No traffic, no noise, no people, and only one small lizard. Made peace with the land.
The peacemakers, scruffy guys in front of craggy peaks
Back at camp, Peter installed our new hammock. Jumped right in. And fell right out. Next attempt went well and served for an afternoon nap.
Made an early play to get into first choice Fletcher View campground, but full up again. Today is 4th of July after all.
So with all systems checked out and working, we decided to plunge right in to “dry camping.” Headed out for Mack’s Canyon Open Campground, “disbursed camping” in the wilderness.
Mack’s signpost — should include “road narrows!”
A long 5 miles of 4-wheel drive advised gravel/dirt track later, at the end of the “road” and here we are. All the way up the canyon; no one, and nothing, around. And no cell service, so no internet! Dry camping indeed. Totally dry.
Up the creek in Mack’s Canyon
It took some “rocky engineering” to find a spot and get the truck level. Well, level enough. “Engineer On Board”. Good thing.
Ford F-150 on the rocks
And finally, set up for evening wine & cheese time (complete with trailer trash lights– knew we’d need that generator).
Early United flight to Las Vegas, packed tight in Economy.
Lyft ride from LAS airport to Cruise America location in Henderson (107° F) to pickup a pickup truck camper.
Shop at HomeDepot (108° F) for a portable generator.
PJ steps up to full-size truck
And final pit stop at WalMart for food and provisions.
Then on the road to our planned full-service campground, Fletcher View, only 70 minutes drive, near Mt Charleston…
Full signs not appreciated
…which was as nice as expected, and 79°, but alas, full.
So on to our second choice (no power, no water) campground nearby at Hilltop.
Hilltop Campground (8,400 ft, 74° F) has some great views of the surrounding peaks. Oh, there was some contention over who had legitimate claim to the last campsite (we did!). Thanks, Ranger Bob.
Peter points out who really won the last campsite.
It was a good first night shake-down cruise: Got the new generator working, got the camper stove working, even got the microwave on line. Air conditioner not needed. Whew! Hot and cold running water inside–nice. This thing even has an inside toilet and shower–which were not needed at this campground.
Got a gig to move a camper truck from Las Vegas to the Bay Area. More like half price camping than a paid gig, but anyway off we go. Gonna be Leaving Las Vegas in a truck and wandering the eastern Sierras on our way back. Just have to get the truck to Newark, CA by next Wednesday (July 11th). Unscheduled, unstructured, and somewhat unplanned: the free spirit way to go.
Day 0: Packing
So packing our bags, boxes, and all the camping stuff we can check or carry on, for an early morning flight to LV. The rest of the equipment, and anything else we find we need, we’ll buy in Nevada.
Peter packing pickled peppersCamping basics: wine and food …oh, and hiking shoes
